Project Memoirs from the Hard Shoulder: bASeman's Spot of the Year award.

[BorniteIdentity]

Found an old can of Hammerite in the garage that looks so old that it might actually be Hammerite as we know and remember it.

 

It’s smartened up the back of the Granvia no end.

 

Is it any good on the underside of cars? I’ve quite a bit left - and it looks like it’d be quite useful to have something under there rather than just rust (!)

 

 

 

Ps. I’m expecting a lot of love for my dust sheets !

[alf892]

You need to paint it onto non flakey rust.......it doesn't stick to nice clean metal! Even the new stuff sticks to rust quite well

[BorniteIdentity]

You need to paint it onto non flakey rust.......it doesn't stick to nice clean metal! Even the new stuff sticks to rust quite well

Righto.

 

So me using a drill and wire brush attachment was a waste of time - and the iron oxide in my left eye was entirely avoidable?

 

Nice one.

[alf892]

Yeah.........that paints gonna fall off

[HMC]

Useless comment from HMC #348

 

When I read “bASe stalking” in the title I hear the song “ jive talkin” and therefore bornite goes bASe stalkin wearing 70s disco gear.

[BorniteIdentity]

Therfore bornite goes bASe stalkin wearing 70s disco gear.

 

Have you been spying on me?

[greengartside]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F192653129197

 

 

Okay, a Cossie replica. Not badly done.

 

 

Oh my. A base!

[BorniteIdentity]

Huge thanks to Premier League standard shiter Alf892 who popped over earlier to deposit oil on my drive and assist with the strip and rebuild of the original 1.6 bASe head on the Sierra. We figured that using the existing engine was more in keeping with the ethos and culture of our operation, and it would naturally lead to more concours points come show season.

Shame about the FUCKING great dents and the Nissan rear bumper.

I suppose we had it off within the hour (fnar fnar) and after Alf’s second post coital cigar we had the valves out and all that and everything changes but you.

After my ex AA neighbour regaled us with tales (nightmares) of rebuilding an engine on his landing - Alf departed and I’m now left with the job of cleaning everything.

I’ll see you all next March.

 

 

 

[Dick Longbridge]

I’m not sure what your neighbour is doing with his hands, although I’m going to assume he’s feeling inspired.

Good to see an update on the old dear.

[egg]

Bornite, NOS Sierra front bumper...(I know you need a rear, but still...)

 

I've just got a Mondeo one from them, and they accepted an offer without any messing.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-sierra-front-bumper-mk1-1982-1985-for-models-base-laser-L-GL-1629994/123419031912?hash=item1cbc58f968:g:BEYAAOSwy6lbvzAh:rk:2:pf:0

 

[egg]

Also, door...

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-sierra-MK1-1982-86-5-door-hatchback-estate-drivers-side-front-door-skin-nos/123432556293?hash=item1cbd275705:g:WNEAAOSwqlpbxyO~

 

[Noel Tidybeard]

they got tailgate skiin as well

[BorniteIdentity]

Thanks for these. I’m now sorted for panels really, apart from the rear bumper issue. I’ve got two drivers side doors to go on at some point and the rear quarter is fine on that side.

 

I’m yet to start cleaning down the engine because of work and decreasing daylight. I’ve also got, unexpectedly, into advance talks about buying a Celica GT which rarely helps (!)

[alf892]

Not cleaned yet??

 

Decreasing daylight poor excuse for lack of degreasing

 

D minus for effort must try harder.

 

 

Celica??

[BorniteIdentity]

Not cleaned yet??

 

Decreasing daylight poor excuse for lack of degreasing

 

D minus for effort must try harder.

 

 

Celica??

 

Haven't had a chance to go and buy any agressive degreasing solution yet.  Hopefully tomorrow.

 

The Celica came right out of left-field.  I had a text from an unknown number 2 days ago - turns out it's the rather lovely guy who runs the Japanese specialist garage I use.  "A customer has decided to sell her Celica GT, it's smart enough, it won't be a lot of money, do you want it?"  I've seen 5 photos of it and have decided I'll have it if she'll sell for a sensible price.  Judging by the fact she was about to give it to the fire brigade to cut up, it shouldn't be too much.

 

I've managed to establish it's a 2.0 GT which is 170bhp, it had a low mileage replacement engine last year along with a new clutch too.

 

I spoke to the owner last night who was terribly well to do.  The more I probed, the more I wanted it.  She's had it from new - only her and her mother have ever driven it and anything it's needed - it's had.

 

She's thinking it over.  Hopefully I can scoop it up on Friday.

[Sir Snipes]

I don't know how familiar you are with 1990s Toyota twinks bit this is the 170bhp engine;

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54c9a6f7e4b0151a733c8f94/550a3648e4b0e05080d29dab/551639a2e4b0ac8577aa338e/1427519908433/IMG_0424.JPG

 

And this is the 130bhp;

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/1996_Toyota_Curren_XS_4AT_3S-FE_engine.jpg

 

Careful not to mix them up!

