60 replies to this topic

[Kerrin]

Well I guess an update is well overdue.

So far most of the time has been spent on the inner wings and front panel. The new cups and reinforcing ribs have been put back together and the inner wing tops welded up with new strut top panels, and the inner wing top wing mount rails have been replaced.

The front panel has been attached properly rather than a few tacks and some of the storage damage tapped out. The front radiator panel has been modified for the bigger alloy radiator, however the radiator supplier has sent us two that are not suitable for the zetec as the bottom pipe is on the wrong side. And now don't appear to answer the phone.

The gear box tunnel had been cut out and replaced with a larger tunnel to hopefully enable us to remove the gearbox easier than the blue escort, as that one is a right pain requiring the engine lowering down.

A bit more welding required for the tunnel and floor later tonight, and then we are looking at putting the shell up on the spit to weld the suspension mounts and rear shock turrets ready for the steel bubble arches (yummy)

Our latest dilemma is whether to go English or Atlas axle and whether to 3 link or 5.

The axle choice is down to cost and availability as we have the parts for the English already, but the 5 linking appears to only achieve pub points as advice from a few trusted escort enthusiasts is that at our level it's not worth the effort.

Progress has been slower that I would like as my parents live the other end of the island and travelling time is eating into the build. However the lure of the centrally heated double garage is worth the trip.

Hopefully get some more photos tonight.

[Tommyboy12]

One of the farmers i work for has two Mk1s sat rotting in a field. They are still salvagable but its a shame to see them sat there. He also has a Mk2 rally car in his shed along with a Sierra Cosworth (Not a Sapphire) in mint condition!

[Kerrin]

One of the guys here had about 20 mk1 and a few mk2 escorts in various states lying about, and wouldn't part with anything nor do anything with them. At least 3 were my old cars I had sold on and they ended up there.

I think they will have mostly rotted away by now. If they are still there. My old 1600 sport mk2 is lying in his barn with no front end, in the same place for at least ten years Grrr

Most stupid thing I ever did was swap a mk2 Mexico for one of those RWD Toyota Corrollas because it had disks at the back and a revvy 16v motor, shame it was a complete dog! The Mex needed hardly any work and was a nice car. Made a big loss on that one!

[Kerrin]

Forgot my camera phone and money so no photos, progress went well and the tunnel is in as well as most of the front end work.

My exhaust fell off the mini 200 yards after leaving the folks at 11pm so went back parked it up and brought Dads pickup home.

Guess what I am doing tommorrow.

Edited by Kerrin, 20 February 2011 - 12:27 AM.

[Kerrin]

Sorry yet again no photo's but will really try to get some soon.

The car is progressing well, putting it on the spit has really helped the build and I can get in to some really awkward places like the under dash area, as there is a tiny bit of rust there.

The front end is pretty much finished now, just a few bits to finish welding then the wings are ready to go on. The gearbox tunnel is fully welded.

After a lot of stressful measuring and cutting the new shock absorber turrets are tacked in place and the axle mounted temporarily to allow trial fitting of the tramp bars and the panhard rod brackets to the axle and body. It's amazing how much you forget, I have had to lie under the blue one a good few times trying to remember how we fabricated that one.

One of the rear arches has been cut out ready to start fitting the bubble arches and rather than mess about we have ordered the proper arch fillets from Gartrac.

We decided to stick with the English axle for now. So we are fabricating some strengthening tube to reinforce the axle casing.

The next weld marathon is on Thursday, got the day off work so hopefully get a good day at it. Looking forward to getting the body finished then we can start on the engine mods to fit the Zetec. The engine cam with the car so it will need stripping and checking prior to fitting. Hopefully a few new gaskets and the fabricated sump in place and it will be sorted.

[Tim1970]

I sold my mk2 escort recently. I am missing it a lot think i'm going to have to save for a mk1. That is if I can resist spending yet more money on my mini or buying another one haha.
The blue one looks gorgeous all credit to you and plans sound awesome for this one, looking forward to seeing the progress.
Are you planning on doing any racing with this one when it's done?
Have wanted a mk1 mex since i can remember, pretty much planned everything i'd do to it. Would love to build a mk1 zackspeed replica aswell with V8. A bloke come into work with one last year, crazy cool a sounded the nuts.
Anyway getting a bit carried away now all the best with the project.

[Kerrin]

Yes, the plan is to do some rallying, possibly some local events and then the RAC (Roger Clark) rally. Dad will be driving, I will possibly be the service crew.

