20 replies to this topic

[jagman.2003]

Hello all,

 

It's been over a year since I posted anything on here. Been busy with lots of other projects.

But before I continue with the next mini project I want to do some upgrades to another classic that's been sat around a while.

 

A quick bit of background. This series of cars was the Vauxhall 1970's answer to Ford's Escorts & Capri's. The Magnum Coupe was using up the last of the Firenza body shells. But is basically identical to the Firenza 2300.

 

 I purchased this vehicle from ebay about 12 years ago for a very low purchase price, mainly for spares. But it was too tempting to put it back on the road. I did a very economical restoration. Only replacing worn out or safety related parts. A quick home respray got it back on the road for a couple of years.

 But economical sometimes has it's drawbacks. The ignition system has always been problematic. Blowing coils regularly. Hopefully the problem has now been identified & in process of being fixed. The gearbox has been it's biggest weakness. Changing to a second hand overdrive box didn't improve things. So it's spent most of it's time in the garage being ignored.

 

 Recently I have had a couple of offers to sell it & thought I had better give it one more bash before letting someone else have a go. The discovery of a conversion plate to adapt a Ford type 9 box (sierra) could solve the drivetrain issue with some work. As I just happen to have most of the required parts in the workshop. Excluding propshaft.

 Also I have had a pair of Weber 45's waiting for some years to go on this car too.

 

In the last couple of weeks I have been trying to get it running again. The plan being to change gearbox & get it mot'd, then change carbs to Webers. But the Standard strombergs refuse to let fuel through the float chamber needle valves. So I have pulled them off & going for Weber conversion now to get it running again. Fingers crossed I can get it setup ok for emissions test. I believe 1976 is still in the test band.

 

 Webers need a quick recon & inlet manifold needs a clean & paint. But all parts on order. Will update with progress.

Edited by jagman.2003, 05 January 2015 - 10:31 AM.

[cal844]

Looks good! Is the shell solid??

[jagman.2003]

Looks good! Is the shell solid??

The shell was rotten on the drivers side floor. But I did alot of welding too it to get it back on the road. My quality of welding & rust proofing wasn't that good back then. So it's half about & will need regular fettling I think.

I put new wings on it & doors are good.

[Ben_O]

Welcome back Jagman!

 

Looks like a nice little project. Loving the colour!

 

Ben

[jagman.2003]

Welcome back Jagman!

 

Looks like a nice little project. Loving the colour!

 

Ben

Thanks for the welcome back.

It was yellow originally as far as I can see. Nice 70s colour. I used Ford Signal yellow for the respray. Very similar.

[jagman.2003]

Just a bit more info. on the car.

The engine had a sympathetic rebuild. So a light hone, new rings, new bearings, head skim & valve seats recut.

It's already had some upgrades with big valve head, performance cam (don't know which one),  high level alternator bracket, janspeed exhaust manifold & custom exhaust.

The wheels are 14" Revolution four spokes with 195 tyres.

The present gearbox is a four speed overdrive with single piece prop.

 

I previously had a Firenza 2300 & that went very well for a car of that age. Lots of tail happy moments. The Magnum had to have the carbs leaned off for the emissions & has never really gone that well. Hoping these final mods will get it running even better than the old Firenza! Rolling road session on the cards.

Edited by jagman.2003, 05 January 2015 - 01:54 PM.

[sonikk4]

Whato mate nice to see you back. One thing with the type 9 box is the fifth gear. Having had a couple in my old RS2000 you do need to fill these up with the box / car tipped over to make sure the 5th gear is immersed in oil. Failure to do this will result in premature wear. Done that got the tee shirt.

I also used Fords Synthetic gearbox oil which is or was recommended at the time. Never had an issue with the second box.

[jagman.2003]

Whato mate nice to see you back. One thing with the type 9 box is the fifth gear. Having had a couple in my old RS2000 you do need to fill these up with the box / car tipped over to make sure the 5th gear is immersed in oil. Failure to do this will result in premature wear. Done that got the tee shirt.

I also used Fords Synthetic gearbox oil which is or was recommended at the time. Never had an issue with the second box.

Brilliant Sonikk, good to be back & thanks for the tip. I will have to come up with a cunning plan on how to tip it over. I don't think I can fill it before it is fitted to the car as it will piddle out of the output shaft hole. Unless I can seal it temporarily with a dummy propshaft fitting? Then maybe tip it & do a quick swap for new prop.

[sonikk4]

I just jacked my car up as far as it would go and this was enough to basically overfill it. I never had any problems after this but using the correct oil  also helps.

[jagman.2003]

The old inlet gasket has been cleaned off & engine given a quick clean on the top side.

Will give the red engine paint a quick spruce up tonight.

 

My planned sequence of events keep changing. I was going to put the Webers on & fire it up again. But with the carbs out of the way I can see I have better access to the bell housing bolts. Also with the coolant system drained it makes more sense to change the gearbox next. I'll need to tip the engine back, so the radiator has been removed. I didn't want to change too much at once but makes more sense to do it this way.

 

 Hoping this work won't take too long. Maybe early spring completion. As I'm keen to get started on the next mini project.

 

 As a bit more background for those that are interested. The shell is basically a go-faster version of the Viva. This version was meant to have a V8. A proper british muscle car. But due to the oil crisis & spiralling fuel costs the plan was changed to reduce the capacity. So the engine is a slant four, half a V8. Advantages are it reduces engine height in the car & the bottom end is very strong. Drawbacks are that the exhaust side of the engine doesn't have much working space. But compared to the mini....! Tuning parts for this car & the later Chevette were plentiful & effective in their day. But are getting scare & expensive now compared to the Escort. It can be a popular choice to swap out the slant four for a more modern & powerful engine. E.g. Pinto, Red Top Vaux or even V8.

 South Africa got a low production run V8 version called the Canam Firenza. A rare, good looking & fast 1970's car.

 

Edited by jagman.2003, 07 January 2015 - 09:13 AM.

[jagman.2003]

I've been doing a quick bit of work in the evenings, just to keep things ticking over on this project.

Gave the top of the engine a quick tart up. Also giving the starter motor a lick of paint.

Will be doing some tidying up in the workshop at the weekend as a general sort out & give the Magnum some more space.

Hopefully get it up in the air to remove present gearbox & get replacement on the bench.

 

[Dale_]

Love these cars! :)

[nicklouse]

The is very déjà vu.

A have a good mate that gas old Minis, had a Jag. or 2 and has a few Vauxhall VXs.

But then there are the Bedford Ambulances and Ice Cream van ( think that has gone) so you can't be the same.

[jagman.2003]

The is very déjà vu.

A have a good mate that gas old Minis, had a Jag. or 2 and has a few Vauxhall VXs.

But then there are the Bedford Ambulances and Ice Cream van ( think that has gone) so you can't be the same.

No not the same, but I have been looking loveingly at some vans lately!

[Dale_]

How is this little project coming along?