Project Project Capri. Back on the road! New earths.

[danthecapriman]

Engine will be going to meet back up with the car tomorrow!

 

It’s been two years since they were together. Two long years.

Plan is to use the van with the crane to back up to my garage, rig up some slings between the two lifting eyes on the engine then crane it up into the van. Strap it down and run it up to where the car is. Then crane it back out onto a wheeled trolly and simply and majestically wheel it into the workshop. Easy peasey and no bad backs.

That’s the plan anyway!

 

The safe delivery of the engine should conclude matters for this stage. Everything else is already there waiting to go.

Once the engine and box are back in the car it should be coming back home.

I’ll take the camera and hopefully get a few pics while I’m there so watch this space.

[danthecapriman]

Right, firstly the disappointment! I couldn’t get pics today! Sorry.

The car was at the back of the workshop under a four post ramp and it was dark. Another car was in the way being worked on so I didn’t want to trample over everything to get to mine.

But, I’ve been promised some photos by email soon once some more of the bits go back on so they will come.

 

 

Engine was picked up easily enough by the crane. We just had to think about how to best sling it so nothing got damaged or scratched. Easy once we worked out how though!

Dropping it off was even easier!

It’s sat on a proper engine crane now and will be going back into the car pretty soon along with the gearbox and prop.

 

Bodywise, the headlining is finished and looks absolutely lovely. Both of the rear quarter D windows are now bonded in place and were sat curing with a few clamps around them when I was there.

It’s really coming on now! Each little bit that gets added on is really noticeable and making it look like a car again now.

The engine and box won’t take long to fit and then there’s just a few odd little bits to do before it can come home again.

 

 

As soon as I get the photos emailed I’ll post them up on here!

[AndySnapper]

Minor point about number plates but one to think about as you see so many cocked-up.

 

Are you going for a nice new set of plates with no advertising shit on them, stuck on squarely as opposed to using plastic nut and bolts (usually in the wrong place)?

 

There is a guy down the road who has just had a brand new Porsche Carrera delivered and the number plates look like they were put on by an apprentice on notice.

 

I may be a bit OCD about this but to see a brand new car with wonky plates fastened with black bolts in the white area and white ones in the black is just terrible. Sticking them on with heavy duty pads seems to be a much nicer finish.

 

Just a thought as you are getting closer to the big day

 

Andy

[danthecapriman]

Minor point about number plates but one to think about as you see so many cocked-up.

 

Are you going for a nice new set of plates with no advertising shit on them, stuck on squarely as opposed to using plastic nut and bolts (usually in the wrong place)?

 

There is a guy down the road who has just had a brand new Porsche Carrera delivered and the number plates look like they were put on by an apprentice on notice.

 

I may be a bit OCD about this but to see a brand new car with wonky plates fastened with black bolts in the white area and white ones in the black is just terrible. Sticking them on with heavy duty pads seems to be a much nicer finish.

 

Just a thought as you are getting closer to the big day

 

Andy

Not sure yet tbh. I might get some plastic, modern font, black & silver plates made up and go for that...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or not!!

 

The original plates are ally reflective plates with the raised rivited digits. They’re in pretty good condition really so I might use them again. They’d be one of the few untouched original bits of the car! Although they have had those bolts to attach them with the coloured bolt head covers.

 

It will not be modern style plastic/Perspex plates though as they look shit on old stuff even with old fonts. Stuff this old should be either pressed ally or raised digits only imho.

[Dick Longbridge]

^ Glad you are going old school on the number plate. Can’t stand modern font and size on older stuff. It’s the equivalent of a Theresa May wearing hipster jeans.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Raised plastic letters on reflective alloy plates. 

 

Would go well with a period Ford dealer sticker in the rear screen.

 

 

You've updated your agreed value insurance................?

[danthecapriman]

Raised plastic letters on reflective alloy plates.

 

Would go well with a period Ford dealer sticker in the rear screen.

