1972 Granada Mk1 coupe build - Still going... 14-10-2024

Progress is steady but slow. That is I'm working my butt off, never taking a break until it's time to leave for the day, but things just take time to do right.

For instance, since last installment I worked on the power steering issues. I had developed at least two options for getting this done, but in the end I was limited by what the hose making company could do. Turns out car fittings are not generally used in their business, so I had to re-use original fittings and pieces of pipe. It sounds and looks simple yet it took considerably more time to develop. However, the hoses are made, everything was put together and tightened. Now it's just waiting on fluid and finger crossing to hope it's all leak free.




Then I took a picture that for now has become one of my favorites... The car just oozes it's potential. Yes the wheels aren't yet finished, the side sill chrome is missing and the striping isn't applied yet, but mannnnnnnnnnnnnnn does it look great or what?



The enginebay meanwhile is getting more and more stuffed and more and more pieces of the puzzle are finished. Working on the engine is more and more of a b$tch though as access is sometimes virtually impossible.



The area for air cleaner/maf sensor and swirl pot is relatively empty still. But won't be for long as the fuel system is about next in line.



I focused on getting some stuff done for the final time next. Installing the big connectors as they originally were fitted in the Scorpio by re-using a piece of that car and trimming to fit. Also finally made up the brackets for the coolant reservoir and permanently fitted the heater after adding some foam underneat and routing the coolant hoses. A custom bracket for the power steering reservoir was one of the last engine related modifications not counting the fuel system to come.







In preparation for a full electrical test of the basic Granada systems, I also fitted some nice new and old components. Also the mass and positive wires were installed as well as the alternator wiring. These were very challenging access wise.






Leaving me ready for the test looking like this:



I then spent two hours testing the system. It behaved slightly funny to say the least.

First issue was a left indicator constantly on (exterior as well as on dash cluster). This lead me to check and improve all earth points. No change. Putting on the headlights, parking lights were working, headlights only on the right. Switch on the fogs and only one on the other side. Asif this wasn't already driving me somewhat nuts, my wipers were on all the time as soon as position II was selected with the key. The blinkers would work, except for one. This didn't seem connected. But there was no wire to connect it to. I had made a mistake connecting two wires that were once cut to put in a towbar. Once corrected, the indicator was off, and when asked all worked! Turning to the headlights and fogs I started looking at the big relay unit. At first that didn't do much, but after taking all wires of and reseating them, the headlights worked as did the fogs. My horn was missing a connection until I found a loose wire that I never crimped a connector onto when I quickly remade that piece of the loom. The braklights had me fooled for a while as well. They were Always on. Turns out the new pedal sits differently and in resting position doesn't depress the switch far enough. I have to move the switch closer or ad a bump stop to the pedal. Final challenge were the wipers. Why the hell were they on continuously?? Answer turned out to be pretty easy and stupid of me to have thought of so late: the foot operated wash/wipe switch was hanging there without the housing. In the housing the circuit is open until you put your foot on it. Without the housing the switch acted asif I had my foot on it all the time. That was quite a relief when I found that.

In the end, all seems to be working. Not everyting is in, but the big things work.

So the to do is shorter now though in big terms it doesn't seem so:
- connect the extra BOB wiring
- create fuel system
- lengthen drive shaft
- find two nuts for the brake hoses and finish the system
- fill all fluids/systems!!
- mount/create exhaust
- Align the damned thing!

Looking good, do you have an idea of when you want to have it out on the road?

Also - don't suppose you know anyone around the Eindhoven area that could transport a car?

Nearly there fella, looking great

It should have been road worthy end of march. I'm running behind on my schedule. I'm now aiming for technical drive ability end of April!

Still plenty to Do. But once road worthy it can go home with me to finish the interior. That should see it done end of may completely...

about your question, it depends. I can ask someone but what is the budget? From where to where should the car Go? Big or small car? When does it have to Happen?

Thanks for the comment!

