Alright, so after the birth of our first child, time to get this Escort back up the priority list!

I have finished the basic wiring in the cabin. I have all the required wires to where I want for the stereo, which I will hide in the glovebox I think. Also got them ready for the new VDO gauges that will go where the stereo would have gone from factory. Unsure if I will do electronic ignition before or after rego though.

I've got some flexible plastic primer and some urethane type satin black spray with which to redo the cracked black gloss paint on the RS nosecone. I've pulled the indicators and headlight surrounds off, got Ford badge off that had been bolted on (Josh that was a nightmare to get off!!! Massive overkill for a badge!!), and ready to start sanding.

I've pulled the front left hand front door trim off and disassembled the window winder that doesn't work. Josh you were right, it's the bit of metal with the slide cut into it that actually holds the glass that has rusted right out.

I bought an disassembled single spinner 3.5 ratio diff for the car too, the welded diff is too scary and a pain for moving the car around without leaving giant black marks everywhere. It'll do until I either break it or can afford an LSD. In the couple Escort builds I have done, I have never assembled a diff so will learn something new, which is what my Escorts are all about.

I replaced all the globes in the car and cleaned up some earths so all the lights are working now, except some parts of the headlights. Going to ditch them for a halogen kit though. I can't stand sealed beams. I also got some new number plate lights from someone on this forum - champion. They are great.

Jobs left until rego:
- New exhaust that actually makes it to the back of the car
- Replace the headlights with halogens
- Fix the passenger front winder
- Get new gauges and mount them
- Respray the blacks
- Re-assemble the heater box now that the core has been repaired and the resistor pack is made, and install it

Other jobs:
- Get the old window tint removed / replaced
- Install the electronic ignition kit
- Give the car the Meguiars treatment head to toe

I still need to buy:
- VDO gauges
- Halogen replacement light kit - sealed beams are hopeless. Does anyone know the kit I need for this? I did buy one for a previous Escort but sold it!
- Window winder part for LH front window

More determined than ever to have this on the road sooner rather than later, unhappy it hasn't happened by now!!

Progress makes me happy Congratulations on the new born mate, that's awesome news!

I've got a gig somewhere in Newcastle next Friday, if I have time I would like to try and organise to see the car or something if you're around!

quote:

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Originally posted by Juiceman

Progress makes me happy Congratulations on the new born mate, that's awesome news!

I've got a gig somewhere in Newcastle next Friday, if I have time I would like to try and organise to see the car or something if you're around!

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Thanks mate. It's our first kid and a real shock to the system, but good fun. Not letting it stand in the way of the Escort any longer though!

Of course you're welcome to drop in to check out the car anytime you like. I usually finish work early on Fridays so send me a message when you have a time and we'll work something out.

The nosejob underway:





New diff to assemble:



A big thanks to Jaycees who is helping me out with the window winder part too! Hopefully I can install it without breaking anything.

quote:

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Originally posted by Timmeh

Made up some resistor packs to replace the old rusty broken ones in the heater boxes, they slide into the same cavity and plug into the same connectors.

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more info please!
what resistors are they?
where did you get that board from?
cheers

Good questions. The stuff is at home at the moment. For the board, I just bought a normal kit board from richard Smith and cut it down to size, then put three resistors in parallel because one resistor became like lava almost immediately with the fan current. Three spreads the load a bit more!

The little unit should simply slide into the existing heater assembly and plug into existing plugs. I'm about to reassemble my heater box and install it in the next few days.

I made a spare one so provided I don't destroy my first one installing it, I can send one your way if you like?

quote:

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Originally posted by Timmeh

Good questions. The stuff is at home at the moment. For the board, I just bought a normal kit board from richard Smith and cut it down to size, then put three resistors in parallel because one resistor became like lava almost immediately with the fan current. Three spreads the load a bit more!

The little unit should simply slide into the existing heater assembly and plug into existing plugs. I'm about to reassemble my heater box and install it in the next few days.

I made a spare one so provided I don't destroy my first one installing it, I can send one your way if you like?

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that would be awesome.
the only problem i have now is that i have a steel cased heater box, which i dont think has a slot for the resistors.
might be able to glue/silicone the board to the case though.
thanks mate.

I might be able to make up something a little more suitable for you. Do you have any photos of your box before it went in for mounting ideas?

Last night I tried putting on a Urethane product that was supposed to be brilliant for that semigloss black bumper look, and it was rubbish. Despite a heated garage and being shaken for 15 minutes, the nozzle would clog often and the finish would appear very uneven despite careful application. I had much better results on previous RS nosecones with alternate products, guess it's time to rub it back down and start again using what I know works. Curses!

I also found a Narva halogen replacement headlight kit but I didn't like the look of the glass lens, the top half of the glass diffuser was completely different to the bottom half and looked like a combi van with the eyes-half-closed appearance. Might try to track down a Hella kit perhaps.

Any recommendations here?

quote:

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Originally posted by Timmeh

I might be able to make up something a little more suitable for you. Do you have any photos of your box before it went in for mounting ideas?

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nah, i dont have any photos.
i think it might be from a MK1.
might just have to enclose the resistors in a small box.

Just a quick update:

Finally got the blacks done on the nose, although I still have to do the headlight surrounds.

Also got all the new lights in other than the halogen kit which I am still chasing down.



Hopefully picking up the window winder part this weekend and will have the heater assembly done this week too.