Project Memoirs from the Hard Shoulder: GoaT Returns.

[danthecapriman]

I’d also recommend changing the rear crank seal with the clutch, it’s madness not too after this long.

I did mine on the Capri when I put the new clutch on. All you do is undo a few bolts that hold the flywheel on and once that’s off it’s right there. Pull it out, new seals cost a couple of quid! It’s easy if it’s in bits anyway.

 

Another vote for Weber too. As I said earlier, it’s silly to stick to original if the car runs poorly and causes MOT issues. The Weber practically is a standard fit item on Fords of this age anyway.

If it’s funds that are the issue, I’ll happily chip in for a new kit?

 

Your still welcome to have my old VV?

Failing that, I’ve got two older Ford single choke carbs. These were from before the VV so suitable for most Pinto stuff, Capri, Cortina, Granada, Transit etc.

One is for parts, the other is off my 1600 Capri (removed to fit the Weber) it’s in working order and already set/jetted for a 1600. You can have that if you want it? Should just bolt on.

If nothing else it’ll keep you going until you can get the new Weber.

[danthecapriman]

I don't know but some of the 2.0 fitted in Granada's and Transits had a different one to the Sierra. Try somebody like Sheffield CortinaCentre, if somebody would have a idea what to do it would be him.

There is a commercial variant of Pinto. Fitted to the Transit and P100. It’s a low compression type designed to give a bit more grunt in bigger vans and trucks. You can often tell by finding your engine code.

My mk2 Transit has one of these in 2.0 form. I don’t think it matters about the carb though. I’ve taken my VV off of that and put the Weber single choke kit on that BI is looking at for his Sierra. Works perfectly and it actually runs well all the time now! You could even stick the twin choke Weber onto the low compression Pinto and it’ll still give improvements.

[BorniteIdentity]

I’d also recommend changing the rear crank seal with the clutch, it’s madness not too after this long.

I did mine on the Capri when I put the new clutch on. All you do is undo a few bolts that hold the flywheel on and once that’s off it’s right there. Pull it out, new seals cost a couple of quid! It’s easy if it’s in bits anyway.

 

Another vote for Weber too. As I said earlier, it’s silly to stick to original if the car runs poorly and causes MOT issues. The Weber practically is a standard fit item on Fords of this age anyway.

If it’s funds that are the issue, I’ll happily chip in for a new kit?

 

Your still welcome to have my old VV?

Failing that, I’ve got two older Ford single choke carbs. These were from before the VV so suitable for most Pinto stuff, Capri, Cortina, Granada, Transit etc.

One is for parts, the other is off my 1600 Capri (removed to fit the Weber) it’s in working order and already set/jetted for a 1600. You can have that if you want it? Should just bolt on.

If nothing else it’ll keep you going until you can get the new Weber.

Thanks, very generous offer.

 

I’m honestly not having a “u ok hunni inbox me” moment. I hate fuss. But there’s just so much going on right now with the house, an overload of work (I will never complain about this) and summer that I just want to be driving - not swearing. Next year I will get all of the fleet MOTd between March and April so that I can just motor.

[oldcars]

I’d also recommend changing the rear crank seal with the clutch, it’s madness not too after this long.

I did mine on the Capri when I put the new clutch on. All you do is undo a few bolts that hold the flywheel on and once that’s off it’s right there. Pull it out, new seals cost a couple of quid! It’s easy if it’s in bits anyway.

 

Another vote for Weber too. As I said earlier, it’s silly to stick to original if the car runs poorly and causes MOT issues. The Weber practically is a standard fit item on Fords of this age anyway.

If it’s funds that are the issue, I’ll happily chip in for a new kit?

 

Your still welcome to have my old VV?

Failing that, I’ve got two older Ford single choke carbs. These were from before the VV so suitable for most Pinto stuff, Capri, Cortina, Granada, Transit etc.

One is for parts, the other is off my 1600 Capri (removed to fit the Weber) it’s in working order and already set/jetted for a 1600. You can have that if you want it? Should just bolt on.

If nothing else it’ll keep you going until you can get the new Weber.

Fair play, this place etc. What a cracking gesture.

[danthecapriman]

Thanks, very generous offer.

I’m honestly not having a “u ok hunni inbox me” moment. I hate fuss. But there’s just so much going on right now with the house, an overload of work (I will never complain about this) and summer that I just want to be driving - not swearing. Next year I will get all of the fleet MOTd between March and April so that I can just motor.

No bovver m8!

