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Grimmy's '71 mk3 Cortina Zetec


grimlok

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Hey all.

Been lurking a while.

 

Project Build Thread://oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40195-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/

Discussion thread: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/

 

It's getting warmer. So I'm dragging my ass into the workshop more often to work on my project.

 

Anyway.  Wanted a mk3 Cortina since I was about 6 years old.  Fast forward almost 30 years and I'm finally at a point in life where I can dedicate a bit of time and money to sorting one.

 

Picked up a couple of go bangers in the last 12 months...

Don't have any before pics of the shell. But here's a photo of the spare rolling body I picked up last summer.

256358365.jpg

 

Spent most of the winter pretending I was working on the shell, but really didn't do a lot other than sit in it and make car noises.

 

I have no idea how to resize photos, So sorry in advance if they are huge. But I will sort it as time goes on.

First things first.

had my heart set on a 2.3 v6 from a mk5 ghia.  Even got the v6 cologne motor with the blue rolling body.  But found out pretty quickly that tracking down any gearbox (T9 or even a slush box) with the v6 bell pattern is easier said than done.

So 2.0 Zetec from a mk2 mondy is the donkey of choice now.

 

First thing that has to happen is the poo 1600 HC kent has to come out.

100_0707.jpg

 

Fired the 1600 with some gas down the carb, gapped the points and plugs, Realised the fuel pump was foobar. But other than that she fired and sounded strong. Clean oil etc. Well impressed considering according to the last owner it hadn't been started in close to 20 years. Seemed weird to get it firing etc just to pull it out and not use it. But I'm prolly gonna have to flick it off to cover costs somewhere else anyway. And knowing it's a goodin should make getting rid of it easier.

 

DSC_0060.jpg

 

Buh bye 1600.  Hello Rats nest.

 

Other than the Rats moving into the heaterbox and vent system, she's pretty tidy and original under the hood. 400 tons of body sealer and a below average paint job at some point have sealed and saved the metal underneath.

 

Managed to pick up a few little goodies...

 

100_0712.jpg

GT dash. (Rarer than rocking horse shit. It's still the only GT mk3 Cortina dash I've ever seen in the flesh)

 

And GT/GXL quad headlights

 

GXLGrill.jpg

 

Shut my eyes and pulled the LHS guard off

DSC_0061.jpg

 

It's actually not too bad.  Chunk of cancer in the top of the inner wing. Little bit starting by the light bracket.  And the easy winner for weld of the week around the Front sway anchor (I'll have to get a photo of it with my camera. It's not even half assed, more quarter assed. That's as far as I've gotten this week. But I'll be into it pretty hard over the coming months.  My boss is a GC, and an old skool ford fan. So he's very generously allowed me a) free storage. B) free workshop. c) time when work ain't busy to work on my car (So I'm getting paid to work on my car when it's quiet)

 

Got some '88 Honda Poolude buckets and a C3 auto (Yes. A slush box. Cus I like to drink big serve V while I'm driving. and I can't do that if I'm grabbing gears)

 

Grabbed a 2.0 Zetec auto/loom/ecu/etc from a first Reg in 97 Mondeo at the local Ford wreckers for a good price. (Cheers to Harley at Walsh Autos)

 

Going to try to get the zetec going on the factory ECU.  Failing that I'm looking high and low for a manual mk1 Mondeo ECU.  Which apparently ain't too common either.  But if all else fails. I'll bang a carb on it and an ESC module from a CVH escort until I can get an aftermarket ecu.

 

Ordered Nolathanes.  Which was about as fun as dental work price wise. (Hence not getting an ECU)

 

I'm really only ripping panels off to see how much work I've got myself in for.  I plan on doing the engine swap before doing the panel work.  But I'm excited and wanted to start a thread cus I've wanted a mk3 for soooOOOOOOoooooOOOOOooooo long.

 

Comments questions and abuse most welcome. :-)

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Tuesdays over summer have been dedicated "Cortina Tuesday" at work.  And as such I've actually started doing some real work.  With tools other than a socket set.

 

Discovered this when I picked up the body but I forgot to mention it.

DSC_0079.jpg

 

Coil overs? apparently.

