1987 Ford Sierra Sapphire 1.8L - Absolutely fascinating* discovery - see page 48

[cort1977]

Wow, AC was pretty rare I think. My friends burgundy Ghia had that stereo- most impressive to 14 year old me.

[MJK 24]

It was quite nostalgic.  I worked out last night I’d not driven a Sierra since 1997!  

Both cars are to be sold with no reserve at Hampsons Auction on Sunday.  The car I’ve taken the photos in is warranted 20,000 miles from new.  The other has done over 100,000.  Be interesting to see what sort of money they bring.

[Scruffy Bodger]

On 07/05/2024 at 20:48, grogee said:

Cornflakes packet + small ball peen hammer = new gasket

FTFY

[grogee]

1 hour ago, MJK 24 said:

I moved two fancy pants Sierra Ghia, yesterday.  

I’m addition to having AC, one had the fanciest Ford radio that I’d only ever seen before in brochures.  Never in real life!  
 

 

PHWOAR 

Does the AC work? 

(I don't know why this is important to me) 

[MJK 24]

2 hours ago, grogee said:

PHWOAR 

Does the AC work? 

(I don't know why this is important to me) 

I only realised it had AC this morning when looking at my photos from yesterday!

I was all consumed by the radio!!

[Peter C]

Thermostat housing gasket arrived today. It’s significantly thicker than the one that came with the replacement thermostat (which caused the leak).

The coolant reservoir cleaned up ok.

All reassembled, nice and easy. I smeared a bit of sealer on both sides of the gasket, hopefully problem solved.

I filled the system with fresh antifreeze and fired up the Pinto. All looks good for now.

[MJK 24]

Header tank came up well!

[Peter C]

On 10/05/2024 at 21:45, N19 said:

Maybe could invest in one of those one-man bleeders?

I had no idea how cheap these things are - £13.54.

Ordered one today, will be here tomorrow.

Good shout, thank you.

[adw1977]

On 11/05/2024 at 08:38, MJK 24 said:

I moved two fancy pants Sierra Ghia, yesterday.  

I’m addition to having AC, one had the fanciest Ford radio that I’d only ever seen before in brochures.  Never in real life!  

That will be the model 2008 stereo with 7 band graphic equaliser and 8 speakers!

About £400 extra for that and £800 extra for the air con when new.

[beko1987]

1 hour ago, Peter C said:

I had no idea how cheap these things are - £13.54.

Ordered one today, will be here tomorrow.

Good shout, thank you.

I've found this before. It's why I'm never averse to buying a tool for a job, as long as its a cheap tool that will do said job and hopefully a few more! 

My £13.50 caliper rewind kit has lasted for years now, had some fair use too. Same with the 'fancy' e-torx kit

[sierraman]

On 11/05/2024 at 08:38, MJK 24 said:

I moved two fancy pants Sierra Ghia, yesterday.  

I’m addition to having AC, one had the fanciest Ford radio that I’d only ever seen before in brochures.  Never in real life!  
 

 

Jesus I remember those graphic equalisers. Ghia and above IIRC. That was the 80’s, it wasn’t there for any perfunctory purpose but to show people ‘I’ve a graphic equaliser m8’. A sign of success if you like! Another option was a boot mounted fax machine! For when you had bollocks you needed a wheelbarrow for… 

[tooSavvy]

My boss (MOD contract @SwanHunters) had a R25 Auto but chopped it for a V6 800 Auto, company hire.... Ahh 😯 BUT .... He also had, in his bulging briefcase, a Fax/Scanner that you could zip down an A4 document... On The Sly, eh😉... and print a copy.

Proppa James Bond matey 😎

🚙💨

[R Lutz]

4 minutes ago, tooSavvy said:

My boss (MOD contract @SwanHunters) had a R25 Auto but chopped it for a V6 800 Auto, company hire.... Ahh 😯 BUT .... He also had, in his bulging briefcase, a Fax/Scanner that you could zip down an A4 document... On The Sly, eh😉... and print a copy.

Proppa James Bond matey 😎

🚙💨

My gaffa supplied the 800s to Vickers MOD on the Scotswood Road. It didn't end well. 

[stuboy]

4 hours ago, tooSavvy said:

He also had, in his bulging briefcase, a Fax/Scanner that you could zip down an A4 document... On The Sly, eh😉... and print a copy.

Proppa James Bond matey 😎

my mate worked in germany and his briefcase turned into a gun...apparantly

[Peter C]

The bleeding kit arrived today.

Looks a bit like the penis pump that my wife bought me for Christmas.

[beko1987]

Should have just used that and saved yourself a tenner! Just wash it out afterwards... 

[tooSavvy]

8 minutes ago, beko1987 said:

Should have just used that and saved yourself a tenner! Just wash it out afterwards... 

Hmm... Is brake fluid a good 'lubricant' 🤔

🚙💨

[Peter C]

5 minutes ago, tooSavvy said:

Hmm... Is brake fluid a good 'lubricant' 🤔

🚙💨

 

Computer said yes.

 

[Peter C]

No joy with the vacuum pump.

 

[MJK 24]

Well you definitely didn’t overpay, that’s now been established…..

 

[Peter C]

56 minutes ago, MJK 24 said:

Well you definitely didn’t overpay, that’s now been established…..

 

I like the verified mileage but not the two tone paint scheme.

 

[adw1977]

The two tone paint was standard on the LX.  I'm sure that back in 1987 the LX owner would have been very happy to show their superiority over your single tone L!

[Peter C]

Wife helped out, job done, the brake pedal is now firmer than a ladyboy’s breasts.

[High Jetter]

Expert comparison noted 🤣.

[Peter C]

After yesterday’s brake bleeding session, I got the wheels back on and took the Sierra for a test drive. All good, brakes feel great and I can’t see any coolant leaks.

I was about to tuck the Sierra back into the garage when my neighbour parked up for a chat.

Let’s see how long the current fault free status lasts.

[High Jetter]

Not sure which looks best, tbh

[Peter C]

Weather permitting, I'm heading to the spring Beaulieu autojumble tomorrow.

I would like to find a replacement rear tail light.

There is a number on the outside part of the lens - 86001, but this is meaningless. 

@egg has kindly advised me on what the correct part number is, however Ford decided not to present the number on the lens.

I removed the tail light to reveal lovely fresh metal.

Fuck it, I'm taking this thing with me to the autojumble.

I've noted the part number of the rear door ashtray.

The other bits that I need are:

• Ford badges for the front grille and boot lid
• Blind spot mirror
• Wheel brace (19mm)
• Pair of number plates
• Alternator
• Air cleaner housing top cover
• Original manually operated aerial - good luck with that!

And any other bargain that I might find.

Wish me luck.

 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

On 14/05/2024 at 06:51, MJK 24 said:

Well you definitely didn’t overpay, that’s now been established…..

 

Pity one of the 2owners took the 14” wheels off , those, the Rev counter and the 2 tone with a red strip were all that made an L into an LX

[Peter C]

14 minutes ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

Pity one of the 2owners took the 14” wheels off , those, the Rev counter and the 2 tone with a red strip were all that made an L into an LX

That vintage and spec Sierra had 13 inch wheels.

[N19]

Do you need these bits because you need them, or strategically acquiring parts?

alternators should still be available through a good motor factor and old ones repairable by someone who knows how to do it properly

if you need an air filter top there's a couple of Capri breakers who probably have some kicking around.

I know I said I'd ask at the factors about the rear lamps, will try and remember tomorrow (they have all sorts on the top shelves, Nova radiators, Escort headlamps...)