 

 

You've updated your agreed value insurance................?

I don’t even have agreed value insurance on this! It’s been on a normal classic policy (market value, no agreed value). I’d better change that soon hadn’t I!?!

 

I still need to send the V5 back with the new body colour on it too.

 

 

The dealer sticker would be cool to have. it would have been Hendy Ford that supplied it new. Either the Portsmouth/Cosham branch or possibly Hayling Island. Where I’d get one though?

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Give this guy a buzz;

 

 

http://www.pukardesigns.com

 

He'll make some from a photo. 

[danthecapriman]

Give this guy a buzz;

 

 

http://www.pukardesigns.com

 

He'll make some from a photo.

 

Excellent.

So... does anyone have a Hendy Ford logo from the 70’s I could use to make the sticker from?

 

I think it was called Hendy Lennox back then.

 

Edit: look what I just found!

 

https://www.dmb.uk.com/prod/6015/hendy-lennox-bournemouth-portsmouth-southampton-ford-dealer-sticker#overview

 

Would this be period correct though?

[warren t claim]

If this was mine I'd cover it with pictures of people in coffins and holes in their sides and when asked why I'd say it's a JPS Capri that meets current UK government standards on tobacco packaging.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Excellent.

So... does anyone have a Hendy Ford logo from the 70’s I could use to make the sticker from?

 

I think it was called Hendy Lennox back then.

 

Edit: look what I just found!

 

https://www.dmb.uk.com/prod/6015/hendy-lennox-bournemouth-portsmouth-southampton-ford-dealer-sticker#overview

 

Would this be period correct though?

 

 

Probably.

[danthecapriman]

Just been sending emails back and forth to the guy I’m using to finish the bits I can’t really do at home.

 

Progress report then;

 

All glass is now fully installed permanently, complete with the now finished headlining.

 

I had a blonde moment last year and forgot to do something I knew needed doing on the engine then sent it to be craned into the car.

Basically, when it was on the road there was an occasional puff of blue smoke. Valve seals!

Then I did all that work, cleaning, painting and reassembling the engine completely forgetting about the valve seals. Because idiot. These have now been replaced. All were rather worn but there were two which had gotten exceptionally bad, and were very obviously letting oil past. Just a shame I didn’t think about this before I’d done everything else as it should have been the first job I did on the engine.

Anyway, that’s done and now the engine and gearbox are both bolted back together and both back in the car where they belong after two years!

The prop shaft is also back in place.

That’s the main stuff but other bits and bobs have been covered at the same time, just to avoid putting things onto the car then having to remove them again later to clean and paint things etc.

 

It’s now just waiting on the rear quarter windows outside trims to be refitted. There was a question with these as when fitted there was a small gap between the black metal trim (the upright black painted bit that goes immediately behind the black similar bits on the front doors) and D window glass.

The gap is fairly small, you can’t get your fingers in it but it’s there. From memory that’s normal.

I ‘think’ the gap is for the high spec cars that had opening quarter windows. The hinges for these would be here and the gap is to prevent the glass hitting the outer trim when hinged open. Of course on my car the windows are fixed so it doesn’t matter, but the gap is still there. Anyone know better?

There certainly wasn’t any rubbers etc removed from here when the car came apart but of course that doesn’t make it right as it could have been lost/removed/fallen off etc before I got the car.

 

 

It’s close now to being able to come home for me to rebuild.

I’ve been a bit down recently though so I’d largely ignored it and done nothing for it. So as a bit of a much needed boost I’m going to go see it again tomorrow. Should improve my mood a bit I think!

I’m out working tonight so it won’t be until tomorrow afternoon but I’ll try to get some more pics while I’m there as I’ve been a bit lax with these recently on this thread! And everyone likes pics!

 

Til’ tomorrow then...

[fordperv]

Did you use the cvh top hat design stem seals? Whenever I change pinto stem seals its what I use

[danthecapriman]

Did you use the cvh top hat design stem seals? Whenever I change pinto stem seals its what I use

Standard Pinto ones. I didn’t think of that tbh!