 

Also got the RHS guard off.  Cancer in the top of the inner wing up by the A-pillar.  This is where mk3-mk5 Go bangers tend to rust anyway, and I was fully expecting it.

 

DSC_0077.jpg

 

You can also see the Battery tray still attached... Enter the technically advanced spot weld removal tool (Drill, Cold Chisel and BFH)...

 

DSC_0080.jpg

 

And BAM... The battery tray is gone.

Made a little bit of Swiss Cheese outta the spot welds. But nothing I can't fix.

 

Got to try out the new B&D Matrix modular drill I got for fathers day though.

 

Also bashed off all the loom tags in the bay.  I'll be stuffing the loom inside the guards, and the battery will be going in the boot.  Going to attempt to clean the bay up as much as possible and leave just the donkey there.  Altho I'm already rethinking my plan for a wiring loom as there isn't anywhere near as much room behind the glovebox as I first thought.

 

Ripped out everything else in the engine bay, Master Cylinder, Choke/clutch/speedo/throttle cables.

Then spent some time on the inside.

 

DSC_0078.jpg

 

Check out the retro brown vinyl interior.

 

Here's a tip for new players... Don't rip your front seat out till you've got the dash out.  It gives you something to sit on while you do it.

I wasn't that smart. And now my back is bitching about it.

 

Rest in Scrap battery tray.

 

DSC_0081.jpg

 

The boss is picking up the 2.0L Zetec donkey tomorrow.

Should have photos of it in the bay by the end of the week.

 

Decided to forget the factory ECU. Too much dicking round for little to no reward.

Looking at getting a MegaSquirt in kitset form and assembling myself.

I'm actually more comfortable doing the wiring and ECU building than I am doing panel work. So can't see any major dramas with it.

 

I think I've done enough for a Mellow Puff.

Thanks for looking :)

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Picked up the Mondy Motor with everything intact.

 

MASSIVE thanks to Harley at Walsh Autos.  Made sure I had all the sensors, ECU, The entire loom, and swapped around some of the smaller parts I needed swapped around for little more than the price of a long block. Even let me work to island time come pick up. GC.

 

DSC_0087.jpg

 

DSC_0083.jpg

 

Started tearing it down. Did some rough measuring.

This is a fairly tried and true conversion into RWD escorts, early Cortinas, Anglias and Populars in the UK.  But I've never seen a build log of one into a later Cortina subframe. Was hoping I could get away without cutting and shutting the sump. But that isn't the case.

 

Hit a stop when it came to the tx50 bolts on the "front" engine cradle.  The workshop has most tools. But the newer Torx style bits are something we don't have.

This is one of those moments I'm going to take advantage of works trade account and pick a set up before the weekend.

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Mated the Zetec up to the c3 Cortina slush box.

 

DSC_0091.jpg

 

5/6 bolts line up on the block.

 

"Is it in yet"

That's what she said.

 

DSC_0094.jpg

 

DSC_0095.jpg

 

Not sure of the clearance of the inlet mani from the steering shaft. eyeometer tells me it wont fit.

Only other mk3 zetec conversion I've ever seen and the only photo I've ever seen of it looks like the factory mani. will try with them on before I put the engine in after I do the mounts and sump.

 

Slight angle. Looks about the same angle as this one tho.

 

Zetecmk3yellow.jpg

 

Now it's time to start the fun stuff.

Fab the engine mounts, sump thermostat housing/water rail.

 

It's well past beer-oclock today tho.

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Couple of money shots not taken with my phone.

 

100_0718.jpg

 

100_0719.jpg

 

Fabbing up my own engine mounts starting with baseplates outta 6mm plate.

Hopefully get some templates down to be water jetted out tomorrow arvo.

 

Oh yeah.

Got a Discussion thread sorted: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/

Have at me guys :-)

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Hello you... And welcome to Starship Cortina.

On this weeks episode...

Rust rust and more rust.

 

Waiting on engine mounting plates and a couple of other things to be water jetted out so started ripping the back end apart.

 

DSC_0098.jpg

 

Who does such things?

Chocky blocks are the devil.  I'll need to redo this and clean it all up.  I want trailer lights. But this is wack.

