Yeah swift work on the tank, noice !
Club reg is best

deano
good progress Shaun. 
Maybe having an 8 year old son is the key to getting stuff done, another set of hands.
So are you planning on putting it on club rego soon then?
I got the Capri rego last week, $750 bucks....:( 

Not too sure on key to getting stuff done, however, anytime my son shows an interest I'm more than happy to encourage it. My 10yr daughter is a much better go-kart driver, however, she has no interest whatsoever in working on cars. In her words 'I don't understand why you like old cars, they're boring. I just like driving....'
 
The wagon will definitely be on club reg.'
 
Just paid for my MK1 escort. OUCH!!!! Its on full reg, and haven't driven it in 8 yrs!!!  Unfortunately, it's far too modified to ever get a RWC so I've missed the club reg opportunity, and cant afford for it to lapse.
 
Carby number 3 arrived today....   Hopefully this one will be good.  Fingers crossed for a start tomorrow/sat night.
 
In the mean time I've been tackling the rear suspension....
 
Mk2 wagon stuff has not been available for decades. What is there is a little 'agricultural' at best.
 
I will be adapting early MK1 escort 45 degree shocks.
 
Details to follow.
 
Shaun
 
 
 

Got home from work this morning and got a bit done before bed.. The rear shocks had been very crudely mounted. Functional, yet not quite up to scratch.

There is also the matter of several holes n the rear cargo area floor. Some from the original suspension mounting points, some unknown, and some from what looks like where the shocks may have punched through? All still to be fixed.

In the interests of a rwc, and importantly, not having fumes etc enter the rear area, I'll patch them up.

I've decided to do away from the current shock mounts and instead adapt an early 45 degree escort shock mount which will be functional and look much more factory I had it and some air shocks from a panel van.

It needed a little extending to match in with the ribbed floor pattern, so I strengthened it at the same time. I will do away with the ford rubber mounts and instead opt for 3 button head M10s direct through the floor. One at either end one in the centre. I've done similar before and road noise wasn't too bad. Given there's no sound deadening in the wagon anyway, I don't think you'd notice!

The air shcoks cleaned up and tested ok, and will suit nicely as I intend to use the wagon loaded as a family cruiser and or parts hauler. I'm also planning on running it pretty low.

Shaun


Holes in floor





Modified early escort crossmember

Been finishing off the rear suspension whilst I ontinue to track down some more bits and pieces.

An elusive 7/8" clutch slave is still yet to be found...

Fitted up the modified escort crossmeber, escort shocks, escort rear diff saddles and some 2" lowering blocks. Unfortunately it was no where near low enough.

So, again, I've employed some old school techniques.

With the spare escort springs and hangers, I've flipped the top leaf to bring everything down to a height that I want. Yes, it's not perfect, however it should work. (Unleast until/if I replace with something better.



Fitted up its about 4 - 5 inches lower than it was.

Pics to follow.

Shaun.

So the leaves are working against each other?

Yes. The top leaf, with the spring eyes, is pulled in and clamped against its natural curve. As mentioned, i's definitely not ideal, however flipping a leaf has been done many times before.

It can also be done (the top spring) by working along it gradually in a press to slowly flattend and eventually recurve the arch other way, effectively flipping/reversing the spring eyes. This used to be don'e to early leaf suspension in hotrod.

The leaves that were in it were set up for towing and were not original. They were higher than standard and definitely stiffer having an extra 2 leaves.

The plan will be to eventually get some custom springs made up once I've settled on a ride height etc. First I'm going with backyard budget option just to get the thing running.

Shaun

Rear end 90% done.

May have to add/change a leaf to get it through refo as it is pretty low. At worst I can reinstate original springs that came with it.

Currently on 13x7 rims with 205/60 tyres.

I have a few sets of rims to try first, these most likely won't be staying. Either 13x6 steels or 13x7 minilites.

I'm now waiting on the coilover springs to arrive from the UK to do the front.

Shaun.

That looks awesome, love the ride height! I'm proper jealous, this will be such a fun run around.

Picked up my new 13x7 minilites yesterday.

Pretty sure they're going to suit 👌

I'll stick a 175/50 on one and a 185/60 tyre on another and see which looks best.

Can't wait to see how they look fitted up with tyres on.

Shaun.

So some success today, yet more headaches.

I'd been waiting for the capri inserts I ordered to turn up before working again on the front struts. It has been a while, so contacted the company I bought them from to be told the no longer have stock and won't be getting any in.... pretty frustrating that I had to initiate the proceedings and then get money back putting me behind ....


Anyway....

I decided to crack on with the spare struts to convert to coilovers and use thenold inserts.

They came up well, cleaned and painted everything, re packed bearings and fitted some new discs. I haven't yet completely drilled out the top of the coilover 'top' as I wasn't 100% on the diameter of the capri inset. So it should sit 10mm lower than it is.

That said, ITS NOT LOW ENOUGH!!!! Despite many assurances, I'm guessing my version of low differs from others. I have 10.5" 190lbs springs wound down as much as I can get them.

Looks like I need at least 8" or even shorter and I can then have the ability to wind them up the threaded tube.

At least they look good so far. Now to order new springs. I hate having to buy things twice.

Shaun