N19's fleet - Focussing on a wiring fault

[wesacosa]

Love this car.

my favourite steering wheel.  I got told off my my mum for spending my last tenner on one for my mk2 Escort Popular when I couldn't afford to even put fuel in it!  Like the base dash too

[N19]

3 minutes ago, wesacosa said:

Love this car.

my favourite steering wheel.  I got told off my my mum for spending my last tenner on one for my mk2 Escort Popular when I couldn't afford to even put fuel in it!  Like the base dash too

you'd definitely know if you hit it!!

[danthecapriman]

I had the exact same problem with the new speedo cables. Shitty modern parts again! I did similar to you to get the circlip to fit, it’s not perfect but it’s working. I never can understand why they make replacement parts like that because it’s absolutely useless how it comes!

And yes, drilling into freshly painted bodywork is terrifying isn’t it!😄     
My heart was in my mouth when I was measuring and drilling my door mirror mounts! 
I had to do all the little rivet holes for the window trims on mine too. A good idea when fitting stuff like that is to drill the holes, then run a bit of paint around the edge of the hole. Then when you fit the rivets/bolts/clips etc dip them into some underseal or wax first then fit them into the holes to stop moisture and rust getting to the edges.

[N19]

It's frustrating because, yes, grinding down the part isn't too difficult but it is an extra step that's a pain. It means you've to fetch the angle grinder and the right disc and then do it nice and even and... it could have been a five minute job now it's an hour!!

Yes I put a blob of touch up paint on the holes, chiefly so that they have some protection. Have to do the window trim bits at some point, not sure if will rivet or use a small self tapper.

[N19]

Time to do some slightly terrifying drilling!

Matches up pretty nicely with the original rear one.

Speedo wise, a bit of filing and the circlip seemed to seat nicely...

and indeed speeds registered

Circlip subsequently discovered having fallen out so a little more fettling to be done to get it to seat nicely.

No pictures, but I also moved forward with reinstating the back seats. The catch which holds the upright, err, upright, is right underneath the trim which lead to some right faffing around to get the trim all taken off again, catch in, and then re-built. In the meantime though I did repair some trim clips which means the interior side trim sits nicely and securely. The exact fixing method of the rear seats backs escapes me and was fiddly so going to review pictures before I go and have a play later in the week. (the rear seats bottom is ironically 2 screws and will take about two minutes).

[mk2_craig]

Plates look just as good on the Capri as I expected they would. 

[N19]

Still got some bits to sort out in the dash, like this misaligned vent...

 

The bonnet needs adjusted to sit properly, and enable the catch to go in. This will probably be tomorrow (much easier with more bodies) but I've pre-emptively done a bit of taping, in order to avoid any risk of damage.

 

Moving to the back of the car, I found these mislaid bars...

...which will go at the bottom of the seats to allow them to be bolted in. For now, the upper catches are installed, which means they will sit upright. I'll get the bottoms fixed in tomorrow, and then the bench seat will just go on top.

Tax disc reinstated - original holder, reproduction disc. 

 

A progress shot of the trim all coming together. There's a specific order which should be followed, and resulted in me having to re-do it about three times, but means everything is (almost) tight and fixed nicely.

[High Jetter]

That's class, 2 ovens and a fridge freezer in the garage - or is the car in the kitchen? 😀

[N19]

This corner of the garage is where longer term projects typically sit, and includes the fridge and lunching facilities for the staff... convenient and/or dangerous when there's pizza on hand!

[Surface Rust]

On 14/01/2025 at 23:13, danthecapriman said:

I’m always paranoid with Pinto in-line fuel filters, where the hose curves up from pump to carb where the filter pretty much has to go, it always looks like it bending the ends of the filters. It’s never happened to me yet, nut it’s always in my mind that one day the plastic end of the filter will snap or crack!

I had the same thing worrying me on one of my cars and fitted one like this, it made the routing much better.

https://www.eurocarparts.com/search/503700078?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAkc28BhB0EiwAM001TRw8LK8dgNCS4OyDZBOaiq78_bIAjMi0dZOskUW3UWxLWbq_Ckgl5BoCRr0QAvD_BwE

[N19]

After significant fiddling and dropping of screws,

the back seats, parcel shelf, are all in 

 

which serves to make it look much more like a car!

Tomorrow - continue to work on issues, add passenger seat, write final to do list. 

[N19]

A long but ultimately productive day today.

First up, one of the alternator bolts had disappeared, and the other was so long it was rubbing on the fanbelt. Fan belt was old anyway, so I'll pop to the factors for a new one. Bolts replaced with shorter ones and nylock nuts used.

A little more fettling and filing managed to sort out the circlip issue on the speedo cable, so that's now in place, secure, and routed.

I went out for a drive and the heavens opened halfway through. The bonnet remains skew wiff. Topped up with some v-power.

