Cars of Crackers: Wagon In

[wuvvum]

2008 will be the 2.7.

[Crackers]

You know what, if I try to remain oblivious to the financial disaster that's about to take me dry, I'm quite pleased with this little 'temporary' car I've bought. 

I think my frame of reference for speed is a bit twisted after the last couple of years driving much more powerful turbocharged cars, it doesn't feel as quick as I expected but maybe part of that is because you sit so high up. 

I reckon it needs a pair of tyres and about a day's work on it, all pretty minor jobs, and it'd be a great car. Obviously the wanky red badges and trims will be coming off and replaced with standard. 

It's not going to be a long-termer, but I'm more than happy to stick with it until the situation arises where I can get into something big and wafty again. 

[beko1987]

I think it's inadvertently become your 'oh shit' car 😂😢

[Crackers]

  On 12/01/2025 at 18:05, beko1987 said:

I think it's inadvertently become your 'oh shit' car 😂😢

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It has, but kind of by coincidence. 

I tried to buy a black ST150 in December which fell through. When I suddenly needed a second car I managed to find this one and jumped on it. 

[Talbot]

  On 12/01/2025 at 16:52, wuvvum said:

2008 will be the 2.7.

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But... is the HP pump and the fuel rails/injectors the same?  Potentially...

[Floatylight]

Another one here that is 3l with OMGHGF, looks like it would break well..

https://www.facebook.com/share/18Vc3Rk3xR/

[Talbot]

That could be a very economic way of getting all the parts needed, known working, plus it would break for some monies afterwards.

[Dyslexic Viking]

Wouldn't using used parts be the same as pissing your pants to stay warm? It works for a bit but passes quickly. Especially when it comes to complicated parts like this fuel system.

[Tickman]

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:12, Dyslexic Viking said:

Wouldn't using used parts be the same as pissing your pants to stay warm? It works for a bit but passes quickly. Especially when it comes to complicated parts like this fuel system.

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You keep saying that your grasp of the English language is poor and then you come out with solid gold like this.

Your grasp of the language is perfect from what I can see.

[Dyslexic Viking]

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:31, Tickman said:

You keep saying that your grasp of the English language is poor and then you come out with solid gold like this.

Your grasp of the language is perfect from what I can see.

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Thanks, but I have to admit that I get some help from google translate putting things to together.

But I have gotten to the point now where I have to correct google translate at times which I find funny that I have to.

[Talbot]

TBH I have always found good Second-hand parts to be far superior to reconditioned or off-brand aftermarket.  As long as said second-hand parts are Genuine, then you just have to be careful.

I am a complete tightwad though.

[Dyslexic Viking]

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:46, Talbot said:

TBH I have always found good Second-hand parts to be far superior to reconditioned or off-brand aftermarket.  As long as said second-hand parts are Genuine, then you just have to be careful.

I am a complete tightwad though.

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But with a main fuel pump known to fail and it's a lot of work involved to replace it isn't a used part a bit risky?

[SiC]

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:10, Talbot said:

That could be a very economic way of getting all the parts needed, known working, plus it would break for some monies afterwards.

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I think the least risk too. Replace the entire fuel system, tank, filters, pumps, pipes, etc with the donor cars to know there isn't going to be a chance of swarf contamination. 

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:48, Dyslexic Viking said:

But with a main fuel pump known to fail and it's a lot of work involved to replace it isn't a used part a bit risky?

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I think crackers intends to get shot of this if he gets it back on the road. Or if extended warranty is still available, get it re-enabled quick!

[High Jetter]

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:44, Dyslexic Viking said:

gotten

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American inflation. UK = got. Otherwise, 10/10

[beko1987]

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:52, SiC said:

Replace the entire fuel system, tank, filters, pumps, pipes, etc 

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Sounds like a doddle 😂 

But by far the most trustworthy way. You'd want to inspect and clean all you can from the donor car though as you go

[ianjobber87]

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:04, Floatylight said:

Another one here that is 3l with OMGHGF, looks like it would break well..

https://www.facebook.com/share/18Vc3Rk3xR/

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That wont be the headgasket. It'll be the oil cooler so not too bad to fix. 

[Supernaut]

It almost seems like people are suggesting Crackers buys another broken (but less broken than his) Jag and just fix that one instead!

[IronStar]

  On 13/01/2025 at 10:48, Supernaut said:

It almost seems like people are suggesting Crackers buys another broken (but less broken than his) Jag and just fix that one instead!

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It’s the AS way! 😄

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:04, Floatylight said:

Another one here that is 3l with OMGHGF, looks like it would break well..

https://www.facebook.com/share/18Vc3Rk3xR/

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Your car prices are mental. It never ceases to amaze me just how much of a car £1000 buys over there. It would probably buy a burnt out husk with a title over here. 

EDIT: Just checked, 3500€ buys you a 2.7 with the description “something’s wrong with the engine”, 5000€ for the cheapest one that runs and drives. Cheapest 3.0 is 2011 in dishwasher white that’s been crashed and has a rear wheel hanging off. 5.5k

 

[Crackers]

  On 13/01/2025 at 10:55, IronStar said:

Your car prices are mental. It never ceases to amaze me just how much of a car £1000 buys over there. It would probably buy a burnt out husk with a title over here. 

