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Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky

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2014/03/20 17:12:12 (permalink)
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Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky

I've always loved the Escort and thought it was about time I invested in one for a track car, saw this one on ebay for pretty cheap and snatched it up. It has the 2L pinto which the seller described as "It runs, but blows smoke. Has been sitting their a while, could do with a good service." 
I'll be picking her up this weekend so the real work will begin next week, with any luck i'll be able to get the motor running and be able to use it in a couple of track days. Here's some pictures from the add:
 

 
I'm warming to the colour!
 

 

 
Engine needs some attention
 

 
and a couple of rusty bits
 

 
So the short term plan is to strip her out and see how bad the rust and mechanical issues are and get her on the track asap. The long term plan is to put an SR20DET in her, if only i had the money for a YB! 
 
I'll update next week with more pictures...
 
Rich
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14 Replies Related Threads

    troppo
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/21 17:08:03 (permalink)
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    Apart from the factory fitted rust she looks nice and clean. A great base for your track car.
    #2
    Matt75
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/22 07:59:43 (permalink)
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    Go the 4 door!
     
    Keep the pics coming
     
    Matt

     
    My 4 door MK II Resto
    http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=37623

    RS Owners Club Victoria Committee Member - http://rsocvic.com/
     
     
    #3

    Gadget
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/23 21:41:24 (permalink)
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    *Update*
    Went to pick up the car today and i immediately realised how compact it is, looking forward to swinging it in between some trees! 
     
    Before we picked it up i was working on my mates custom 4x4 project that needs to be ready for a competition in Sydney next weekend, here's a pic:
     
    Bit of a monster.

     
    Anyway the escort didn't start due to a flat battery which was a pain but it gave me time to have a look at any 'factory fitted' rust there was. To my surprise the body looked in good condition for a 35 year old! I'll be able to have a proper look tomorrow but i only spotted a small amount in the firewall and some in the rear arches. So we chucked it up on the ramp, you can see how tight the wheel base in on the trailer:
    Tight!
     
     
    It was only a 30 minute drive home so all was ok. So tomorrow i'll strip it all out and see what's underneath, i'll take some more detailed pictures tomorrow.
     
    Rich  
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/24 20:15:01 (permalink)
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    *Update*
     
    I spent this afternoon stripping down the escort and searching for the brown stuff and i am very impressed with the condition of the bodywork. I am thankful to say i didn't find any extra rusty patches, so the biggest areas are both rear arches, the exterior side panel/air vents and the firewall.
    Rusty pictures:
     
    Booty:

     
    Right rear wheel arch:

     
    Left rear wheel arch:

     
    Left wheel arch again, the worst affected place:

     
    Side air vent:

     
    Picture of everything out of the car:

     
    The bucket type seats are going if anyone wants them? they come with rails, also the back seats can go as well so if anyone is interested then PM me.
     
    Couple of interior snaps after the strip:
     
    The door cards have been removed as well.. 

     
    Don't worry it's not rust it's carpet fur

     

     
    So next i'm going to patch up the rusty bits and look at painting the interior shell, not too sure on what colour yet though. I will also be looking at a colour change for the exterior, i'm currently thinking a dark silver but i'm not 100%. Might look at a matt paint.. 
     
    What do people think about these wheels, they're a bit retro and i like that but i dont think i'll be able to get away with spraying them another colour.. perhaps black! 

