MK 2 Ford Escort project

[Johnoxo]

Busy with this at the moment

I was asked to help my mate to build it, someone else was doing the bodywrk repairs and paintwork, but as it was taking him months to do I was asked to finish it off

Most of the work had been done, but I have had to give the whole car the once over and finish off the filling and priming, had to weld the wings back on, finish welding the lower back panel, then fill and shape the back panel, which has been a chore as someone before me had made a mess of it

 

[Johnoxo]

Whilst busy with the front end and wing runners I noticed the strut tops had been smoothed out with filler, lots of filler, so out came the grinder to see what it was hiding, discovered it needed a plate on the near side strut top
So I have cut and shaped one and sunk it into the hole left after I cut out the rot
Not my best welding but a grinder is a wonderful tool

Can you see the join

 

[Johnoxo]

Whilst I was on I thought I would fit some reinforcing plates, similar to RS ones, but they came in at £20+ each plus postage
I dont think so
Bought a sheet of 20 gauge then made a cardboard template, then cut to shape bent and bashed, then drilled the holes

Still have them to weld up and finish shaping them, then they will be plug welded to the tops
Anyone any easier way to shape the the curve, I have cut thin V's and then bent, I intend welding the joins and then grinding and shaping as best I can with what I have available. unfortunately I dont have any dollies or planishers, but I do have a vice and various shape hammers

 

[johniban]

that strengthening plate is a great idea, but i would fully seem weld all the way around it so water cant get trapped between the two skins?

 

[stormin]

that strengthening plate is a great idea, but i would fully seem weld all the way around it so water cant get trapped between the two skins?

Even if he seam welds around the outer perimeter of the plate, water can still get between the two layers at the holes towards the middle!

 

[stuvy]

Even if he seam welds around the outer perimeter of the plate, water can still get between the two layers at the holes towards the middle!

yepp water will get in everywhere! you can only do so much

whats the final spec of the escort mate?

 

[Johnoxo]

yepp water will get in everywhere! you can only do so much

whats the final spec of the escort mate?

Yeah that was a concern of mine as the Escrot has loads of water traps, these being one of them
As standard they were just spot welded on, 8 spots on the top and a few on the inner wing, I wont be seam welding the plate as he wants it to look standard, sort of.
I had toyed with the idea of bonding it on and then spot welds but I will have a think

The spec is simple
Diamond White
Not sure which stripes to use (RS1800, RS2000 or Mexico) if any
No decals not looking to do a replica
2.0 litre OHC & 5 speed from a Capri
Capri drums, standard discs
Possibly uprate the suspension, possibly.
Fitted tramp bars to axle already
Theres an RS interior waiting to be installed
RS alloys with proper size tires, not titchy ones stretched onto the wheel

Just looking for simple and clean, my mate isnt going to hoon around, just use it occasionally and take it to some shows

 

[stuvy]

sounds like a nice usable spec, i hate stretched tyres too. Im not a fan of the modern modifying scenes. Stickers dont make you faster

 

[Johnoxo]

Bit of an update

I stuck the reinforcing plates on with a layer of seam sealer to try and keep the water out, then drilled and plugged the plates then a touch with the grinder, sorted
A few coats of hi build primer, a touch of putty and much rubbing down, et voila ready for paint

Gave it a coat of paint tonight

 

[Johnoxo]

Had to level out the front spoiler as it was high on the nearside, some muppet has put the front panel on, shall we say not square to be polite

 

[Johnoxo]

Also prepped the doors and boot lid, I will be giving them a rub down and a coat of white at the weekend
Still got to tackle the bonnet yet

 

[Johnoxo]

What with lack of booth availability and Xmas we finally got round to painting the car last week

We'll do the black bits next and get the underneath undersealed and wax-oiled

 

[stuvy]

coming together nicely mate,

im trying not too look on ebay as i type this!!

 

[Exuptoy]

Loving it dude.

 

[normspanners]

WHAT A WASTE OF A LOVELY CAR!!!
escort were made to hoon round in !!
it should have a proper engine in it (BDX)
a ZF box and proper gravel rash underneath then its a REAL escort !!!
LOOKS GOOD BTW

 

[Johnoxo]

Coming together slowly at the moment
Undersealed from front to back and then coated with waxoyl, twice in some places, nuisance stuff, you daren't touch owt without get covered in it

Stripped, cleaned and rebuilt the rear suspension again, new shocks fitted
Stripped and cleaned the front suspension, fitted Capri struts with lowered springs, new track rod ends, new polybushes all round
All painted black with the old faithful....Hammerite
New brake lines & steel flexi pipes, Old servo, pedal box, calipers rebuilt with new seal kit, new discs, pads and shoes, all ready to bleed out tomorrow
New handbrake cable fitted
Painted the black areas round the door tops, rear quarter glass and the front grille area (again), just got the rear panel to do

Next up
Petrol tank and fuel lines
wiring harness, still need to rig up a spotlight harness and sort out the rear end
some engine bits and pieces to fit
then i'll start on the doors and interior

Ever onward