Looking good mate, did you start her up

Looking good!!!

no, not yet,  found enough jobs to put it off!

Ok, its alive, well at least breathing.
Dad came around on the weekend to help bleed the brakes, but while I was hooking up the oil pressure guage, he turned the key beyond acc to start. It turned over pretty readily, so I got some fresh petrol , filled it up about 1/2 a tank, grabbed 2 extinguishers, and cranked it a few times.
 
I needed the air compressor to slightly pressure the tank and get fuel up through past the filter, and a few good doses down the carby. After more cranking it fired, backfired with flames, but generally really wanted to start.
 
In the excitement, I was nowhere ready to film it, so you'll have to wait if you wanted pics.
I heard my home made exhaust for the first time, but we had no fuel leaks, no coolant leaks and even had slightly respectible oil pressure.
 
So currently, it doesnt want to idle much, and hasn't run for long enough to consider properly up and going. The timing and fuel mixture are probably out, and there's a massive exhaust leak from somewhere, I reckon the vband clamp needs nipping up.
 
Otherwise, pretty stoked!

Nice one mate, good sign that it wants to start, no doubt with a little fettling it'll be running in no time.

Excellent news Deano. Just teething issues

thanks guys. 
I'd be happy just to take it for a spin up the driveway.

2 weeks on, and it feels like not much getting done.
 
So time for some fun stuff, out of normal build order, but who cares.
Carpet!
Well ,nearly, underlay at least, the moulded carpet is breathing back into shape. These are from Knox Carpets.

 

 
 
Like the steering wheel?
Its a motomech I had spare, too deep dish but just a temp so I can releather the RS wheel.
 
And I chucked a back door on for fun. 

 

Good period wheel though Deano.
Looking good

I think so too, keep it on there till your leather wrap is done.
Knox carpets are really good, tho not many places do them for Escort and for auto is even harder
What, no single piece back door, what about a Kingswood lift up window and drop gate style. a guy here has a mk1 van with a single rear door on side hinges , next time I see it I'll check it out properly for future innovations..