N19's fleet - very slow Capri progress

[N19]

34 minutes ago, sierraman said:

It will likely snap to be honest. One of those nightmare jobs. I’d do as you say and access it up top. 

Thanks. I'll scope it out and get on it next weekend I think...

[N19]

Looks like it'll work without any difficulties whatsoever. Which is good!

[danthecapriman]

41 minutes ago, N19 said:

Looks like it'll work without any difficulties whatsoever. Which is good!

Fuck me, don’t let DVLA see that! 
 

You’ll be having to put it through an IVA test and get it Q plated!

 

Years ago someone I used to work with changed the cam shaft on a Pinto engined Transit by doing something similar, but he used a hole saw to cut through the bulkhead behind the dash so he could slide the cam shaft out without taking the head off. At least that’s what he said when I asked why there was an open circular hole though the bulkhead!

[N19]

Perhaps I should remove said picture and simply say "oh look, I managed to access it with my nimble hands from underneath". Although if a plate is welded on top then it should be fine?

[danthecapriman]

1 minute ago, N19 said:

Perhaps I should remove said picture and simply say "oh look, I managed to access it with my nimble hands from underneath". Although if a plate is welded on top then it should be fine?

I was only saying it in jest! It was something in another thread concerning an EV converted Mini…

Dont worry about it, seriously👍

If that was the case I’d have to get rid of every photo of my Capri resto, Volvo floor welding etc etc.

[N19]

Yeah I did read through the consultation that they've got out recently - madness...

Anyway, I'm sure many cars have had the floor pan cut to get access to something and then had it re-plated afterwards. It's not load bearing anyhow.

[Andrew353w]

11 minutes ago, N19 said:

Anyway, I'm sure many cars have had the floor pan cut to get access to something and then had it re-plated afterwards. It's not load bearing anyhow.

Yup, I've used that "method" when changing rear in-board brake pads, to save removing axles, rear driveshafts and suspension parts! Much quicker and covered by sound-proofing and a big rear seat afterwards! 

[N19]

23 minutes ago, Andrew353w said:

Yup, I've used that "method" when changing rear in-board brake pads, to save removing axles, rear driveshafts and suspension parts! Much quicker and covered by sound-proofing and a big rear seat afterwards! 

You know, that's funny, someone told me exactly the same thing this afternoon ! 😉

[N19]

Shocks replaced both sides, floor panels re-sealed and underseal to be sprayed tomorrow.

Next job, on Friday, is moving the engine and gearbox up to the garage in preparation for reuniting with the car in what I hope will be the not too distant future...

[N19]

Engine moved to garage. Painter almost finished with prep work, lining doors up.

Next little job is the thermostat housing de-rust and paint, and the prop shaft. Heard horror stories about how repainting it unbalances it, but given that it's covered in gunk and underseal in places it's probably in need of doing anyway.

[danthecapriman]

16 minutes ago, N19 said:

Engine moved to garage. Painter almost finished with prep work, lining doors up.

Next little job is the thermostat housing de-rust and paint, and the prop shaft. Heard horror stories about how repainting it unbalances it, but given that it's covered in gunk and underseal in places it's probably in need of doing anyway.

Never heard that before.

When I did mine I cleaned it all back with a wire brush etc then painted rust dissolver onto it. Primed and painted in engine enamel to finish with new bearing & rubber doughnut. As long as you don’t knock off the balance weight you shouldn’t have any issues!? 
I can’t say I’ve noticed any problems with it since then either.  
When I cleaned mine up I found a big green part sticker on it from the factory under all the grime. I managed to save it and painted around it! Don’t know why tbh!😄

I had to replace my thermostat housing. It was in a bad way under the bit the hose slides onto. Tried wire brushing it but it just started breaking apart. Got one of those polished billet type ones in the end.

[N19]

Yeah, I did think it might be a bit of an old wives tale... or on a car where the prop was so caked up in stuff it was masking a fundamental issue! I had the needles replaced and the whole thing balanced up a few years ago, will wire brush it tomorrow and get painting.

The stat housing seems ok just a bit mucky - wire brushed and currently sitting waiting for kurust to dry.

[danthecapriman]

Here’s my prop.

Im sure when I took it to bits I marked the original position of everything with a scribe so everything lined up, then afterwards put it all back exactly as it was. 
You can see that sticker on the end in the pic.

[N19]

Discovered this on mine!

[danthecapriman]

39 minutes ago, N19 said:

Discovered this on mine!

😄

You leaving it on or getting rid? I’ve no idea what it’s for or means, maybe a part number or something? 
I just kept mine on as it had lasted so long.

[N19]

It was in pretty poor condition so I brushed it off. The whole thing cleaned up and kurusted now. 

[N19]

Mondeo back end in the air and annual kurust/waxoyl session. I used the lift i won on a raffle to do it, normally this is quite difficult because it's behind the Capri in the garage. 

 

 

The drive where the ratchet/socket goes is starting to look a bit mullered, potentially I've used the wrong socket at some point. 

