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Mar 14, 2019 20:44:04 GMT
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hi, so i started my new project last weekend. had this 1973 firenza sitting in the corner of the shed gathering dust since i won it on ebay a couple of years back. its a 1256 model, which I'm told is a pretty rare find. basicaly the car was solid when i brought it, and complete but it was in a thousand pices, with seats and an engine and box missing.
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Mar 14, 2019 20:47:27 GMT
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Mar 14, 2019 20:53:49 GMT
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Mar 14, 2019 21:01:48 GMT
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Mar 14, 2019 21:06:48 GMT
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got the whole car in primer last night after stone chiping the vaunrable areas. tonight i have pretty much finished sanding, and sprayed and laquered the boot and engine bay up to a finish. will post some more pics up soon, but I'm hoping to get the shell painted tomorow night.
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Mar 14, 2019 21:20:02 GMT
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I didn't know they did a Firenza in 1256 flavour either, must be very rare as you say. These are a very nice shape, what do intend to do with it? I'd love to see this restored to standard spec but with a more modern engine, transmission and running gear. Personally I'd steer clear of the slant 4 engines. They are a bit of a boat anchor, not known for reliability and thirsty too even in standard form.
Good luck with whatever you choose, keep us posted.
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Mar 15, 2019 12:49:33 GMT
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Its nice to see a bit more Vauxhall action, the flat front firenza is good looking car as well!
With regards to the slant 4 range of engines they are only unreliable if you don't know how to work on them, as with any other make they will suffer from the usual points/condenser/fuel leaks/oil leak problems, they are heavy but strong and the 2.3 can easily make 150hp with a lot of us up in the 180-200hp range plus the bonus of tree stump pulling torque!
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Mar 15, 2019 13:09:09 GMT
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My brother has had over 260 bhp out of a 2.6 slant. It is unreliable and has cracked blocks as the crank is not counterbalanced. A new crank would sort this. Saying this when it's kept 2.3 and lower powered this wouldn't be an issue. I would say a nice alternative would be the 2.2 Lotus. It looks pretty much the same but being all Aluminium is hell of a lot lighter. It also has lot better designed bottom end for strength and has a proper oil seal on the crank rather than rope seal that can leak on the 2.3. But either engine would be cool
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guffershump
Part of things
The main problem is that I need a space to work on stuff.
Posts: 18
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Mar 15, 2019 14:54:05 GMT
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Get a Saab B234 Engine in it. Pretty much the same.
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1996 - Subaru Impreza 2.0 (Farm Rip - Scrapped) 1999 - Ford Fiesta 1.3 (Another Farm Rip - Rotting in Field) I know these 2 don't really count 2001 - Mk4 Golf Estate - (Daily) PD130 with PD150 turbo and new engine. Sadly Scrapped 2003 - Saab 9-5 Aero Estate
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Mar 15, 2019 19:06:48 GMT
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Last Edit: Mar 15, 2019 19:11:14 GMT by yoeddynz
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Mar 16, 2019 20:32:21 GMT
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yep, lots of people have told me to steer clear of the 2.3 slant. people have said to me about sticking an original 1256 cc back in, but to be honest it doesnt sound very tempting to me! I'm not too sure engine wise at the mo, so am open to ideas and advice please.
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Mar 16, 2019 20:37:56 GMT
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Mar 16, 2019 20:44:41 GMT
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Mar 16, 2019 20:55:20 GMT
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first i must apologise for the photo quality- bit dark in the shed- and the glare from the strip lights... and me being curse word with phones! today i got the whole underside gravitex'd and wheel arches/ inner wings. i got the front subframe sprayed up black- and fitted it to. got the petrol tank striped, gravitex'd and sprayed black too, then mounted it in spot. i then painted the internal floors black. I'm hoping to get the car in another shed next week to free up some space in my workshop, so i can crack on and get the panels prep'd, sprayed and ready to fit. i will get more pics and an update soon. in the mean time; I'm after advice on engines and wheels!! at the moment its rolling in and out on a set of steel rostyles.
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Mar 21, 2019 20:30:53 GMT
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update- so i now have the bonnet and boot lid in primer and should be in a finished state tommorow night. i have ordered up my headlining and all rubbers/ seals. as soon as my order arrives i will get the headlining fitted up and all the glass, then i can start fitting up the trim once it has been moped and polished. my new fibreglass wings are on order and as soon as they arrive and have been test fitted, they too will be in paint! I'm going to update with more pics over the weekend.
anyone know where i should be looking for wheels??
thanks, matt
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,615
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Mar 22, 2019 10:09:50 GMT
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Drat, seeing those Rostyles only made me want to see it on a wider 'modern' equivalent, but Firenza is on 4x4" (like original Mini) rather than 4x100 that would be far easier to find. Suppose they are a bit too sharp by comparison anyway, & probably not a cheap option. Can't say I like grey despite having it on my CR-X, but '70's did encourage various stripes on enthusiastic 'youth-oriented' cars... & it still looks great anyway & is exciting to see the progress!
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Last Edit: Mar 22, 2019 10:17:24 GMT by 79cord
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Mar 22, 2019 13:05:20 GMT
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what about an OHC engine, maybe 1.8 from manta berlinetta, still vintage enough, but great design and reliablility
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Mar 22, 2019 20:10:19 GMT
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I think they are also quite a heavy engine.
Is a shame that the little ohv engines are not very strong. It would be neat to build up some sort of screamer with one, or add a turbo. But from what I've read they don't have a very strong bottom end.
I weighed the Datsun 1200 engine from my imp. It's only 78kg with the flywheel. Pretty light and very tough engines. Tempted by one for an easy swap into my viva. But they actually cost quite a bit here for a good one because they are very popular with the speedway folk... Due to the abuse they can take.
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Last Edit: Mar 22, 2019 20:10:40 GMT by yoeddynz
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keyring
Part of things
Posts: 913
Club RR Member Number: 47
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Vauxhall Firenza Buildkeyring
@keyring
Club Retro Rides Member 47
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Mar 22, 2019 20:31:08 GMT
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Certainly not wasting any time with making progress! Looked a great base, and look forward to seeing what way you go with it, especially with the engine
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shoey
Part of things
Posts: 320
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Mar 22, 2019 20:54:17 GMT
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Id go for a Vauxhall redtop with 1.8 manta gearbox,bit predictable but it is a brilliant engine ,lots of torque,parts availability,oh and a manta 1800 sump if you can find one.
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