 

DSC_0099.jpg

 

CNG has been fitted at some stage and then pulled out prior to me getting my hands on her.  This isn't mounted the best. But I'll fix it and use it to run the fuel lines up and back for my swirl tank.

 

Back inside to tear some more down and check out the rust I'm dealing with in the floor plan.

 

DSC_0102.jpg

 

That's the worst of it in the bottom A pillar.D/S

Close up:

 

DSC_0107.jpg

 

RHS A Pillar needs a bit of work too. Seams on both sides need a clean up.  But she still ain't bad considering.

 

DSC_0104.jpg

 

Close up:

 

DSC_0105.jpg

 

 

Pulled the rest of the dash and vent system out for a bit of a look.

Solid as a rock in the factory brown primer.

 

DSC_0114.jpg

 

Boss has been keeping an eye on my rims. This is his mk3s 2000E rear guard after a bit of messing.  Doing the same small flare to mine front and back.

 

DSC_0097.jpg

 

This isn't my first Rodeo.

Bolts are all in filter bags and labelled like this.  SO much easier to find :-)

 

DSC_0096.jpg

 

Huge cheers to everyone watching for their support and advice.

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Got a flying delivery from trademe today.  Dude sent the goods yesterday before I'd even paid for it.  Paid for it today and they turned up an hour later. GOOD BUGGER!

 

DSC_0116.jpg

Center console.

The center strip for the stashbox cover/armrest needs recovering.

 

Every man still needs his mum sometimes. And the lid is one of those cases where she's just gonna make it all better. :-)

 

Gotta call about my Water jet engine mount plates.  They've come in under time and budget.

 

The next instalment should see some more progress in the drivetrain. :-)

Any recommendations on Engine mounts?  I see Rover V8 mounts being used in a couple of pintos?

What's the guts of this?  Same size as the original pinto mounts?

Can I mock it all up with the Cortina mounts and then biff the rover mounts in once I get them?

 

//oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/  Would love to get your input guys!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hello you...

And Welcome,

To Starship Cortina!

 

On todays episode...

 

Waterjetted Engine mount plates.

 

DSC_0118.jpg

 

6mm plate.  Overkill.  But I like overkill.

My Cert. engineer likes overkill too :-)

 

New Landrover engine mount rubbers And 2L Cortina engine mounts.  The exhaust side needed 25mm cut off the end and some spacers made up behind it.

 

DSC_0125.jpg

 

Inlet side was a little more and a little less pissing round... In the end we've gone for function over form and bolted the Cortina bracket thru the 6mm plate to the block before tacking it on.

 

DSC_0126.jpg

 

Pulled it all out again so we could get a good run going.

tickled surfaces up a tad for good penetration and spat out these.

 

DSC_0129.jpg

 

Back in with the inlet mani back on.

 

DSC_0132.jpg

 

The mounts in situ

 

DSC_0131.jpg

 

DSC_0130.jpg

 

That's all for this week.

Tune in next week when I take on the header pipes fab, and cut & shut the sump.

Thanks for looking!

Discus my inferior workmanship here: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/  :-)

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Hello You.

And welcome,

To Starship Cortina.

 

On this weeks flying instalment.

BFGs

and Sump hacking.

 

But first. A nana approved back seat.

Remember how I said sometimes a man needs his mum?

Sometimes Nana is even better.

 

581604_10152666684985084_165828273_n.jpg

 

Rear seat back is in good condition, some one at some time has used the Cortina to move poo brown roof paint. Thumbs down.

Couple of small tears down the bottom, but that's it.  Thumbs up.

This was done with "BAM! and the dirt is gone" and a 3m scouring pad stolen from nana's kitchen.

 

530222_10152666684645084_445559421_n.jpg

 

Quick wipe down with a baby wipe (I keep 'em in the workshop. They get shit offa EVERYTHING)

Nana: "Think of all the fun you can have in a back seat that big David"

Grimmy: "I'm 6'2" nana, I'm too long to have sex in the back of cars... Believe me, I've tried"

Nana: "Your just not being anywhere near creative enough"

 

You win this round Nana.

 

Like I said. This is a flying instalment. Everything in the world of Starship Cortina has to go on the back burner for a couple of weeks.  School Holidays.