 

There's also more and more wearing out of the driver's seat. Is there something you can get to stick on top and hold it all together? Not looking for beauty, just for it to not fall apart. 

 

[N19]

Last picture also shows I need to give the Mondeo a bit of love and hoover it, which seldom happens. I dislike hoovering cars more than I dislike washing them, at least washing them you get to play with the hosepipe.

The fuel tank straps on the Mondeo are looking a bit rusty and as an easy enough job I thought, right, I'll order up a couple and swap them over. Bit of metal bent to a specific shape, can't be too difficult eh? Looks like the choice is take-your-pick from Lithuania sent on ebay. Tried to ring up the local Ford dealer - in the past they were happy to look up a part and if they couldn't find it they'd at least give you the finis code - nah parts guy on holiday this week.

[grogee]

15 hours ago, N19 said:

There's also more and more wearing out of the driver's seat. Is there something you can get to stick on top and hold it all together? Not looking for beauty, just for it to not fall apart. 

I used this MastaPlasta on the Puma. It may need a bit of additional adhesive if it starts 'lifting up' at the corners. Mine did because it's in the area where the body rubs over the bolster to get into the seat. Yours looks to be in same area.

It is not a perfect match (mine was blue Ford pleather) but good enough to stop it getting worse.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173196469946

 

[N19]

That looks just the ticket! I'll order one up. I'm not bothered in it looking beautiful, functional but worn is kinda the Mondeo's general state of being!

[N19]

On 01/07/2024 at 11:36, grogee said:

I used this MastaPlasta on the Puma. It may need a bit of additional adhesive if it starts 'lifting up' at the corners. Mine did because it's in the area where the body rubs over the bolster to get into the seat. Yours looks to be in same area.

It is not a perfect match (mine was blue Ford pleather) but good enough to stop it getting worse.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173196469946

 

As a quick and easy job it feels good. I've let a bit of superglue into the seam that was splitting to reinforce it and stop it getting worse, then slapped these on. Adhesive feels strong, but will monitor edges. 

[N19]

Further Capri parts cleaning and prep happened.

These indicator unit nut inserts fail, it's a common thing on them as the plastic is old and brittle. The one on the right I managed to salvage and glue a nut inside, the rest just fell apart when I tried, so a bit of metal cut to size and I can nut and bolt it.

Also brushed, primed and painted the gearbox mount holder, when dry to reinstate the centre rubber with new fixings.

 

I have hopefully the correct fuel tank straps en route from europe at a reasonable price. In the meantime I've given the existing fixings for them a generous bathing in WD40.

[N19]

Bollocks to everything.

Nobody seemed to have the right tank straps, so I ordered some which ebay assured me fitted.

The obvious happened and they didn't. A few inches too short.

By this point I had removed the old ones and seen the state they were in (hrmmmmm) with developed rust and holes in some corner bits, so it didn't seem wise to put them back on. Autoshite bodgery adopted - the good end with the eyelet hole cut off and bolted to the flattened end of the new one.

Albeit they are now slightly on the large side so going to get some thick foam tomorrow to fill the gap. Will also check the tightness of the bolts and apply threadlock at that point too.

Bloody frustrating but, apart from the arguments with sellers etc, I wasn't keen on putting the old parts back on once I'd seen the state of them (and doubtless weakened them getting them out).

[N19]

Right, where were we.

Straps fixed and checked the next day, bolts have been threadlocked on tight. Re-undersealing completed. I invested in a set of cone cutters which made a lovely job of opening up the holes, and far more professionally than using a series of larger drills and/or abusing a drill bit at an angle.

Also re-stocked the garage with nuts and bolts aplenty after a trip to Orbitals, who are a fantastic local company. These were used to reassemble the front bumper of the Capri with the indicators and numberplates.

Mondeo has a failing CV joint which became increasingly bad on a recent journey. Until earlier in the week it was only noticeable on a sharp bend, but got to the point where it makes all sorts of awful noises - parked up for now.

I gave the Focus a bit of attention this afternoon. It's been a little over a year since I bought it from @mrbenn and it's performed very well over that time and remains a nice car to drive. There's been a blow on the exhaust which I sorted back in February with a bandage, but this began leaking throwing a 'check engine' light (code reader showed something about the cat input being out of range). Now re-taped nicely, various fluids topped up, a good wash inside and out. It is usually used around town, to/from the station, shops, local errands etc so I took it tonight on a blast up and down the A1 to 'clear the cobwebs out'.

There are a couple of scratches here and there which I intend on sorting out. The car has been really well looked after which I am trying to keep up with!

I've also updated my exciting* mileage spreadsheet. The graph shows the number of miles each car has traveled in a particular month. Some interesting spikes, usually caused by long trips, and whilst the Mondeo is usually doing the higher mileage this has changed recently thanks to ULEZ.

