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Update 17 - Some Electrics and Some Paint
With the deadline edging ever nearer, work on the Capri has slightly increased to try and get it somewhat ready in time! 
A fairly critical part of getting the car through its MOT is to make sure that all of the lights are working, so cue a multimeter and some poking about to figure out why certain things weren't happy! The sidelight issue was due to a bad connection at the fusebox, which once rectified gave us this.
Now onto the rears, all bulbs were checked when the lenses were polished, and connections all cleaned. We rigged up some decent earth points to test them whilst not screwed into position as you cant get at the bulbs when its in as the screws to hold it are the earths.
Then a test of the lights (The brake switch had to be removed and cleaned out as it was stuck on)
All are working fine except for the reverse lights, potential switch issue? With this job done, the rocker cover was removed to reveal that apart from dirty oil, the engine seemed really clean inside! New oil and filters will be coming soon.
The cover was wire wheeled back to bare metal, painted with some Ford light blue engine enamel and the results were brilliant. I had to clean off the carb and maniold with some degreaser so it didn't look as bad! Just need to wrap the exhaust manifold now!
It looked great back on the car with he bolts cleaned up, although it was need to come off again soon for a new rocker cover gasket.
The car was pushed outside for the first time in forever to sweep the floor, and was good to see it coming together, but next is to fit the lowering springs, new discs, pads and stainless brake hoses. Then sanding, paint, door panels, sunroof, exterior bits and trim, spoiler, wheels and tyres, first drive, MOT... How long until the weekender???   |
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Last Edit: Feb 7, 2023 9:08:34 GMT by xjdmidget
MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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That rocker cover looks amazing!
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None of the limited benefits of exhaust wrap add any value to a Pinto exhaust in a Capri. It's not cheap, tricky to do neatly, leaves lots of sharp clamps, is easily damaged, doesn't last long and helps the expensive manifold to rot much quicker than if left bare. It's less work to give it a quick rub down and apply a coat of silver exhaust paint. I know that doesn't last long either, but that's about the only downside.
I find that M6 bolts welded to the bodywork as robust earthing points solve a lot of electrical issues.
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That rocker cover looks amazing! I was concerned that it would react if it wasn't clean enough, can't take credit as my Dad sprayed it for me!
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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None of the limited benefits of exhaust wrap add any value to a Pinto exhaust in a Capri. It's not cheap, tricky to do neatly, leaves lots of sharp clamps, is easily damaged, doesn't last long and helps the expensive manifold to rot much quicker than if left bare. It's less work to give it a quick rub down and apply a coat of silver exhaust paint. I know that doesn't last long either, but that's about the only downside. I find that M6 bolts welded to the bodywork as robust earthing points solve a lot of electrical issues. I've already got some and ties left over from another car so may as well use it rather than it waste away, its lasted 12 years on that car just fine so not concerned about longevity.
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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Update 18 - Front Suspension and Brakes
It was time to try and get all of the dirty/oily jobs done so that we could concentrate on getting the bodywork and paint done on the car, as this is going to be pushing it to get the car done on time! Decided to get the lowering springs on the car, and whilst we were there check everything else. What we found wasn't good...
On the back of the hub, there is 4 castle nuts that need split pins on them to stop the suspension falling apart whilst driving, none of them either side had any! Along with the locking tabs on the brake caliper and discs not being bent over its genuinely a surprise that any of the front end stayed together, and because of this, it was decided that it would be safer to remove and rebuild the front end.
Manky strut with hub removed
Off the car with huge old crusty spring gone (in the bin)
Everything stripped down to be painted and cleaned, caliper off to be cleaned etc.
For some reason someone painted over the nice plated brand new caliper with blue that was chipping off, so they were striped of the paint and looking great, stainless hoses, new pads and discs ready to go on!
Everything was painted up, finally black top mounts again! New nyloc nuts and split pins where necessary too.
All seams in the inner wing were drenched in cavity wax as well as the strut tops, and the rebuilt strut was put in place. When removing the lower arms from the ARB and subframe, the bushes split and fell apart! So these got polybushed before going back on.
Bearings were torqued, backed off and split pinned unlike before. And two bearing caps rather than one 
New calipers, discs, pads and hoses on, brakes bled and feeling/looking good!
Now its time to get the ARB on, see just how low -2" will make the front end, and get the front end painted.
Cheers all
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Last Edit: Feb 14, 2023 8:44:55 GMT by xjdmidget
MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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Feb 28, 2023 13:53:17 GMT
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Update 19 - Lowering
Just a quick one, been pretty busy recently and freezing cold so not a huge update.
The front arms are now back on, fully poly-bushed and torqued up properly. ARB is back on, front 2" spring are on and the free -1" lowering blocks are free, but I have just order the new wheels and tyres to go on, and will figure out whether or not I want it any lower than this when I've tried them on!
Front springs are tied down so they don't come loose when the car is jacked up, perks of lowering springs I guess. 
Lowering blocks and stainless hoses on, bled and looking better (yes the springs need some paint). New stainless U bolts, although I think they are about 30 years old NOS! 