I wouldn't worry, my car should have been on the road about now, and I expect at least another year, if not more



The budget is whatever it costs, I'm happy to pay, just don't know what the going rate is. Its not definite yet, but looks like we are buying a house in Borkel, so will need to move my Oldsmobile from our current place in Riethoven. Its 5,7m long, 2m wide, runs and drives but APK is out soon, it has a lot of rust still, no rear window, and no exhausts, so not really safe to drive on the road Hopefully will be getting the keys at the beginning of July, so plenty of time yet.

I'm trying to find out if that would be true.

otherwise I think I'll go stainless made to last.

Put some oil in it quick before you forget!

No pics this time, yet an update is due.

After my session last Saturday finding the issue with the gearbox connector preventing the starter to be released I was feeling optimistic. I just had to finish the fuel system and add fluids to give the engine a try!

So my efforts this week went into exactly that.

I had a short session Friday due to other engagements. I started by acquiring the fluids. A hefty bill followed, even with 50% discount. But I had all the fluids to fill the brakes (not done yet), fill the engine (and change the rather beaten up filter), fill the cooling system, fill the power steering and if needed enough for a full refresh of the auto box (including a filter). The bill sucked, but the nice clean fluids somehow made up for that!

So I changed the oil filter the messy way of driving a big screwdriver through as I had left my nice oil filter chain tool at home... Then put in the required amount of oil. Next up was the coolant system. I added the first 5 liters. The rest will come when the engine is circulating it. Powersteering is the same, filled the reservoir and topped up some more after it gravity fed its way down the system.

I then had to finish the fuel system. This meant drilling holes through the jack supports as where originally one line was running, I now had two. Also making an d fitting bracketry for the additional low pressure pump. So this took a bit of time. I was just short of enough hose to finish the system, but for testing purposes I ended up leading the return to my jerry can.

I quickly switched the fuel lines on the swirl pot as a manual for the Scorpio indicated me having them the wrong way round.

Then I just had minutes to spare for a trial start. No exhaust except for the Original Scorpio downtubes with lambda's or anything.

The engine was released by pats, the fuel pump whirred for a few seconds. The external low pressure pump was run directly off the battery for this test and as I turned the key, the engine turned over.....

....and over....
....and over....

Well you get the point. The attempt was aborted when fuel came from the high pressure pump to filter feed to the engine fuel supply line. Pressure was building. This to me could mean only one thing, I was right the manual was wrong! I needed to switch the fuel lines yet again...

Unfortunately though it would have only taken 5 minutes, I was out of time... it and I would have to wait.



My next session started with changing the lines around. The pressure meant a spray of fuel over my clean engine bay. curse word. I cleaned and washed that off as well as I could. Then it was time for a second first try.

This time the engine came alive but it ran rough and died after a few seconds to a minute tops.

I was missing the right part to connect the MAF sensor to the intake so I used a paint mixing cup that had the perfect size on both ends (I had to give the engine a try! Just couldn't wait). Airtight it probably wasn't and an engine is a powerful sucking device so I guess not all air was "metered". I also had only 5 liters of fuel in the rear tank to pump to the front tank and that with the car slightly raised in front.

So the consensus that evening was that the engine probably wants to work, but probably got too much air and not enough fuel from the pump and possibly to much or too little mixture actually in the cylinders.

With the engine running and given some throttle held steady, the engine surged/lunged somewhat, varying in RPM although throttle was steady. Also some backfiring or popping seemed to happen.

So SHE LIVES!!

But with room for improvement...


A clip:




Now I'm waiting on the right gaiters to fit the MAF properly and have borrowed some extra jerry cans to fill up the tank some more... I'm finishing my driveshaft Friday and will start mockup of the exhaust. For now I'm going to use the Original 40 mm tubes/system of the 2.6 Granada V6 engine and fit a reducer from the 50-40mm. I will also complete and secure the fuel lines.

Then I hope to bleed and adjust the brakes soon as that would be the last mechanical issue on the list, assuming the engine will run and is not suffering a vacuum leak under the intake. Then it is on to electrical, interior and finishing the final chrome trim on the car.