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I was chatting with a Dutch friend the other day and mentioned the car. Bearing in mind I paid £6k for this Jag, the same car (age, mileage, engine, trim level) was somewhere between €12k-€15k over there. Mental. 

Ironically if I'd bought if for €15k, then it'd be worth repairing even with a €5k bill! 

[horriblemercedes]

  On 12/01/2025 at 19:48, Dyslexic Viking said:

But with a main fuel pump known to fail and it's a lot of work involved to replace it isn't a used part a bit risky?

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These pumps rarely fail. I think that a used one is a pretty good idea

[Talbot]

It is a very odd failure.  I have to wonder if something upstream (the filter for instance) has failed or has passed something damaging downstream to the pump.

I have to say, if it were my car, I'd be looking to swap out the entire fuel system.  The risk of swarf is just too high.

[Dyslexic Viking]

  On 13/01/2025 at 11:53, Talbot said:

I have to say, if it were my car, I'd be looking to swap out the entire fuel system.  The risk of swarf is just too high.

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But it will be expensive if he has to pay someone to do it. Alternatively, if it is too much for him to do it himself, get a parts car and rent or borrow a place to work on them and offer free beer and take away to members her for a weekend to help? That should give him a working car by Monday or two broken ones and a gigantic mess. 

[Stanky]

  On 13/01/2025 at 17:01, Dyslexic Viking said:

But it will be expensive if he has to pay someone to do it. Alternatively, if it is too much for him to do it himself, get a parts car and rent or borrow a place to work on them and offer free beer and take away to members her for a weekend to help? That should give him a working car by Monday or two broken ones and a gigantic mess. Worth taking the chance?

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Puts hand up.

I solemnly promise that if you provide free beer all weekend I guarantee that I will deliver you 2 broken cars and a gigantic mess by sunday evening.  

[Crackers]

Hmm, that roundabout felt very understeery.

Fuck, that's flat. 

Can I have some luck now please? 

[Crackers]

New shoes on the Festa. 

Goes round corners and doesn't wheelspin in 3rd any more. 

Does now crunch into 2nd, sometimes. Which is nice. 

[Crackers]

Look like the little Fez is going to the Nurburgring in a couple of months in convoy with some much, much more capable cars. 

Better start getting it match-fit by... 

Replacing the heater fan, obvs. 

New lower arms on the way as they're knocking, gearbox oil to be replaced shortly, and it needs a rear caliper as one seems to be completely seized off. 

Other than those, it needs a driver's window regulator and the headlights polished. A few hour's work in all - not bad for the cheapest ST150 I could find!

[Matty]

  On 28/01/2025 at 17:34, Crackers said:

Look like the little Fez is going to the Nurburgring in a couple of months in convoy with some much, much more capable cars. 

Better start getting it match-fit by... 

Replacing the heater fan, obvs. 

New lower arms on the way as they're knocking, gearbox oil to be replaced shortly, and it needs a rear caliper as one seems to be completely seized off. 

Other than those, it needs a driver's window regulator and the headlights polished. A few hour's work in all - not bad for the cheapest ST150 I could find!

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I've done that heater blower job too. Cheaper than getting your hands exfoliated. I removed a complete layer of skin from both hands and mended the car as a bonus 😁

[Crackers]

  On 28/01/2025 at 19:45, Matty said:

I've done that heater blower job too. Cheaper than getting your hands exfoliated. I removed a complete layer of skin from both hands and mended the car as a bonus 😁

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Bit of a sod of a job, luckily I have have fairly dainty* hands so wasn't too awful and only took an hour or so. I was preparing for a proper swear fest having read online how long it's taken some people 😅

 

 

*pathetic

[Crackers]

I'm convinced this car wants fixing. It's so easy to work on, I'm really enjoying doing this up a bit. Everything it's had so far has cost less than £30, and the new suspension arms coming shortly were only £50 each. 

New window regulator today as the old one had turned into confetti. £28. Fab. 

@Matty what is the mid range torque on yours like? I'm convinced this feels a bit flat from 2.5k to 5k - I thought it'd have more pull as it's so light, but then again it's been ages since I've driven an NA car. 

[Matty]

  On 02/02/2025 at 17:51, Crackers said:

I'm convinced this car wants fixing. It's so easy to work on, I'm really enjoying doing this up a bit. Everything it's had so far has cost less than £30, and the new suspension arms coming shortly were only £50 each. 

New window regulator today as the old one had turned into confetti. £28. Fab. 

@Matty what is the mid range torque on yours like? I'm convinced this feels a bit flat from 2.5k to 5k - I thought it'd have more pull as it's so light, but then again it's been ages since I've driven an NA car. 

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This is going to be hard then cos I have 3 cars and no turbos. As @twosmoke300 will tell you they ain't no ball of fire. Not a problem to me as I've always owned cars of this era. The best I can do is a healthy one should drive like old school hot hatches always did. Big fat torque curve exaggerated by low weight. Mine will pull 5th gear up a hill at just under 30. Plant your foot and it just pulls from there with no down shifts. Duratecs a shit valver mind. By 5000 rpm it's all just noise and smell. Best to give up by about 4 and a half and drive it on the torque. Glad you're enjoying it. This is my first Ford so I'm not an evangelist. The car just represents what we won't have again. Good cheap fun. That's why I love it.