 

Oh well, they’ll be ok for a while I’m sure. I’ll just do cvh ones next time. The ones that have just been replaced I put in back in about 2003 when I did the full head rebuild and unleaded conversion, so they’ve done alright. Even that’s longer than many cars last!

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Before the dash goes back in, check the wiper motor. Capri ones have a habit of stripping the splines where the crank arm fits so do the nut up night and add a dab of mig weld. If you've ever changed a Capri wiper motor with the main dash fitted..... 

[danthecapriman]

Before the dash goes back in, check the wiper motor. Capri ones have a habit of stripping the splines where the crank arm fits so do the nut up night and add a dab of mig weld. If you've ever changed a Capri wiper motor with the main dash fitted..... 

I’ve never had the pleasure but it looks like a right bastard! It’s dead easy to get to at the moment as there’s absolutely nothing inside the car.

The motor and mechanism is out of the car at the moment, in a box with the body somewhere so I’ll check it and see before I start putting it all back in. It was fine two years ago!

[danthecapriman]

Well what a frigging awful night that was!

Went out to start work at about 21:30 didn’t get back until 06:00! Awful job in an awful place at an unholy time! Glad it’s done, glad I’ve got my overtime but I’m absolutely knackered.

 

The day became much more pleasurable this afternoon though as I got to see my work of art!

It’s close to being done now, really close. Just the last odd bits.

 

I got down there and the cars up on the ramp having the gearbox X member fettled. Made getting beauty pics a bit difficult. However instead I’ve managed to get a few naughty pics of the Capri’s nether regions which might actually be a bit more interesting as it’s something you won’t often see. And I guarantee you won’t see a Capri’s undercarriage quite as clean and fresh as this one!

 

 

Firstly is the engine sitting in it’s beautiful blue bay. The pics a bit dark unfortunately but it looks bloody brilliant!

 

Going up...

 

Underside of the engine and gearbox area. With all the front lower suspension bits, X member etc.

 

View of the underside from the back axle.

 

It looks absolutely stunning underneath!

The finish is exactly how I wanted it done, very very close to a factory finish, but with better protection.

I think the blue paintwork against the satin black of the running gear looks superb too, really smart and professional.

 

There’s a few odd finishing bits to be done. Mainly the refitting of the D window external trims now I’ve seen it and ok’d how they fit. Basically it is just as I remember it, with the slight gap between glass and trim. I think things like this are a bit of a hangover to the cars pedigree! It is ‘just’ a Ford so in places you need to expect a bit of half arsed-ness on the original finish with some things and this gap is one of those I think. Instead of filling the gap with a seal or something they’ve simply ignored it on the non opening window cars and left it.

We’ve had a look at it and decided to use some strips of rubber seal off cuts, which conveniently fit exactly in the gap, these will be glued to the back of the window trim and when fitted should fill and seal the unsightly gap. I think this is a much better finish than leaving it tbh.

Other than that there’s a few nuts and bolts that need a dab of paint now they’re tight and on the car, the rear spring U bolts need trimming as the excess threaded sections are rather long! Possibly intended for cars with lowering blocks fitted but of course mine doesn’t so there’s a lot of excess thread sticking down. Just odd bits and bobs really.

 

I can’t wait to get it back home now.

[nigel bickle]

Have they fitted the wiring loom yet, or is that for you to do?

 

Cos I reckon it's past due- judging by that build.

 

Does look good, Dan.

[danthecapriman]

Have they fitted the wiring loom yet, or is that for you to do?

Cos I reckon it's past due- judging by that build.

Does look good, Dan.

That’s still in a box at home. I think the loom on these is actually two or three looms that join together with big old connections. It’s a bit grubby and most of the old loom tape is old and crispy so at the very least it’ll need cleaning, checking and re-taping.

I need to get it out and stretch it right out on a flat clean floor somewhere really and decide what to do with it, repair and reuse or just replace it.