Rallying and me dont mix I am still sulking after writing off my TR7 V8 into a brick wall a few years ago, it cost a lot of money to build and pretty much was a ball of scrap once I had finished. Even the engine block was cracked.

The blue one will get a bit of a revamp once the yellow one is finished, we have learnt a few things on the new one which would improve the Mex.

The camera is charged up ready for Thursday, hope I dont forget it.

[Tim1970]

Sounds good, always great to see these cars doing what they do best.
Although that accident sounds like enough to put anyone off for a while sounds pretty nasty.
Look forward to some pics of the work so far.

[Kerrin]

Well now, I got to the folks at 8.40 am this morning and left at 19.30, so quite a long but productive day, and I actually remembered the camera and to take some photo's.

First job was a bit of a clean up of the garage as its the first time the weather has been good enough to get the doors open and the cars out to get the floors swept.

Pulled the Blue one out into the sunlight, so here's a photo with no sign of an arse anywhere. The grille is off due to a problem with the thermostat sticking shut, but its all back together now.



The yellow peril is up on the spit now, luckily it came with the car, as you may be able to see, the big tunnel is tacked in and so are the tramp and panhard rod brackets.





We finished welding in the rear shock turrets and boxing them in so while Dad was working on cutting out the rear arch ready for the arch liner I properly welded the extra suspension brackets to the axle casing and added a piece of steel square tube to strengthen the axle for competition.









After a lot of scratching of heads we managed to get the arch liner welded in to place and the outer skin tacked to it, hopefully a small amount of trimming will allow the outer arch to fit snugly over the lip and prevent mud and stones going up into the arch outer skin. Thats the theory anyhow.





The inner arch and the turret are pretty tidy now and all in place, thats one side finished.





A bit more seam welding of the chassis rails and the tunnel join to the floor



Thats all folks. 10 hours ! maybe make a start on the other arch next week.

[Tim1970]

Making great progress on this it's nice to get a good full day of things.
Work looks top notch should make for an awesome outcome.
Underside looks really nice and solid aswell.
Keep up the good work.

[leaky]

Wow. I love old fords. I really want an mk1 escort van. Their so nice. I see quite a few mk1&2 escorts around my area. Their a place called whitspeed just down the road from me who restore old fords. Some of the stuff they do is insane.

[Kerrin]

Right, after all the work on the axle, we have been offered an Atlas axle that is possibly within budget!

Bit of a pain after all the work on the English Axle and the mounts on the body, but it is going to be worth the sacrifice.

Just got to decide whether to go the whole hog and 5 link the car or modify the tramp bars to fit the new axle. (if they need it).

[Kerrin]

Quick update. The drivers front wing is on and the bubble arch tacked on. Both rear bubble arches are welded on and ready for the filler. One wing to fit and then we can start on the roll cage etc.

Definately going for the Atlas axle now. It is starting to take shape now the arches are on.

Edited by Kerrin, 31 March 2011 - 11:19 PM.

[Tim1970]

Sounds like it's coming together nicely.
Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[Kerrin]

A bit more progress on the Escort at the weekend. Dad has managed to get all the arches in place and tacked, and had cut out the LARGE hole in the rear pillar for the works style Monza cap fuel filler, the recesed cone is now welded in place and looks good.

Most of the welding needed was rust repairs on the small holes in the floor, the steel is a bit thin and it was a bit of a struggle as it was blowing holes. The rear shock absorber turrets are now seam welded into place and are nice and strong.

Whilst trying to strengthen the cut out panel for the big radiator, I was throwing a bit too much weld in two places, and the front valence warped a bit, Drat, there is no way to get in at the back, so I will have to drill holes or get a small slide hamer and pull it out and tweek with some fillar.

The Atlas axle is ready to pick up, and we are going to 5 link it, after a bit of deep thought and chin scratching it seemed a shame to go so far with the car and not do a proper job on the rear suspension, so whilst not period historic spec, it will be modified to run the later type 5 link boxes, after all it will be running a Zetec.

Speaking of the zetec, the engine is now at my house for a check over and the change of sump to suit the RWD installation, its been sat for a while and is unknown as it came with the car, so I think its worth stripping it down.

Anyway here are some photo's of the progress.



View of the Monza filler and the O/S arches



N/S Arches, note that both the wings are now on.



Spit roasting the Escort, not as tasty as a hot pork sandwich!