     
    Opinions welcome, 
     
    Rich
     
     
     
    post edited by RichEscort - 2014/03/24 20:22:37
    #5
    krt10
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/25 18:30:50 (permalink)
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    looks good mate,  
     
    those seat mounts though, not so good.  
     
    another spot for rust is around the heater bubble area. check its not rusted along the water channel or it can leak into the cabin
     
    cheers
    #6

    Gadget
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/26 08:51:22 (permalink)
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    krt10
    looks good mate,  
     
    those seat mounts though, not so good.  
     
    another spot for rust is around the heater bubble area. check its not rusted along the water channel or it can leak into the cabin
     
    cheers




    Hi mate that's not rust its just where i haven't cleaned out all the underlay... although it does look suspicious.. yeah that the next place i need to fully investigate, hopefully get round to doing that today.
    #7
    krt10
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/26 11:03:27 (permalink)
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    I mean the seat mounts look a bit dodgy in the pic. looks like the previous owner has cut the original ones out and made his own.  id be checking the integrity of them. 
    at the end of the day if they are no good you can always get replacement bars like this http://grp4fabrications.com/product_info.php?products_id=221
     
    cheers 
    #8
    79Escort
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/26 18:09:02 (permalink)
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    Good luck getting that rust sorted!
     
    Not sure about black unless you paint the openings a different colour. I painted my hotwires black and the design was just lost, looked like a black blob inside a tyre. You could always try it though and if you dont like it change it?
     
    Cheers
    Ryan
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/26 18:54:12 (permalink)
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    krt10
    I mean the seat mounts look a bit dodgy in the pic. looks like the previous owner has cut the original ones out and made his own.  id be checking the integrity of them. 
    at the end of the day if they are no good you can always get replacement bars like this http://grp4fabrications.com/product_info.php?products_id=221
     
    cheers 




    Ah, yes mate they aren't great, just tacked in place! Can see them snapping whilst hitting a corner so they're defo on the list!
     
    79Escort
    Good luck getting that rust sorted!
     
    Not sure about black unless you paint the openings a different colour. I painted my hotwires black and the design was just lost, looked like a black blob inside a tyre. You could always try it though and if you dont like it change it?
     
    Cheers
    Ryan




    Yeah i reckon you're right there pal, perhaps a good polishing is all they need?! we'll see, new alloys are near the bottom of the list at the moment... 
    #10
    troppo
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/26 22:55:24 (permalink)
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    She`s might bloody clean for her age, a body with as little rust as that one is a rare find indeed
    #11
    79Escort
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/03/27 14:26:25 (permalink)
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    Yeah i reckon you're right there pal, perhaps a good polishing is all they need?! we'll see, new alloys are near the bottom of the list at the moment... 




    Yea and if you polish them first its much easier to get the paint off if you are trialing colours. You could wet-sand the paint off with some ultra-fine then polish the rim again or you could just use paint stripper which is messy but probably the easiest option
     
    Ryan
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/04/22 17:58:38 (permalink)
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    *Quick Update*
     
    Been stripping down the Escort over the last few days and have got a couple of items for sale here
     
    Also managed to get the car running, not too much smoke, sounds a bit throaty and the timing is a little out so will give it a good service over the weekend and she how she is after that. Bit of a change of plan, was originally going to go straight to SR20 or CA18 but decided to fix up the pinto and try and get a couple of tracks days in ASAP. 
     
    On a side note can anyone recommend a good site to get service parts in australia?! I'm heading down to the scrapyard tomorrow to see what i can find, looking for a front caliper and disc upgrade, volvo perhaps??
     
    Pictures will be put up soon of the naked interior!
     
    #13
    jpayne
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/04/24 19:23:50 (permalink)
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    should be lots of fun
     
    Have a look here for Volvo conversion ready for track work
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/291129953017?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
     
    JP
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    Matt75
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    Re: Mk2 Escort 4 dr Tracky 2014/04/25 16:32:54 (permalink)
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    I think that if you bled the system with decent fluid and put in decent pads you'd be surprised how well the brakes work.  You could also look at spacing the calipers you have and fitting vented rotors.  Failing that then the volvo conversion is pretty cheap and you'd be done and dusted for less than $400 -$450.
     
    Cheers
     
    Matt
     
     

     
    My 4 door MK II Resto
    http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=37623

    RS Owners Club Victoria Committee Member - http://rsocvic.com/
     
     
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