Everything seemed ok electrically before it came off the road though it will need a few new connectors to replace some shitty old ones etc.

That’s most likely going to be one of the first things to go back into the shell once it’s home though so I should probably think about having a look at it sooner rather than later.

 

Cavity waxing will be job number 1... joy!!

[nigel bickle]

Get a new one made up, much easier & safer.

 

From memory, Autosparks can supply ' off shelf'. Tell them of any extras you want included, and they'll bespoke one.

[schonker]

Thats looking fab Dan.You must be chuffed with it

[danthecapriman]

Get a new one made up, much easier & safer.

From memory, Autosparks can supply ' off shelf'. Tell them of any extras you want included, and they'll bespoke one.

I might do just that tbh. Wiring of that age is most likely gone hard and brittle after this long. Plus whatever damage I find after stripping back the old tape.

 

Is Autosparks the name of the company?

 

 

Thats looking fab Dan.You must be chuffed with it

Ta! I couldn’t be more pleased tbh!

 

I won’t say anything, unless anyone really really wants to know, but the final bill for this is definitely most agreeable too!

I can’t recommend these guys highly enough. The works top notch and they’re a great bunch of guys too! Normal down to earth and realistic. Just what you want really.

If anyone needs any similar work doing I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

[AndySnapper]

What fantastic progress Dan!

 

Plenty to be happy about now at last 

 

So pleased to see it all working out for the better.

 

Looks absolutely stunning!

 

Andy

[oldcars]

Love this, its stunning. Looks just like my 75 underneath     

[johngarty]

Sending virtual pints Dan, This is amazing, remarkable stuff  

[danthecapriman]

Love this, its stunning. Looks just like my 75 underneath     

Trick is going to be trying to keep it looking like that now!

We were looking at (and caressing!) the inner wings and under bonnet areas when I took the pics! The paint in the bay is just as good as the outside bodywork, it’s gorgeous but it now means cleaning and polishing the engine and engine bay will be necessary from now on.

 

Dear god, what have I become!

I’ll be sitting next to it on a deckchair in a field with a knotted hanky on my head before long!

[Dick Longbridge]

Looks fantastic. Go nuts with those Bilt Hamber products though - it’ll be doing its damndest to grow ginger bits when you’re not looking!

[Guest Hooli]

Looks excellent Dan, it'll almost be a shame to drive it & it get dirty!

[danthecapriman]

Oh, I forgot. Another thing yet to be fitted are the new front inner wing splash shields.

 

I forgot I even had those until they came up today.

They’re not OE, these cars never had anything from new so all the mud, water and shite got flung off the front wheels straight up onto the A post and inner wing/sill end area rusting it to buggery.

They should stop the worst of it at least. All they are is a shaped steel panel with a rubber seal against the inside of the outer wing and just bolt on. Not factory but a worthy mod I’d say!

[TripleRich]

Looking good.  Splash shields should stop the worst of the mud and moisture getting stuck on the bulge at the base of the A post.  I think they were only fitted to 2.8i Capri's but I could be wrong.

 

As far as wiring goes you don't have much choice...

 

The loom on these is not currently available new due to the unique rubberised connectors used at the time.  Same applies to Escort, Cortina and Granada.  I've overhauled a few of these and provided you replace damaged sections, clean all the connectors and replace any bad spades or eyelits you shouldn't have any trouble.   Its in two parts with a joint through the bulkhead via a red and black/grey rubber multi pin connector.  Another two grey connectors attach to the base of the fuse box inside the car.  

 

Reconnecting them properly is a bastard, get somebody to help if you can. 

 

 

Fitting up the engine bay will present a bit more of a challenge now the engine is in but you should be fine.  

 

I'll leave these here in case you need reference photos.  Its a Mk3 but things like brake line and loom routing should be very similar for a Mk2 as is basically the same shell.  I have more photos if you need them.

 

 

Enjoy the build!