1979 Ford Capri 3.0 S - Knock Knock

NEW TYRES DAY!

I've been looking forward to this day for a really, really long time. Headed in to the trusty Uncle Tom's garage to get everything swapped and balanced today, after a little wait and a flick through some 90's Fast Car mags, I had this:





I'm now running some 185/60/13 Toyo CF1s. Initial impressions are very good - they're comfortable, fairly quiet and most importantly have a nice amount of grip. After taking those pictures I tried to Bodie and Doyle it away as I used to, only to be answered with a groan. Turns out it takes quite a bit of boot to get them loose in comparison tot heir predecessors.

With them being slightly smaller, this became even more of an issue:



40mm clearance on the clamp - not ideal...

Luckily, I have the world's most frequently adjusted coilovers to save me. I've added 15mm or so the front end. Still really boody low. but a bit less drastic. After a fiddle, it looks like this:

Fit's not bad, i'm reckoning it needs to see some spacers. What do we think RR, 10mm on the rear?



10mm up front, or dare we go 25mm?



They'll take going a lot wider, but i'm a little dubious on ruining the steering...

And a little comparison:





The 185s really do look small compared to the 205s, especially on the back (the old tyres might make their way back on the rear yet) but where on earth do you get good 205/60/13s these days...?

I also got these through in the post:



Which should hopefully mean I can get the new springs on, provided I can work out the adjustment issue on one shock. The screw turns, feels like it loads up a bit, but no click. The adjuster seem to be the source of all manner of trouble from what i've read, but does anyone have experience of this issue or any idea on how to fix it? If they don't work out it's no biggy, cost me £20 to my door!

That's the latest, anyway - i'm happy with how it drives and mostly happy with the look - just weird seeing it looking so skinny compared to the fat, bulging 205s it had this morning.

It might just be the image focus, but those fuel lines do not look too clever dude. I'd think about replacing those joints, better safe than sorry!

I think it's just the picture (and they're covered in ming). I had them all apart when we did the footwells and they're all good despite appearances. With it being a standard carb engine too there's not a lot of pressure there either, I do keep an eye on it though! When it starts getting engine love it'll probably see some nice braided numbers the whole length just for peace of mind, but for now they're alright

Cheers Hessu, good wheel choice! What engine's in that for the side exit?

And cheers Vulgs, glad it tickles your pickle. The more I look at it the more it's growing on me, I think it's just the before and after difference that i'm not quite used to yet.

So, today I found out all about the weaknesses of the nylon timing gear inside Essex V6s.



Fark.

See the positive , the engine can be messed with !!!! Plenty of cheap essex's on ebay , you could swap another in while you build up the original engine [ so you have a nice numbers matching car ]

That's my plan bobble! I could fix this up, but it deserves more really being the original engine. I'm on the look out for a used 3.1 or something to tide me over - it's not all bad, just gutting and money I don't really have!

Will have it apart next week or so hopefully, will see what's taken the hit.

Darn...!!!

Grab a useful 'spare' Essex for the short-term whilst you think of a cunning plan to get more beans out of the original unit... I know that is easier said (written!) than done but that would be the best course of action I reckon!

I am so sorry to see/hear about this but I'm sure all will come good in the end... When I had my 3-litre Capri the manky fibre timing gear went and I replaced it with an alloy one, luckily the engine was ok so yours might still be fine also...

Let us know what happens sir...

Cheers guys, appreciate the sympathy!

I spoke to my mate at Burton this morning, the worst-case parts list is utterly eye-watering to say the least. Hopefully i can get it stripped next week to see what the damage is, but i've had a few offers of parts including a full cam and follower set and some new heads with big valves in - will see what I can scrape together cash-wise and see where we end up.

That's what i'm thinking Dave, I'm really not keen on buying something i've not seen running though - (almost all on eBay seem to have been sat for an eternity)

I've been offered some ported and polished big valve heads and some degree of lairy cam for £200, so that's part of it sorted - add in timing gear, followers, new push rods, a bunch of bearings and seals, and if the pistons are alright we could be good to get going with a re-build.

One thing though, i've also found a guy who can supply a 3.1 block and pistons... It'll increase the rebuild cost a fair bit in both parts and time, but what do we reckon on building onto that?

As for supercharging it, some forced induction is on the cards. Part one of that was due to come over the winter with a conversion to ITBs and Injection... Might still happen, but more than likely something for next year now!