Well, as promised i've made time to get on here for a long overdue update......where have 4 months gone?!
Since my last 'entry' i've been playing with electrics, carb and interior plus some shows in between too!
Firstly i'd had enough of the bucket seats and they simply had to go. Nothing wrong with the seats themselves but, the drivers had been fitted by bastardizing the original runner but badly. Resulting in when slid back as far as possible only a midget would be comfortable, whereas my knees were around my ears! And the original seats were offset whereas this seemed to be overlooked by the weekend tinkerer that fitted them.
This mean't the driving experience had so far consisted of my left shoulder jammed against the door and having to reach diagonally to the right to operate the pedals and steering!
Passenger seat was first out though, and this wasn't hard as it was only screwed down at the rear giving an instant recline when accelerating. This had unbelievably passed an mot recently too!
Both original pairs of runners were ruined so new universal sets from Ratsport were fitted with very small modifications.
So i'm now pleased to say i'm back on the originals which are so bloomin comfortable compared to rock solid buckets mated with lowered suspension! The passenger seat is in great condition, but the drivers needs attention when I get around to it.......
You may also clock the steering wheel. Another original part that luckily came with the car! In great condition again, and with my aim of giving the car more of a feel of a classic but with 'period style fast road modifications', I was eager to replace the tiny (in comparison) Escort RS wheel that was fitted.
I love the more authentic feel now, but with the harnesses on standard seats and the factory gauge cluster center console, it still has a slightly racey feel.
As a comparison, this is the old look: (note the original Halfords gear knob and pedals which have also been banished!):
As I say, the buckets were in great condition and sold on ebay on fri for £175 the pair, which I was very pleased with and even more so when the guy told me they were going to find a new home in a local Mk1 Escort project!
Next port of call was the engine, a great runner but badly let down by the awful Solex 35 ddist carb!
I looked into getting it rebuilt with no success as, the problems I was having with it grinding internally and not starting when hot were fairly terminal as the parts to remedy this just aren't available, even from Germany.
But while having it assessed at a local classic car restorer (DLF Classics of Woodbridge) The owner, Dom, found a straight forward conversion kit from Weber!.......
So i'm now sporting a 36 DGAV!! ;D
And with the addition of a solid state fuel pump hidden under the battery tray replacing the leaky mechanical one that was only managing a dribble, she's singing nicely!
My good friend Martin given the honors of crawling under to fit pump:
While she was in at DLF Classics though, I asked if they could address some quirky electrical issues.....ie. the newly fitted air horns only firing when the lights were turned on?! And the rear light blowing after 10 mins use every time! And simlilar on the front sidelights.....
Turned out this 'small' issue was the result of a MUCH bigger one!
Looks as if when the engine was refitted a simple error of refitting the plug on the fuse carrier one port too far to the left had made two fuses redundant.
But instead of tracing back the subsequent fault of losing light and horn etc, therefor finding this small oversight.......some numpty went ahead and piggy backed everything that was dead from others things. Like wiring one headlight to the other and jamming the horn feed in there for good measure!!!
This, in time had resulted in the loom melting and causing multiple shorts just below the steering column. So 'Nina' could have easily gone up in smoke.
Remedying and unraveling this mess took 6hrs but i'm glad to say she's sorted now and everything works perfectly and is neat and tidy. A big thank you to the guys at DLF!
This is where she sat ALL day:
Mean time, I gave a spruce up ahead of the first mot since i've owned her:And she passed with flying colours!!!! ;D ;D ;D
Jobs to do now are:
-Electric ignition kit (as she's hesitating low down the revs on acceleration possibly due to the bearings in the dizzy gear as they are very worn. I'm hoping the kit i've just ordered from Accuspark sorts this!)
-New rocker gasket on left bank (i replaced both when I got her but this didn't take and is now leaking)
-Remove mechanical fuel pump now electric one has proven it's worth and blank off the hole.
-And, when i've decided my show season is done, the alternator is having the bearings replaced as they're starting to grumble now.
-And while she's immobile the wheels are going back to be re-stripped and powder coated again.
Unfortunately there was an oversight when they were primed and a very aggressive etch primer was applied. After 2mths black specs started bleeding through the silver finish and they are spreading fast!!:
But at least over the past 3mths i've been able to get her out and about and enjoying the 'classic' experience. Even hitting the first shows since i've owned her.
And on that note i'll leave you for now with some photo's i've taken this season and some from other show goers!
Cheers
Small local show (and her first one!)
Pictured with my mate Trigger's Mk3 'Tina'Battlesbridge Ford show in Essex
Went up in convoy- 'Nina' and 3x Mk3 'Tina's! National Hot Rod's annual knees up @ Trinity Park (Suffolk Show ground)And a random one at my Mum's place: