car is looking pretty clean there paul

Update time:
Got the rear coilovers on and dropped it down a bit. Was hilarious when i put them on as i had inadvertently raised the car by about 20mm!!
Got the exhaust rehung on Friday with the power flex bushes so it now doesn't rattle on startup and isn't blowing like a whore anymore!

And as it was supposed to be nice this weekend I decided to get rid of some of the rust.
Having lots to get rid of I decided to attack the drivers side first as its the one I see the most
So cracked out the new angle grinder ( how have I coped without one all this time?!?!?!) And blitzed the rear arch, will and just inside the doors. Got some isopon p38 for the holes I had made and gave it a quick buff back. Couldn't find my filler so buffed the p38 as smooth as I could and just painted it. Better have a rough painted finish rather than rust
While I was waiting for the p38 to cure I decided to rip out the Cobra alarm that was installed. Never had a fob for it and the horn was cut under the bonnet so it was just taking up space. So if anyone wants a Cobra 3390(I think) for bits (as I have no idea if it works but I think it does) then let me know
Stuck some primer on and started painting. While it was drying in started to rub down the boot lip that had started bubbling and then sure enough it started raining!!! WTF!?! what a pain in the arse. The paint had dried I think but will see tomorrow.

Bits I now need to get:
Speedo surround as mines now has a hole where the alarm led was
Fog light wiring loom from lights to plug on right wing as mines is a botch job

OK, so I replaced the near side rear wheel bearing last week as it had started grumbling, I wasn't too happy when it went on as it was still a bit rough but I gave it a go... Big mistake, it shat itself on Saturday after a 100 mile round trip!! Thankfully it waited till I was in the street to properly go and didn't do it when I was scooting along at, ahem, 70!!

So it was smoking and my alloy was covered in molten grease so it got abandoned on the drive till I could get a new bearing and drum as it had well and truly seized and worn down the drum instead of spinning...arse!!
Got new drums and bearings today and borrowed a hydraulic puller from work to get the drum/bearing off (omg I so need a hydraulic puller in my life, they are effortless!!) But I was left with the inner bearing welded in place so the dremmel came out and I started cutting away. Eventually got it off but its dug into the stub axle bit of emery paper and its OK but will probably get as new one next time I'm at the scrappies!

Long and short of it the bearing is replaced and will keep the other drum as spare as there was no lip on the old drum as they have done bugger all miles anyway
Just need another dry weekend to finish painting the will/rear arch/boot

Paul

how come it shat itself paul if it was a new bearing? no pics?

sounds good progress though. could you do me a favour and get as many pics as you can of the engine bay, hoses and wiring and plugs for me please would be a massive help!

ta

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fifi

Hi Ben,

It never went together all that well if I'm honest, it was a bit rough no matter what I did but it was late and I thought it might last a bit longer..... Wrong!!
I've still got the old drum sitting at home, will get some pics of that tonight and show you what a mess it was!

Yeah, no worries mate, will try and trace each loom for you and let you know what plugs where and from what loom etc etc... you still having a nightmare with your wiring?
Would an escort zetec engine loom not be better to start from thinking about it? Then all you'd need to (possibly?!?!?) do is change the plug from engine loom to car loom?? Just a thought as Escort Zetecs are a lot more common than Fiesta ones!

Paul

Fair play paul. At least its sorted now!

Top man. Not so much now. Done a few bits. Just stuck on some of the piping etc and wiring. Would be easier if I could see it in a pic. Hmm possibly but I think ive got too far with this. Ill definitely keep that as a plan b though

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fifi

Right, latest update is I can't be arsed painting the sills any more and the summer has apparantly passed so the car is doomed to a rusty pile!! Ok, slight exageration but I really need to get my finger out and do something about it.
Also need to get the welding done quick sharp on the seat mounts and rear turrets as the MOT is due in a couple of months.

But, onto some progress (if you can call it progress!) I bought an Escort S2 RS Turbo gearbox off eBay. Arrived a while back and turned out to be an XR3i box with no LSD!! There are some right cunts out there!
On the plus side I found someone selling an Excort S2 LSD locally for £50 so bought that and got the money back off the gearbox seller so now have an LSD box in the garage (albeit in two pieces) that I'm going to turn into one piece then fit.... maybe... if I can get a) motivation and b) the sills, seat mounts, front wing replaced as its doing my box in!

Also, while I was giving her a clean I opened the passenger door to find the centre console wet at that side. SHIT!! Fucking heater matrix has gone. But on further inspection it was fine...phew! So what was it? It was oil pishing out of the back of the pressure gauge. Who'd have thought that your stereo would work quite happily when half full of engine oil?!? Note to self, engine oil is non conductive

Had a quick look at the brake pads and found that the inner pad on both sides was worn down to the metal practically with the outside looking full of meat. Queue some new discs and pads, nice and easy youd think but could I get one of the bleed nipples off? Could I bolloks, so a new caliper later the breaks are working properly. Add in the front wheel allignment and I actually have some confidence in driving the car hard now... Halle-fucking-lulah!!

I very nearly started breaking her a few months ago after a tantrum with it not starting and nearly bought an RX-8 to replace her. But I came to my senses (haud on, is that the looney bin I can hear calling me??!??!!!?) and kept the Fez... I must say at this point that I am questioning my sanity here, help me please guys!!

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Some people are like slinkies. Not really good for anything, but bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs!

From the moment I picked up your book until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it.

good update? there buddy

shitter about the box, but im glad it worked out in the end

your sanity is perfectly fine

good man paul. glad you didnt sell on!

looking forward to seeing the new box fitted.

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fifi

Well the Fiesta failed its mot a couple of weeks back on some welding (sills holed and drivers seat anchor point) both of which I knew about plus three worn tyres and corroded brakes from flexi to the drum on both sides. So not a huge amount considering.
One of the guys at my work owns a little garage down near edinburgh so he said he could do the welding for me this weekend and took the Fez down after work on Friday. Which meant I had his car as a "courtesy car". Gave it a quick clean and took some pics after taking the wee one out for a spin. Will let the pics say it all









Needless to say its bonkers!! My daughter wants me to ask why my friend has popcorn in his car LOL!! It has a scorpion exhaust and pops and bangs like a good 'un!!

Anyway, it's booked back in for a retest tomorrow but think ill need to change it to Tuesday as it took 4 hours to weld it up as they kept having to grind back further. From speaking to them it sounds like they have rebuild the sill from plate. Would have been easier with a new skin but hindsight is 20/20 I suppose. So that means the brakes still need doing

Anyway, enough chat, I'm away to take my daughter out or a spin as she loves it as much as I do!! Ho est officer my daughter made me go through this tunnel flat out, 40 times

Paul

Rust, the joy of old Fords

Nice little courtesy car you got there though, must be enjoying it

Lovely cars to drive these Works mini's. A lad at work just bought one few weeks back and it's a great little car. Also with scorpion fitted and just as you say it pops and bangs like a good'n all the time

Nice courtesy car

Nice. How many of the GPs did they make in the end 250? 500?

Best of luck with the retest

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Some people are like slinkies. Not really good for anything, but bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs!

From the moment I picked up your book until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it.

liking the mini

MOT tests are no fun, best of luck with the retest though

They made 2000 in total (his being number 1021) but only 400 odd came to the UK.
It's hot 220bhp so not much more power than the cooper s works but much lighter. No rear seats, lighter wheels, aluminium wishbones plus other "stuff". Put simply its a beast!!

Although Simon did day he found the fiesta a lot nicer to drive than he thought he would especially around town and cruising which I wasn't expecting!! He's still pondering my offer of giving me the mini plus a grand in return for the fiesta, but I don't think he wants to rob me

As for the retest re booked for tomorrow and Simon came round and have me a hand with the rear brake lines tonight. By give me a hand I mean he came round and did them both!!! Felt like a right spare prick! Although at least I now know how Ben must feel when he gets "help"!
Only joking fella, just realised I haven't slagged anyone off for a while and you were the first that came to mind. Sure there's a compliment there somewhere

So 4 tyres in the car, drop it off tomorrow for re test and put tyres on and job should be a good un!!!

Will let you all know how it goes!

Paul

Cracking stuff good luck with there test :thumsup:

Good luck fella

Woohoo!! MOT passed, only a couple of advisories that I'll try and get round to sorting out before next year.

Latest list of things to do:
Change rear cylinders and install braided lines
Tidy up near side sill and paint
Now that I've found my filler tidy up o/s/r arch
Get new exhaust heatshield so water rail is not held on with cable ties
Check height of all coilovers and set evenly
Change gearbox
Rertrim roof lining
Refit interior panels that I've taken off
Change battery - Done
Get new cable from battery to starter - Done
Check n/s seat mounting and fix if needed
Wax oil floor
Fit new recaro front seat (details to follow once it arrives :thumbs up: )
Install remote central locking
Speak to ford as to why my red key won't program anything!?!?!
Tidy up gauges in centre console
Delock or fix lock on boot
Get new wheel nuts
Strtip down and re grease door hinges
Get floor mats
Change oil maybe, not sure yet...
Fit Puma white dials
Remove plastic side strips and glue
Completely debadge boot

Think that just about covers it

Paul

Couple of things ticked off the list tonight.
Battery changed and new cables run from battery to starter and starter to alternator.

Not sure if its just the ECU reset or the new cables giving a better spark but she's running a lot nicer and faster now Winner!!

Paul