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Aug 15, 2008 12:21:55 GMT
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I'm going to have a crack at getting my kit car running tomorrow, having left it dormant in a barn for three years. I put a new battery on it and had a fiddle a few weeks ago - starter was spinning over enthusiastically but it wasn't sparking. Current was very low over the points. I'm guessing that replacing the points, condensor, rotor arm etc will sort it out, unless someone knows of any gremlins relating to the 3.0 Essex V6 that I'm not thinking of...? Here she is, looking a bit tired.  |
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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Aug 15, 2008 13:46:05 GMT
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TBH what you've said should do it. My Capris was in a barn for 5 years and all it took to get it going again was a damn good service including all the timing and ignition gear. They're a fairly tough engine.
Chris
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Aug 15, 2008 13:57:10 GMT
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Did you get the Mk2 sold Chris?
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Aug 15, 2008 13:59:40 GMT
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They're a fairly tough engine. Exactly - they were made by troglodytes out of granite and have about three moving parts - I have absolute faith in it spluttering to life. (Keep an eye out for my subsequent 'I couldn't get the bloody thing started...' post!) |
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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Aug 15, 2008 14:07:02 GMT
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Did you get the Mk2 sold Chris? Not yet, she's poorly at the mo (not engine related though!) |
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Aug 15, 2008 14:31:52 GMT
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Chris, wanted to say your co-workers wrote some very nice things about you in the most recent issue of "Retro Ford". Obviously to us remotely situated readers, you are much regarded and will be missed. Well good for you, mate. Job well done!  (Sorry for the slight hijack, in lieu of a "Slobber Over Chris" thread, thought this was as good a spot as any to slobber over Chris.... ;D) |
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 Team Blitz Ford Capri parts worldwide: Restoration, Road, or Race. Used, Repro, and NOS, ranging from scabby to perfect. Itching your Capri jones since 1979! Buy, sell, trade. www.teamblitz.com blitz@teamblitz.com |
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Aug 16, 2008 18:47:52 GMT
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Nice bit of progress today. I started the day by going to Halfords to see if they had the right bits to tinker with... I wasn't really expecting them to have '78 Capri bits on the shelf, but was amused/annoyed that the dumbass behind the counter had never heard of the bits I was after ("Points? What, like stereo connectors?"; "Condensor? Nah mate, we ain't got any power tools." Brilliant.) Still, nil desperandum - I drove over to East London to see what could be done. First, cleaning up the points, rotor arm, dizzy, plug leads etc and make sure all the connections are good.  Digging out some wet 'n' dry paper for contact scrubbing, and getting the fuel on standby for dribbling into the carb. We have confidence at this point.  Clip it all back together again.  Bloody hell! After sitting unused for years, it started! Here it is a couple of minutes later, idling perfectly.  Taking the brakes apart to free off the pads and make sure everything's OK in there. (Only did the fronts this time - the rears can wait for another day...)    Tiny little driveway up to the garage is about two inches wider than the car is. (It was fun pushing it up there...)  Topped up the coolant and the brake fluid (bleeding it all properly can wait a while), then changed the oil.  Ready for a little trip.  Good lord, it runs and drives perfectly! Absolutely everything seems to be working exactly as it should, apart from the fog lights. Testament to the build quality of these bulletproof old Capris!   ...and all tucked up back in bed, ready for the next installment.  Next up: rear brake investigation, a damn good clean, and maybe a temporary set of cheapo Ford steels with legal tyres as the current ones are super-perished and I can't find 205-section 13" tyres for anything less than silly money! (Anyone in London got a spare set of usable steels I could have...?!) |
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Tiny little driveway up to the garage is about two inches wider than the car is. (It was fun pushing it up there...)