Back on the floor the front end didn't look as low as I thought it would, but then again it hasn't settled or even been moved so I expect it to drop a little extra given some time, but even still, the front end is noticeably lower than before, and the roof-line.
Back end also looks a lot lower, this is aided by the spring sag! But hopefully it'll be the right height for now, in the future I'd like to go for single leaf springs with 2" blocks to help handling and looks! 
Time to crack on with the painting now, there is a few little odds and sods to get done too, but next big job will be painting, and a little test drive! With the weekender now 2 and a half months away I best give the engine a service and change the cambelt...
Cheers
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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Update 19 - Shiney Wheels
Once the car was lowered, and I had been paid, I decided to just bite the bullet and get the new wheels and tyres ordered, bearing in mind its getting tight for time until the weekender!
I hopped onto JBW, not realising they have gone bust, and ordered some RS4 7.5" alloys with new Nankang tyres ready fitted and picked the cheapest shipping they offered, less than 2 days later they arrived! And oh my word are they beautiful...
 
Some people may say these are over used now, but there's a reason for it! I'm going to paint up some spare centre caps black and get some RS badge to go on them to make them look a little more OEM+
But time for the money shots, here is the rear before and after...
And the front end (which is on new unsettled springs, and found out they were not sat in the cup properly so the car sat another half an inch or so lower after this photo)
Rear fitment is absolutely spot on for where I want it for now, I can just get my fingers in between the tyre and arch and didn't scrub when bouncing the rear end.
As you can tell, I'm over the moon with them and will just have to see how the front looks after some driving. The engine bay is now looking great with the black top mounts too!
And to top it off, the first ever proper test drive went without hitch, well relatively. The exhaust needs a tiny bit of adjustment as its slightly vibrating on the rear valence but that was known, and need to adjust the tracking again, but no knocks, bang or clunks and no tyre rubbing on the rear! Happy with that. The brakes work but you've really got to stamp on them so may check for a vacuum leak.
But that's it for now, 10 or so weeks to go and it still needs paint and an MOT, so please can spring and some warmer weather arrive!
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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cjhillman
Posted a lot
1979 Capri (Rolling Project) 1985 Escort mk3 (Daily)
Posts: 1,619
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Great work!! Nothing like that first test drive!
What make are the blue springs? I had some black Burtons spring that were a 2" drop I think. Had to tie them to the spring cups but also used Burton top mounts. I've now got standard springs and top mounts but want to try going back to them or the 2.8 springs on the front if I ever get round to doing the ARBs like yourself.
I wish I could make the Weekender but working this year plus I don't know If mine would make it haha.
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still don't know if mine will! They are from the Capri club just the normal -2" ones, hopefully it's going to drive nicely once the trackings all sorted!
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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Update 20 - 3 weeks to go...
So with little over 3 weeks to go things are looking a little bleak, mainly due to the weather (I'll blame that).
The Capri is booked in for an MOT at the end of the week and bar the paintwork, I'm praying it should pass! The tracking still needs adjusting again, as after centering the steering rack, and setting the toe out to the same measurement on both sides, it's still got too much toe out so that'll get done this week. All electrics work, the wipers are on, the washers were tested and adjusted. The wheels and bumper need to go on Friday evening and then its first maiden voyage that's over 100m will be undertaken...
The exhaust was still slightly blowing, so it was taken off again, welded once more, repainted and refitted tot he car, now sounds much better than it did, lets help the paint holds up! Whilst under there I fully waxed the underside and in the chassis with various Bilt hamber products.
Then time for the first proper mini test, and the car seemed to behave! It didn't like being driven cold at all, coughing under too much throttle, and the tracking felt terrible (Still to be adjusted) but it stops, turns and drives! Not bad for nearly 2 years off of the road. Of course, it had to absolutely pour with rain 5 mins before the test but it was great to see the car out of the barn for once and moving, the last time I did it looked very different. I loved the stance of it even with just the stock wheels on, but it looked low and mean. Once all the headlight and window trims are on, the dished wheels and shiney paint and stripes I think it's going to look mega.
But for now, lets just hope it makes it to the MOT station, and I'll be keeping everything crossed it passes. Time will tell....
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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Update 21 - MOT Time
With three weeks to go I managed to get the Capri in for its MOT, which meant the first test drive was also going to be the one to the station! It seemed a little hesitant at first, only being happy on light and full throttle we presumed it must've been a timing issue as it was backfiring a bit, but seemed to be getting happier the more it drove. The biggest issue being the exhaust getting ripped off on a speed bump
Thankfully it was only where the pipes are clamped together that had pulled apart so it was slid together and bolted back down. The car behaved itself during the test and got a nod of approval from he tester on how clean the underside was!
Brakes were all good, although he said to slacken off the handbrake and let the shoes adjust on the foot brake to take some of the travel out of the pedal which will be done this weekend. After adjusting the headlight aim I was beyond chuffed to hear that she had passed with a clean bill of health! Over the moon, so a huge huge thanks to my Dad for all the help along the way, and for the various people who helped out with supplying tricky to find bits and advise along the way, couldn't have done it on my own.