 

Don’t do anything hasty though. Selling it would be a mistake imho. If the time is bad at the moment put it in the garage for a while, forget about it and get those other things sorted. Come back to it again later on.

If you sell that car you’ll never get another one like it!

[danthecapriman]

Thanks, very generous offer.

I’m honestly not having a “u ok hunni inbox me” moment. I hate fuss. But there’s just so much going on right now with the house, an overload of work (I will never complain about this) and summer that I just want to be driving - not swearing. Next year I will get all of the fleet MOTd between March and April so that I can just motor.

This is the little single single choke type carb I was on about. The VV replaced this type.

 

[Felly Magic]

DTCM I think that is a very kind offer, we all love the buttery biscuit base Sierra, and I can tell at the moment you have a hell of a lot going on, and your brain can only cope with so much before you go 'wibble'. Put it on a sorn, so it gives you time to work on it when time & cash flow permits

[BorniteIdentity]

This is the little single single choke type carb I was on about. The VV replaced this type.

 

A4CD1E73-10CA-4A9C-AF19-8A75AC190078.jpeg

That looks suitably shit. As long as zero improvements are made in performance then I’ll be a happy boy.

 

I was convinced that the fuelling had been turned up to help mitigate the lack of auto choke, and winding it back would improve emissions if not running. Then I could give it a tickle post MOT to a more satisfactory mix.

 

WRONG.

 

I’ll drop you a line Dan. Thanks champ.

[dave21478]

I have never seen the attraction with this car, but thankfully we are all different, I suppose.

 

Realistically though, if you have the room to store it for a while do that until mood/money/time return....firstly, what other base pervert would buy it for a sum of money close to what you would want? not many takers for that deal, I would imagine.

Secondly, Im sure we could all tell stories of having regrets after selling a car, whether due to nostalgia for a specific vehicle, or being annoyed by rising prices meaning you would never afford a replacement.

Thirdly, to hell with carburetor originality...put what works on it and use the car...its a normal car that needs used, not a museum piece. Tuck the old carb away somewhere safe and it can always go back on. I swapped the Pandas dogshit carb for a fuel injection system in a country where this is legally grey purely because I want to be able to use the car and trust it. I have the old carb and an ice-cream tub full of bits in the garage so it can all go back to standard in the future if needed/wanted.

[fordperv]

Don't give up, the box off is an easy job as long as the bolts for the arb mount don't snap off in the captive when you undo them to lower the arb to make space so the bellhousing can pass through

[sierraman]

I find with jobs like this is prepare everything, take your time and read up before you start. Makes job a hundred times less stressful.

[Tamworthbay]

What VV is it? I have a couple on 1800 pintos I have tucked away.

[New POD]

I always think that a single SU carb had to be the answer to all carb issues.

 

One jetted for a metro turbo would be about right.

[lisbon_road]

Four speed box nice and light.

 

One more vote for the Weber.  Some carbs were just rubbish.  I fitted a Weber to the Vauxhall Viva in the early 90s and it went better and more economical ever since.  They are just better than some stock carbs.  Originality is great but getting down the road is more important, and better emissions can't be bad too.

 

Don't hesitate to lock it up for a while until your enthusiasm returns though.

[will16]

Love the font end of a mk1, I wouldn’t sell it, reading the thread you’ve done a lot with it. Wait till the mojo returns

[mk2_craig]

Webcon UK used to make a fortune out of offering replacement carb kits to upgrade the crappy old toss that Ford chucked on as standard. They're starting to get scarce now but try your local motor factors and see if they've got anything sitting on a shelf. I managed to pick up two DATR kits cheap from a place near me, they were moving premises and wanted shot.

[dozeydustman]

As Sierras are not a common sight now, especially misery spec models, I think best thing to do is keep it on the road and worry about originality if you plan concours or sell on to a real blue oval brown-noser. VV service kits are available but why bother with something that would become a doorstop a couple of months after rebuilding.

 

Put the car in storage while you sort the house out, a few more months off the road won't do it any harm, when the time comes to start spannering again give the whole engine a degrease to help you locate the oil leak. Then go back with a fresh mind.

[beko1987]

If you want original, why not get the Weber and keep the VV if you or anyone else in the future wants to go back original. Like in 5 years time when MOT exempt.

This. Plus you've then got 5 years to obtain replacement VV parts for Summer 2024 tinkering!

