The wheels actually came up quite well.

They were crusty, very crusty, before a clean up and a light bit of filler here and there and a lick of paint. I didn't go overboard as I wasn't sure if if keep them.

Today's work before night shift was filling the holes in the cargo area. The shock crossmember will be mounted by 3 bolts. The centre was done, however the outer ones were where the floor had been punched through.

Whilst I had the diff and springs out, it made sense to do it.

Forgot how finicky welding thin steel was. Got there in the end. I'll whack some primer on and hit it woth some ouler matched paint.

Hopefull re fit the diff/springs/shocks and fuel tank tomorrow.

Only a few small updates as work/life has been busy of late.
Hopefully I can get a few hours spare later in the week and I can refit the engine.

In the mean time, underlay, carpet and seats done. Im pretty happy with how it turned out. Now working on the rear trim sections to replace the original masonite/card trims.

Here's how the seats came up. Not too bad from what I started with.





Also found a suitable old esky for the cargo area to use as a tool box. Matches the patina and age of the wagon quite nicely.


Hopefully a few more pics later in the week.
Shaun.

if that Esky could talk hey. Pretty cool find.
Just need a terry towelling bucket hat, and a sun umbrella to with it.

Been a bit quiet lately however have still been doing a few little fiddly time consuming things. Not really photo worthy and then forget to take pics of others. Little things like battery connections, misc wiring clean up etc.

Re-adjusted the suspension heights (again) and got it to a point where it's at a roadworthy height whilst still looking reasonable. I'll roll the guards when I get around to the body work.

Also managed to finally an elusive 1600 deluxe badge that would have been there originally. At least it's 2 less holes to fill!

Shaun

That's great the flywheel sorted out and it runs nice, hard to say how it'll drive yet but you can tune it I expect.

Exhaust, are you going full stainless and buying the straights an bends then Tig it all together. 👍

Woohoo.

Exhaust done.

Ended up with a 2 inch mandrel bent system. Has 2 mufflers, a triflow before the diff and a straight through at the rear.

It's quiet, probably the quietest small ford I've ever owned.

I must be getting old!

I'll put up some pics when in pull it out to give it a lick of paint. Not the prettiest of welds, (I really need a tig) however it seems to work.

Next step, bleed brakes, check everything over, fix fuel pump and test drive.....

Shaun

Thanks Marty,

Yep, I'm super happy. I gave myself 12 months to get the mechanicals done. I'm 10 months in, so on track, then get onto the body work, hopefully done in another 6 months as
I've booked accommodation for the cortina nationals in Bathurst in 2025.

Here's the exhaust, a few questionable welds where I'd blown through and had to go over them, however no one is ever going to see them once under the car so I'm not too worried.

Could've gone for a straighter run, however I wanted it tucked up as high as I could get it.


Shaun.