Project 1975 Ford Granada Coupe - Lots & lots of tinkering

[dollywobbler]

"The engine is now ready to start," and yet it isn't running. This highlights a key difference between you and I - patience! Oh, and skill. I am so excited about the fire up video that I hope you will make.

[Mally]

I think I'd have machined a phosphor bronze bush for the crank, rather than stripped the box down, I don't do gearboxes if I can help it.

[davocano]

On 6/28/2020 at 8:51 AM, TripleRich said:

I also removed all the locks from the car and took them apart.  Using parts from other locks I been able to match them all to the same key.

One of the greatest threads on AS but the matter-of-fact statements such as this one I picked at random set it apart from others.

Supernatural levels of skill throughout this restoration.

[Cord Fourteener]

This is looking wonderful and very shiny! What a treat.

[ETCHY]

Fantastic.

Covers it all really !

[antony denman]

20 hours ago, TripleRich said:

Of course, posh car!  Or so they wanted you to think.

 

 

[antony denman]

Just now, antony denman said:

 

here my eft overs forgot i had them,

[High Jetter]

5 hours ago, davocano said:

One of the greatest threads on AS but the matter-of-fact statements such as this one I picked at random set it apart from others.

Supernatural levels of skill throughout this restoration.

I've done similar with household mortice locks, but doing it with car-size locks with many 'levers' is stunningly impressive. As is this whole project. We need a 'we are not worthy' icon.

[406V6]

On 11/22/2020 at 8:40 PM, TripleRich said:

Coolant is Comma 50/50 premix - The water here is liquid rock so some premixed stuff will do a much better job than a rad full of limescale.

Fantastic work. On the subject of coolant I know the problem as the water round my way is liquid rock and needs a descaler in the house.  A tip to get scale-free water. If you have a dehmumidifier or know someone that has, the water collected in the drainage tank won't have any scale as it's come out of the air.

[TripleRich]

Its running!  Pulled some late nights and fitted the gearbox, driveshaft and exhaust ready for the big moment.

Doesn't matter how many times you do it its always a bit scary.  This one especially being my own car!  Here's a short vid of the first cough then start and some initial tuning.

I'm now working my way through the various jobs left to do including some engine teething issues such as...

• Fuel leak from carb - already fixed it, filter bolt wasn't tight
• Valve clearances need doing
• Oil leak from crank pulley due to it being in very poor condition -  I'll swap it for another one
• Temp sender doesn't work

It needs tuning/ setting up but to only have those 4 small issues so far is fantastic.  I've had it much worse in the past on other engines.

Lots of little jobs left to do but I can relax a bit now, the hard stuff is done.

 

[AndySnapper]

Congratulations Rich!

Just reward for all of your hard work and diligence.

Very well done!

Andy 

[danthecapriman]

Well done Rich, first start is always a bit of a mixed bag, on one hand your guts drop out your arse as your scared shitless of something being wrong or getting damaged, on the other hand once it starts firing and almost running your well pleased as it’s about to come to life again!

Sounds and looks great!👍

[Asimo]

[DaveDorson]

How satisfying! 

[High Jetter]

Ace, sounds Grand! Your voice reminds me of Bill Bailey!

[Datsuncog]

Magnificent. Simply magnificent.

It's been an honour to watch this fine beast come back to life - kudos, dude!

[dozeydustman]

Well done that man, take yesterday off!

Always nice to see projects nearing completion, a just reward for all your patience and hard work.

[anonymous user]

This is one of the best threads ever

[Ian_Fearn]

I would like to nominate @TripleRich for next years Queens honours list. 

[dollywobbler]

Major moment! It's alive! Wonderful. Also, what he said. ^^^

[busmansholiday]

8 minutes ago, Ian_Fearn said:

I would like to nominate @TripleRich for next years Queens honours list. 

https://www.gov.uk/honours

[fordmad80]

I wish I could see the start up everytime I click on lick just keeps saying download failed but I bet it you where nervous when the engine first started to crank well done on all the hard work you have put into this maybe do a photo montage on YouTube when car is finally Road legal

Sent from my PCT-L29 using Tapatalk

[RichL]

Fantastic! 