[BorniteIdentity]

I don't know how familiar you are with 1990s Toyota twinks bit this is the 170bhp engine;

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54c9a6f7e4b0151a733c8f94/550a3648e4b0e05080d29dab/551639a2e4b0ac8577aa338e/1427519908433/IMG_0424.JPG

 

And this is the 130bhp;

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/1996_Toyota_Curren_XS_4AT_3S-FE_engine.jpg

 

Careful not to mix them up!

Thanks, love. I’ve got a 3sfe in my Avensis (233,831 and counting) and it’s as tough as old boots.

 

This Celica is definitely a full fat 172 horse example.

 

She said she’d call over the weekend. Fingers crossed!

[BorniteIdentity]

I honestly despair. I must have either been a very horrible person in a previous life, or there’s some kind of conspiracy against me ever buying another car ever again.

 

Having asked the garage to find a buyer for the car. Having been delighted that they’d found me and been excited that someone would want it and give her money for what she thought was fit for cutting up by the fire brigade. Having asked me to go see the car and ensure that I was absolutely happy with it and having let me check insurance etc...

 

She’s now decided not to sell the car.

 

It’s not about the price, as she confirmed I could offer her an awful lot of money and she’d still say no. It’s not about needing or wanting the car. I think she’s just got cold feet. She thanked me for my interest and that was that.

 

I reckon had it been the other way around, I’d have at least apologised.

 

So, another fucking disappointment to add to the list. For the third time this year, I reckon it’s time for another hobby.

[egg]

Damn annoying. Seen this?

 

[D Spares & Tyres]

That's not too far from me, I'm happy to go and view it if needed...

[BorniteIdentity]

Thanks for the suggestion and offer of assistance, but I’m now buying from people I know. And driving off within 5 minutes so they can’t mess me around.

[fordperv]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F192653129197

Okay, a Cossie replica. Not badly done.

Oh my. A base!

Only just noticed this post

I saw this at Blackpool ford day, the owner seemed confused that I recognised it as a base, the car needed a lot of finishing, looked OK from a distance

[New POD]

The 1100 CVH was deleted by 1982 according the the most reliable source on the internet that is the Wikipedia as it offered little in terms of economy and refinement over the pushrod lump. I can well believe that as I've never come across a 1.1 CVH escort but was mentioned in the HBOL when I helped a mate with his Mk3 some time ago.

 

I used to like the 5 o'clock 0rpm position on the rev counters on the Mk 3 escort and facelift Mk2 Granadas

It might be due to how many CVH engines they could actually make without investing in more equipment. If they had OHV capacity, you might as well dedicate the robots to higher value cars.

[Angrydicky]

We've got about 30 new old stock brake master cylinders for 1100 CVH Escorts at work. And about ten head gasket sets as well. Just saying!

[BorniteIdentity]

A quick question here for all Pintosaurus anoraks.

 

I'm lead to believe that simply putting a 2.0 cam in a 1.6 head is, effectively, what the old 1600GT was.  Can anyone confirm this, and that it's a good idea?  It seems silly to be buying a new cam and not take up the option of extra horsies.

 

Ta.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

From memory the 1600 GT had bigger valves as well, but not just a 2.0 head because those don't work on 1.6s- they fit but the valves hit the block!

So as long as it's no more expensive you might as well get a 2.0 cam but with standard valves and no twin choke you're not going to see any performance gains.

[BorniteIdentity]

From memory the 1600 GT had bigger valves as well, but not just a 2.0 head because those don't work on 1.6s- they fit but the valves hit the block!

So as long as it's no more expensive you might as well get a 2.0 cam but with standard valves and no twin choke you're not going to see any performance gains.

Thanks for the intel.

 

The carburettor needs changing too but not improving, so I’ll probably just get a boggo basic 1.6. The full kit from Burton is over £330 for the Kent set so that’s a no! (Especially for THIS car!)

[danthecapriman]

I honestly don’t think it’s worth fannying around tbh. To get any real benefit on a 1600 you need to do more than just a cam swap. Only doing that isn’t going to get much, if anything extra.

If your going to the effort of upgrading this you need a fair bit more - cam, gas flowed/ported head, carb upgrade blah blah...

It gets expensive quite quickly, and if you are thinking of doing that starting with a 2.0 would be the best starting point anyway.

 

When I did my Capri, I wanted the car staying reasonably stock so kept its (original, numbers matching no less!) 1600 pinto in place. Compression etc all tested and checked out so it’s fine. Next step was head off, new standard cam shaft, new valves, springs, stem seals, etc etc and before that was fitted I had the head machined to take hardened valve seats for unleaded. Worth doing imho if the heads off anyway.

Mines even still got original cast iron exhaust manifold etc. It’s perfectly fine, not quick but it does the job perfectly well.

If I were you, with this car, just get a standard cam.

[cort16]

On my old cortina with a 1600 pinto when I got the heads cleaned up and the valves reground it was like a different car.

[DodgeRover]

Piper cams are a LOT more reasonable than that even with new followers.

 

The head castings have been really rough on mine cleaning them up and smoothing them out does seem to help.

 

Does it actually need a new cam?