[greengartside]

Another one for keeping it. I think we are all right in saying that there will never be another Sierra like this so it makes sense to put it away and find some parts in the meantime. I will keep a lookout for anything that pops up in my area. Anton at Red Lodge is your best bet as he’s got shit loads of Sierras at the moment.

 

Did anything come of the Sierra Estate down the road from me?

[Felly Magic]

We do have a classics friendly MOT man in Cambridgeshire on the forum, Some say he's small, looks a bit like Penfold from Dangermouse, and is completely unhinged, all we know is he's called..... Daverapid

[Guest Hooli]

I'd park it up & ignore it for a bit. As others have said it won't go down in value & if you sell it & regret it you'll never find another.


Personally I'd find a weber for it, most of them got one years ago & it's worth to be able to drive the car.

[Rod/b]

This isn’t cheap but would do the job https://ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Weber-34ICH-Carburettor-Ford-Capri-Cortina-Sierra-1600cc-replaces-VV-/291594711767

[BorniteIdentity]

Give yourself a shake man.

 

I do that most nights tbh. Married life innit.

 

What about that breaker at Red Lodge? Surely he will have carbs for £not a lot.

I’ve got him on FB and he went quiet on me regarding some parts from the blue breaker. Also, no dice on the phone. I probably need to doorstep him but have zero time atm

 

I have never seen the attraction with this car.

 

It is rather shit, aye! But everything you say is absolutely spot on

 

This isn’t cheap but would do the job https://ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Weber-34ICH-Carburettor-Ford-Capri-Cortina-Sierra-1600cc-replaces-VV-/291594711767

That’s just how much they are. Cheap if it makes a car run beautifully, expensive if you want to spend it on ice creams for your children.

 

Thanks for all the moral support. After missing FotU last year with the bodywork not being done in time - I was really looking forward to it this time around. The dude was due to be putting the doors on and finishing off the bodywork today, so it sucks to see it behind the wheely bins sulking. Such is life.

 

I’ll come back to it after the summer; hopefully before it’s too cold.

[alcyonecorporation]

meggersdog is a very fair MoT tester if you want a sympathetic eye casting upon the base in the place. 

 

[Squire_Dawson]

Fit an SU.

 

Went through similar with the Solara (Weber twin choke). Completely buggered, spent £250 on a new carb and it made so much difference it was like a new car. I then sold the car without ever recouping my money...

 

Try The Carburettor Hospital.

[Guest Hooli]

More upmarket Fords got Webers anyway, so it'd look much more standard to fit one on this.

[Squire_Dawson]

There is a white shell (well, no wheels anyway) of a Sierra at a scrappers in Manchester.

[BorniteIdentity]

Damn my wandering (and wondering) eyes.

 

Today, I was at the Little Gransden Air and Classic Car Show. It’s a mile from my house, and yet I’ve never been. We pre-booked tickets, so were in attendance despite the weather.

 

Whilst listening to the PA system tell us of all the plane cancellations and rejigged flight schedules, we browsed the car field with great appetites. It was a very broad gaggle that had assembled; from a Carlton limousine to one of the earliest Chevettes - it was more AS than any public event I’ve ever encountered. 3 rows in, and I was entranced; drawn to this like a rat to the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

 

A 1985 Ford Escort.

 

I missed out on a MK3 last year and was bitterly disappointed. I got talking to the old boy who owned this one; the archetypal old giffer with a Suffolk accent as broad as my smile when I heard it. When I explained I was a Suffolk bumpkin and a Ford fan, he invited me to sit in the car and take it all in.

 

It was superb. Try as I might. I couldn’t fault the car.

 

He told me it was for sale, and I said ‘everything always is at the right price’. We chatted further about the supplying dealer - and he reiterated his wish to sell the car. Mentally, I was ready to pay about £2000 there and then by bank transfer.

 

£3500.

 

Not being desperate to buy a car - I smiled and thanked him for his time and generosity and mooched off.

 

Upon reflection, I should have taken his phone number and spoken to him about it in the week - explained how I like the car but not the price etc but it’s a bit late now!

 

It was lovely. I don’t think these, especially in this spec, are at £3500 yet. But what do I know?

 

 

Oh. I forgot to say.

 

bASe.

 

[BorniteIdentity]

In Sierra news, the great pinto rebuild of 2018 begins in earnest this Wednesday. Alf892 is going to talk me through the whole thing and help me get it done to a high standard. I’ve also got a boot full of parts to fit thanks to various members and my substantial overdraft.

[timolloyd]

That looks lovely, but even taking into account Ford Tax, £3.5k still feels like a lot