 

[mrbenn]

Great to see the Focus is still providing sterling service @N19! It was an absolutely brilliant car for me and I do miss it. The mk2 Focus I run now has sadly not continued that theme. More things have either broken or worn out on the mk2 in 1 year than did on that mk1 in 10 years!

[N19]

A few bits have been happening. Nothing too exciting though I'm afraid. I've seen a couple of pics of the Capri as the paint continues. I got the engine all spray painted and the next job is to change various service parts - as well as the clutch and cambelt, will be doing the core plugs, crankshaft oil seal, sump gasket and generally all those bits which are an utter pain in the arse to do if the engine is in situ. 

The Mondeo's oil pressure switch got snagged in the oil filter ratchet when I did an oil change recently, which pulled the plug to bits. I bought a new pressure switch and wired it in, but the access is abysmal. There's some access from below but with lots of constraints. Might be easier to access by taking the exhaust manifold off. For now, left as is.

(the crimped nut & bolt is replacing a broken earth wire a little while ago)

Next up, I sanded and repainted the front bumper, which had flaked off in a few places since I last did it a couple of years ago. Lacquered to boot.

It's been up and down on a decent few motorway runs recently. I've bought a new trailer socket and relay to properly wire up the electrics for a trailer - I had to bodge something a couple of years ago to get me by.

On the Capri front, I've been working on various ancilliary bits. The side rubbing strips have threaded studs inset into them which are then fastened with nuts from the inside. Several of mine were either missing or otherwise fudged, so they were either cleaned up with a die, or replaced with a bolt set in with silicone.

I'm not sure if this radio works, it was one from a box of random parts. It doesn't pick up FM, so if the tape player is kaput too (likely, as the belts get old) then I will do what I did before and fit a radio in the glove box or bottom of the dash, and fit this in for the "look". In fact, if it *is* unrepairable, I could link up the volume or on/off button to the 'hidden' radio, and link up the backlight, so it looks the part.

Finally, a coat of engine enamel on the gearbox. I painted the Pinto block with this stuff and it was a really nice finish, although of course the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

I bought the paint from the local motorfactor who has these on a high-up shelf. I already have two radiators in my garage, but how often do you come across things like this...?

 

[N19]

The Mondeo was due an MoT, so deserved a bit of attention.

A look over prior to MoT time included the replacement of a tail lamp (one was incorrectly a higher wattage which shouldn't even have fitted in), and a tweak of the headlight aim.

Turns out I was a bit early to preserve the date - but getting it done brings the test date to 8th Aug-9th Sept, breaking it up a bit from the other fleet members due in early Oct. 

Pass achieved.

A couple of bits to finish off including wiring up the towbar socket and a couple of pre-emptive jobs. Quite impressed that it's still reasonably easily getting through the miles and the MoT passes - and especially given that I didn't look over it in any great detail, just a quick once-over. Emissions still fine - actually looks lower than last year. Still doing 5000-6000 miles per year, despite the ulez.

The brake fluid was quite a few years old, and the rear efficiency wasn't great (though still passed), so time for a flush through. 

 

Now *much* more solid responsive pedal!

Focus due in a month or so.

Capri in primer. Slow progress. However, was reminded that you can have two out of good, quick, or cheap. 

[N19]

I popped in to see the Capri this week and had a chat with the painter. Albeit that I know sod all about paintwork.

It was nice to see it and have a nosey around. There are a large number of things all over the body which he's gone over and corrected, and was saying about the door gaps needing done too (although I can't remember if I'll need to take them off when I re-fit things).

I picked up some new wishbones for the Mondeo from the factors. Looked at doing the n/s one,

Sodding thing needs the engine and gearbox to be lifted up in order for the bolt to come out!

The whole thing was left to soak in penetrating oil anyway.

Moving around to the o/s, it was a job with a fair bit of frustration because of difficult access but in the end achieved in approx 1h which for the first time doing one, fannying around with access and fetching different sockets etc, isn't too bad. Lots of time spent trying to get everything in position afterwards, I used a couple of very long M8 bolts as temporary 'pins' to keep things in roughly the right place whilst I got everything located.

Went out for a drive for about half an hour - will check and re-torque the bolts during the week, and replace the fan belt splash guard which I ran out of time to reinstate.

[plasticvandan]

That brings back a memory of my dad's n reg MK1 Mondeo,having used it hard for three years fetching classic bikes around the country and general commuting,that particular wishbone needed changing,on discovering that wonderful*design feature having stripped everything else that was the end of it and it got scrapped

[N19]

2 hours ago, plasticvandan said:

That brings back a memory of my dad's n reg MK1 Mondeo,having used it hard for three years fetching classic bikes around the country and general commuting,that particular wishbone needed changing,on discovering that wonderful*design feature having stripped everything else that was the end of it and it got scrapped

You do wonder how many of them will have been scrapped for a silly thing like that. 

I was pondering yesterday whether I could get away with angle grinding it off, and reinserting a bolt "upside down" with the nut on top. However, whilst such a bodge might be fine on something non-essential, I'd hesitate to do it on suspension parts.