(I was standing off the apron in case any DSEAR types are watching)

The old wheel nuts got replaced with shiny new ones,

One of the biggest things I dislike about cars is cleaning the inside. At least with the outside, you get to play with the pressure washer, and living in a flat it's a pain as you've got to drag the hoover downstairs and chuck an extension cord out of the window. I'll definltey never be one of those detailing yo types. But I wanted to give the Capri a good vacuum and the Mondeo was feeling pretty rank inside, so I brought it in alongside and did both. Air line in the garage very handy for disloging dirt and crap. 

...but the true reward from this was what I found under the seats...

bloody heck!

Anyway enough prevarication. Back seat screwed in... two self-tappers at the bottom keep it in place! although the bench does locate nicely in the body so I suppose it's only to stop it lifting up.

The back seats are also seatbelt-less, legal as it was manufactured before 1986. I did consider whether to fit them when doing this work (the bodyshell does have the mounting points - many were done, it was a dealer option IIRC, and presumably the final examples produced were fitted as standard.

Back seats are quite badly torn, a local retrimmer did the front seats just before lockdown and never got around to taking the back ones in - I might see if they're still around! 

The front seat in and it's starting to look nearly finished... I've kept the odd seat in the drivers position for a little longer - it's from a GL I think, I bought it and some GL rear seats (which I subsequently passed on to someone else) a few years ago. It's handy to have as a spare seat especially when you're in and out of the car in grubby grimy oily clothes.

A foray into the ns door. The lock wasn't working, took it out, gave it a good clean out and it was seemingly fine. OK great put it back together... nope, key won't go all the way in. It feels like there's something inside which doesn't sit properly.  When you give it a little push, it's like it pops back into place and it will then turn - for a bit. I'll get it down to the local locksmiths and see what they think.

The trim clips here were actually riveted in, I think. I've never riveted anything before! That's a next week job.

Part of the dash bottom reinstated, with ashtray and cigar lighter (both unused). Have no idea where the centre/right part of this trim actually is, come to think of it. Hrmm.

I've also had a further look at the vacuum leak. Having done some road tests, I don't think that the servo is faulty. When you brake, the brakes feel normal (for a Capri!) and perform quite happily. The issue is with the engine struggling when the vacuum is being drawn on. I've had a look around the inlet manifold and tightened a couple of bolts here and there, I've also taken the carb off and will re-seal the gasket. 

 

[N19]

The only bit of the vacuum system still with a question mark, was the inlet manifold.

it came off... bit by bit...

I've cleaned it up and, although I had to stop for the day, I'll reassemble it tomorrow, and see if that helps.

The bonnet has also been re-aligned and is now looking pretty damn good.

... so the end is in sight?!

[crad]

On 26/01/2025 at 22:48, N19 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[N19]

Inlet manifold gasket replaced and gasket sealed up, not sure if I used enough (!)

The car is now much better when braking, there is still a tiny bit of hunting going on, but it feels far more driveable (I couldn't get it to stall at all).

Admired the front and changed a blown sidelight bulb.

almost complete dash

To-do list :-

• wire in heated rear window
• find hazard light switch and install
• re-align drivers dash demister
• adjust choke cable
• reinstate dash lower kick plate (above pedals) - new one - plus side kick plates
• change radio feed from always-on connection to ignition switched live
• repaint and reinstate cambelt cover
• rear tailgate decals - "C A P R I     1 . 6 L"
• present for MoT, squeaky bum time
• complete further shakedown/bedding in runs

[N19]

Possibly one for @Wibble with your conservator-esque hat on.? a question about adhesives for plastic, please...

I've a bit of plastic trim which is, in effect, skirting for the passenger seat. There is a split along it, it sits neatly together but is cracked. Non load bearing, purely aesthetic, crack in a reasonably discreet area.

What's the best adhesive to use - araldite? cyanoacrylate? is it advised to somehow "patch" it from behind to give it a bit of strength, or is this ott?

thanks!

[Wibble]

1 hour ago, N19 said:

Possibly one for @Wibble with your conservator-esque hat on.? a question about adhesives for plastic, please...

I've a bit of plastic trim which is, in effect, skirting for the passenger seat. There is a split along it, it sits neatly together but is cracked. Non load bearing, purely aesthetic, crack in a reasonably discreet area.

What's the best adhesive to use - araldite? cyanoacrylate? is it advised to somehow "patch" it from behind to give it a bit of strength, or is this ott?

thanks!

Sorry mate, not my field and I have the same problem with the aprons disintegrating around my Cortina seats but I haven’t given it much thought yet.

[N19]

6 hours ago, Wibble said:

Sorry mate, not my field and I have the same problem with the aprons disintegrating around my Cortina seats but I haven’t given it much thought yet.

No worries at all, just wondered if it's something you'd come across! Cheers

[Andrew353w]

• change radio feed from always-on connection to ignition switched live

From my ownership of a "S" registration 1.6 L Capri in the early 1980s I vaguely remember an "accessories" option in the ignition key, allowing the radio to be used without the ignition being on, thus preventing the battery draining and the coil overheating. If this is an option, I'd recommend it!

