Hi everyone I'm new to the forums and getting ready to start my own project a !979 Mk2 Escort Ghia 2.0L Auto which was my first car I bought back in December 2005 and taken off the road in 2011.
I'm finally ready to start making her beautiful again i don't know much about cars so any advice is welcomed.

Hi Ray, welcome to the forums. That's a neat looking 4 door.
What are your plans?

Thanks Deano,

mostly keep it the same so same colour have the vinal roof redone with slight changes like chrome 1/4 bumpers front spoiler rebuild the engine add twin webbers or a 38 webber change it to a manual.

need to change the carby because the standard one could not supply the fuel need for the head and burnt one of the vales so the head need to be redone.

have some original Driving lights to go on it.

I actually hated the colour when i got it but now I love it because it so uncommon.

welcome to the forum, looks like you have a pretty solid base to work from.  Lots of very knowlegable people on the forum so don't hesitate to ask questions- even if you think they're silly ones. We all love to see our little fords brought back to their former glory! Len

Ray561
add twin webbers or a 38 webber change it to a manual.

A Weber 38DGAS is generally considered inferior to the stock 32/36  on a Pinto (no more power, worse drivability and worse fuel consumption), so you may want to save yourself some money and hassle. IMO you only need twin webers if you have a hot enough cam and plenty of money for buying them, tuning them, and keeping them in tune.

Looks like a great car to start with,
 
I did a double take when I first saw your pictures as I had an identical Ghia a couple of years ago only a manual. There is even a Ford sales brochure with an identical car featured in it.
 
Have you checked the inline filter isn't partially blocked on the carburetor where the fuel inlet hose attaches?
I used my Ghia as a daily for quite a while and loved it.
Providing the body is OK I would recommend spending money on shocks and any worn suspension bushes, checking the brakes over, a general service and tune the engine including a kit in the carby. Once in good running order I found mine was very reliable and served me well as a daily including starting first go on cold frosty mornings.
When funds permit a manual conversion would be great. I wouldn't recommend too many modifications to start with till you have the basics sorted and funds permit.
If you don't know much about cars get yourself a workshop manual and ask plenty of questions as you go. The Escort is a good car to learn on.
 

thanks guys, the reason the had has a burn valve is because it's not standard  it's ported polished bigger valves duble valve springs carby could not supply enough fuel it did have a very hot cam in it till it stripped a lobe standard cam now though.
i know the brakes need doing thir crap but it could be because it has been siting there.

I actually have a single side Weber manifold laying there so maybe a single 45 or 48?.

been going over the car finding the rust and what needs fixing more than i though but not the worst i have seen need to fix the drivers side front fender the heater bubble has a little rust spot in the back window and C pillar will post photos soon. 

nice Ghia Blue74.

Hi Ray, I also have a 2.0 (actually 0.0 at the moment) 4 door ghia, and have just done the 1/4 bumpers, round headlight, minilights and front spoiler, and now hitting the rust, plus learning to mig so its fun.
 
You have an advantage in having it all complete and in good cond to start with.
Nice to see another 4 door getting some love.
 
 

so i took some pics of the places that need fixing
front driver side fender 



 
rear driver side passanger door.







 

 
there is also a fair bit of surface rust on the floor of the car.

if its only surface rust a good clean up and some deoxidation will sort it. some primer and paint to seal it .  If holes appear when you clean up there are plenty of rust repair sections to put in new metal if required.