And I can't get used to how good it looks, even in a rat-rod kind of state, no trim or spoiler, although hopefully it'll all be silver by the end of the week.
Once back home, we changed the cambelt and tensioner, cleaned up the pulleys and the decades of grease at the bottom of the engine. Coming this week and the rest of the service items so will do those this weekend. Once back together we noticed that the timing was way off, the timing light indicating ATDC?  A quick turn of the dizzy back to where Haynes say it should be and we took it on a test drive, and the difference is night and day. No more coughing and back firing, and she sits and idles well and feels smoother on throttle, so fingers crossed that's sorted drivability.
All in all I am mega pleased, and I cannot wait to see it all in silver with its trim back on! Not bad for a car that was once left to die.
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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This is fantastic. Well done that man!
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75swb
Beta Tester
Posts: 1,052
Club RR Member Number: 181
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Bravo. What a transformation
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Update 22 - Little Jobs
Just over a week to go, I hope everyone is ready... 
Still a heap of jobs to sort out, and starting next week I'll have to daily drive it to iron out any issues! It's a 120 miles trip each way so want to get some miles on it before we leave. It's done about 15 miles so far...
I wish the barn had a door on it... hopefully it'll be dry stored soon.
The first thing to do was to sort some cooling system bits out, so off came the thermostat housing, and a new thermostat was fitted, the coolant was drained out and fresh stuff went in, and the rad cap seals were all split and perished so a snazzy new one from Burton was put on in its place.
I then thought it best to renew the ignition system, new NGK plugs, Burton 8mm Leads, and cap, rotor arm, condenser from Burton. Renewed all the vacuum lines with silicon and double checked the timing one more.
 A few other things like replacing the timing cover and changing hose clamps was done, and the next job will be to change the oil and filter, got some nice high zinc Valvoline VR1 for it.
Finally got a good pic of the LED gauge bulbs! Lost one dipped beam but found I'd pinched the wire for it, causing it to pop the fuse nice one
Next was to seal in the rear windows that were bonded back it just to ensure no water will get in
The job for this week will be to get it all in silver, no lacquer for now as it'll need time to cure. Then refit all the trim, get the carb checked and tracking done. No rush...
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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May 15, 2023 15:28:50 GMT
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Update 23 - Getting some miles on her
With only a few days to go I am trying to get a few miles on her before the 120 miles trip to the circuit, the car is now in silver, albeit no lacquer so this is just a test coat to see if anything decides to react.
The interior is back in, spoiler and window trims on, aerial on and time to get the tracking done! Oh wait, apparently its too low to get the local tyre fitters equipment on, so scratch that for a minute...
But for the mean time, I'm just going to drive it, still getting used to the brakes and no power steering, but had a friends dad have a look at the carb and we'll have to see how it goes!
See you all soon, looking forward to seeing some of the other deadline builds on the stand!
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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May 24, 2023 15:44:58 GMT
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Update 24 - The Weekender
It's with great pleasure that I can inform you that the Capri made it to the weekender! Not without a few troubles mind you, but I managed to put on 120 ish miles before the off on Friday morning, although not off to a good start, noticed that the diff was leaking fluid out of the bottom of the drum all over the driveway
Up with the jack, cleaned out the drum and thankfully it wasn't going everywhere in the brakes so grinned and bared it, cleaned it out and filled the diff up, only to notice a rattling from the engine... 
The water pump pulley bolts decided to head out, so out they came and some thread lock went on. And nervously I set off for the trip to Chichester.
Thankfully I can admit that the only issue on route other then the steering shake, and prop shake (next jobs on the list) was me ripping the exhaust off on the entrance to a car park in the New Forest. In classic fashion, a huge thunderstorm opened up and I had to bodge it back on, only to rip it off again in the campsite!
And to my surprise, was this little Mk2 Fiesta with a reg only a few digits out from my Capri...
I didn't really take many pictures of the weekend, other people were doing enough of that, so I sat back and enjoyed it. On the Saturday we had a quick look at the exhaust before I took it over to the deadline paddock where she sat in the shade for the Saturday and Sunday, ultimately being covered in tree sap haha.
The Sunday is always great, being able to walk the track and see an eclectic mix of motoring history, of course I had to snap the other silver capri there...
And on the way out got to speak to the owner of this widebody Starion, and my friend Matt got a candid shot of me staring down the next project in the barn to be done, although this one is going to be a big one (acid dip, rollover jig etc)
All in all a great weekend, well done to everyone who made it there and had a good one, unfortunately I'm not attending the gathering this summer, but there's something to be said about making it to both next year, but for now, the Capri has a list of jobs to tick off, and my Starion has been sitting, waiting patiently for the past 2 and a bit years, so perhaps I should start another build thread for it...
Cheers all |
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MK3 Capri 2.0, Starion Widebody, Midget 16v, E46 Coupe, E46 Touring 330
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May 24, 2023 19:10:14 GMT
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Well done getting it to the weekender. The car looks good
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A quick turn of the dizzy back to where Haynes say it should be and we took it on a test drive, and the difference is night and day. No more coughing and back firing, and she sits and idles well and feels smoother on throttle, so fingers crossed that's sorted drivability.