[N19]

1 hour ago, Andrew353w said:

• change radio feed from always-on connection to ignition switched live

From my ownership of a "S" registration 1.6 L Capri in the early 1980s I vaguely remember an "accessories" option in the ignition key, allowing the radio to be used without the ignition being on, thus preventing the battery draining and the coil overheating. If this is an option, I'd recommend it!

I will have a check ,I can't actually think off the top of my head, but you might be right. Essentially, I took the feed from the erstwhile cig lighter rather than the designated radio feed on the loom, hence the radio playing without any keys in the ignition - which is a recipe for me flattening the battery by leaving it on one day!

[N19]

The first job of the day was a nice 20-mile run up to Brookmans Park area, with plenty of country roads.

the trim clips had been riveted in, so I got the rear quarterlight window trim back on.

the masking tape was whilst it slide in, in case of any issues. The top bit of trim is still slightly out of shape, but not vastly so.

Glovebox wiring was next, swapped the live feed to be ignition switched rather than always on. Added a USB charging port, nicely hidden, for good measure.

Rear decals to go back on. I measured the distance and marked it with tape, but then realised that the backing paper that the decals are supplied on has a different margin on each. The sheet of A4 therefore provided a straight edge.

Rubbed enthusiastically with a national insurance number card... (did you know they don't issue them to kids anymore when they turn 16?!)

Doesn't look too bad, although the "L" should be closer to the "1.6" I think.

Either way, it's a nice moment.

Finally, moved the car onto a 2-poster in another unit at the garage. The final jobs of exhaust-fettling and underseal beckon. There's a few bits where it's been damaged or scraped during assembly, so these will be fixed.

I am hoping that next weekend I will be able to present it for an MoT. The request will be for the tester to be as pedantic as he can!

[Wibble]

Looks amazing!

[N19]

1 minute ago, Wibble said:

Looks amazing!

Thanks. It felt amazing to just get in the car, start it up, and go for a drive. With hardly any niggles at all.

The garage will be doing a couple of jobs for me this week and then hopefully it'll move back to my lockup very soon. The only jobs then to do will be little bits and pieces, here and there.

[N19]

On 31/01/2025 at 08:08, Andrew353w said:

• change radio feed from always-on connection to ignition switched live

From my ownership of a "S" registration 1.6 L Capri in the early 1980s I vaguely remember an "accessories" option in the ignition key, allowing the radio to be used without the ignition being on, thus preventing the battery draining and the coil overheating. If this is an option, I'd recommend it!

This is, indeed, the case. The radio feed is switched on position 1, and it is that that I've taken across to power the radio now. 

[danthecapriman]

Lookin’ absolutely gorgeous!

How come your MOT’ing it? Just peace of mind or are you doing it annually like in the old days😄

[N19]

8 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Lookin’ absolutely gorgeous!

How come your MOT’ing it? Just peace of mind or are you doing it annually like in the old days😄

Peace of mind, best practice, etc. I will still be doing it annually , I have a decent MoT station who can test old cars without getting confused.

[N19]

Today's been quite a day.

I still think that there's some weakness in the fuel pump department. I had the car running for a while waiting for the MoT - probably about 30-45 minutes idling, whilst I did some final checks.

The test lane was ready so I took the car out, spun it around, and brought it back in. Sat with it idling and about 2 minutes later the engine cut out. Very low level in the fuel filter, albeit, the fuel filter is a bit big and usually sits with an air bubble in there. A squirt of brake cleaner down the carb got things into life again. 

Hmm.

Anyhow, on with the test...

Lovely!

A real milestone reached.

The car is now back in my own lockup, with only a few snagging issues remaining.

[Wibble]

10 minutes ago, N19 said:

Today's been quite a day.

I still think that there's some weakness in the fuel pump department. I had the car running for a while waiting for the MoT - probably about 30-45 minutes idling, whilst I did some final checks.

The test lane was ready so I took the car out, spun it around, and brought it back in. Sat with it idling and about 2 minutes later the engine cut out. Very low level in the fuel filter. A squirt of brake cleaner down the carb got things into life again. 

Hmm.

Anyhow, on with the test.

Lovely!

A real milestone reached.

The car is now back in my own lockup, with only a few snagging issues remaining.

Absolutely fantastic! I am over the moon for you, well done, it’s fabulous.

[danthecapriman]

Well done!👍

Hardly surprising though really. Just look at it! It’s practically a new car again😄

[N19]

It isn't a bad achievement for someone who's (a) born 10 years after the car was manufactured, (b) an IT manager in the public sector, (c) hadn't done any work on a car before 2016. Clearly a lot of help along the way, and there's still some things to iron out and finish off, but I am feeling pretty happy about it.