Really enjoyed following all your hard work on this its superb

[UltraWomble]

Ah, thats such a nice sound and so rewarding.

Well done.

[TripleRich]

Cheers guys!  Appreciate all the interest and support over the years on this thread.  There were many times where I wondered if I'd ever get this far.  Being able to post here really helped with the motivation and help me stay focused on what I was going to do next.

I knew it would run once I put the heads on and turned it by hand but it's always a nervous moment.  Until that oil pressure gauge shoots up you can never be 100% sure.

I've still got lots of bits and pieces left to do but I'm a very happy man.  I'm leaving it on the axle stands for now and will finish up everything underneath before going for a spin around the yard.

[Mrs6C]

21 hours ago, TripleRich said:

Its running!  Pulled some late nights and fitted the gearbox, driveshaft and exhaust ready for the big moment.

Huzzah!!!

Jolly well done. It has been great to watch this move through its restoration and see all the fantastic work that you have put into it.

Huzzah again!!!

[MKT]

Class job mate, looking forward to seeing a video of it driving! 

[TripleRich]

I'm continuing to progress with various jobs all over the car.  These include the usual niggles you come to expect when trying to get a car back on the road.

I've checked the electrics.  Everything works except two things...

• Fuel gauge reads much lower than it should, needs investigating, I've checked the sender and it's fine
• Dashboard illumination is very poor,  possible bulb or rheostat issue

I've changed the front springs.  This is a pig of a job with the car assembled but I had no choice.  One of the original front springs gave up and went soft after I put the engine in.  

With that done the car now sits level at the front

I've fitted a period correct battery.  Painted the caps yellow and applied some stickers.  Sad I know but it does really make a big difference to the engine bay.

I've retorqued the cylinder heads now its been running and adjusted the valve clearances.  Its now very smooth and quiet.  Also cleaned and salvaged the original airbox.

I've done some more tuning.  Bit of a fiddle with these carbs as you have 5 screws to mess with.  Its much closer now and I'll continue to mess about with it.

Done the tracking remembering to do the rear wheels as well.

Done loads of other small jobs...

• Touch up paintwork under the car
• Replace temperature sender
• Fit a crank pulley that doesn't leak
• Check & top off all fluids
• Torque rear wheel bearings
• Check/tighten various bolts relating to suspension and secure all lock tabs
• Adjust washer jets
• Fit remainder or exhaust
• Adjust clutch
• Tighten and split pin all subframe bolts

Still got a few problems with the main one being the brakes.  I'm getting close to solving it, just need some more time.  The rear brakes are drawing in air from somewhere.  I think its from the threads on the blead nipples while bleeding is happening.  After isolating the rear I can confirm the front brakes, master cylinder and proportioning valve are fine so I'll continue working on the rear brakes.  I've changed the wheel cylinders just in case but it's not those.

Also got those electrical issues to look at and a possible blow in the exhaust.  All standard stuff really, no major issues but the brakes is a bit frustrating due to all the nice paint there is to mess up!

I'll keep at it, not far away now.  I have sufficient brakes to drive the car and I have around the yard.  Feels nice and smooth with no nasty noises or whines from gearbox or diff.  Only got into third gear and it was dark so no photos unfortunately.  Its like driving a magic carpet so I'm really looking forward to that first long drive.

When I get the brakes and tyres sorted I'll get out on the road for some local test drives.  

[ETCHY]

Liking the period correct battery yeah stuff like that makes a big difference.

Great thread and fantastic work.

You should be very proud of this, well done 

 

[mat_the_cat]

52 minutes ago, TripleRich said:

Still got a few problems with the main one being the brakes.  I'm getting close to solving it, just need some more time.  The rear brakes are drawing in air from somewhere.  I think its from the threads on the blead nipples while bleeding is happening.

Have you got access to a pressure bleeder? That would get round the problem - or prove it's elsewhere.