It's only 2 days into it and I'm already feeling it at work. Kids everywhere. Hyped up on sugar and Erin Simpson. (I'd hit that)

 

Needed some stress release.

 

Enter the BFG... 10" grinder. Biffed on a Masonry disc to hack up the sump.

Mill drill? I wish. The BFG it is.  Pretty confident I can cut a straight line.

Measure many times. Have a smoke. Measure again several more times... Cut it once.

Game on...

 

DSC_0133.jpg

 

"Look. Thy sump haft been cleft in twain." Shakespear would say... If he had done a Zetec conversion into a mk3 GoTina.

 

Measured from the block surface to the top of the steering rack and it's 130mm.  Hacked the sump off square at 90mm leaving just enough room for the oil pickup to run along under the crank guard and down to the bowl. With the bowl being moved the oil pickup pipe has to be moved too. Decided a curve to give a low point 10mm below the sump cut will still leave me 30mm clearance from the steering rack/crossmember and give me another 10mm in the sump should I need it. (Error on the side of caution and all that jazz)

 

You can see the beginnings of making up a template.  I've got to do the math a little bit more on sump capacity.

The Mondy sump before the chop takes 3.8 litres and the full mark on the dipstick is inline with the end of the bolts on the crack cover/splash guard in the sump.

 

With this in mind the theory is cut the sump, add a bowl to the rear once clear of the cross member that will total up to 3.8 litres when full to the same point on the dipstick.  Will mean shortening the dipstick about 30mm, and I'll lose the original "low" mark. But nothing that will have any major impact on anything. And most importantly will leave full and half where they currently are.

 

DSC_0134.jpg

 

In this photo you can see the rear line that marks clearance to the crossmember, and the front line that marks clearance from the steering rack.

We've given ourselves a minimum of 30mm of space all round everything inside the bay.  Nothing is going to move.  But again. Always like to go a little bit beyond minimum requirements.

 

Hopefully getting the sump sussed out this week.

I'll have a crack at many things, But Tig welding ali isn't one of them.  Especially not impure ali.

Asked a couple of mates that might know someone and the same name has come up a couple of times.

 

Just need to track him down and find out if he's interested in a relatively quick one off cash job that could be slightly annoying, but will come with the reward of free cold beer provided he delivers a reasonable and fair price.  (Translation: see if he's keen/high enough on the food chain to do it in his downtime at work for the cost of materials and beer/bit of cashhhh)

 

Failing that I'll have to walk into the local ali fab shop and hope they are interested in taking a look.

If anyone knows of any guys in pretty much the entire north island that take on that kinda work drop us a hint on my discussion thread: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/

Or even if anyone could give me a rough idea what it could be kinda worth to get done.  Would be a bonus to have a ball park idea.

 

Exhaust flange is due from the water jet guys.

Budget is getting close to being blown again... (hahahaha. Doesn't it always get blown?) So kinda thankful the school holidays arrived when they did. School hols = more hours = more dollars = less free time on my car.  But We'll get there, Target is Feb. Fingers crossed.

 

Thanks for looking guys.

Time for a cold beer and a mellow puff.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hello you...

And Welcome,

to Starship Cortina.

 

On this weeks episode...

 

Not much actually.

Drew an Exhaust manifold flange up a couple of weeks ago.

 

Haven't really messed with autoCAD since tech.  And never played with Solidworks before.  Photoshop is my bitch tho.

Photoshop exports .dxl and .dwg files. Sounds like a solid plan.

 

Armed with Verniers, a box of Pure Blonde, and everything Mr Dave Grohl has ever done I measured everything up so many times I can now give port measurements off the top of my head.

 

Swap the calipers for a keyboard, and the beer for some of the finest hydro herbal enhancement I can lay my hands on, Then I went to town in photochop.

 

Didn't bother getting it jetted on mdf as a test run.  Took a gamble and backed myself on my drawing. It's not like I measured it drunk, and drew it high or anything crazy like that.

 

DSC_134.jpg

 

Have I mentioned I get a woody over seeing shit I've drawn jetted out?

Will it fit?

Place bets now...

 

DSC_0135.jpg

 

LIKE A GLOVE!

 

Considering the backwards half assed way I went about drawing it up.

Pretty stoked with the outcome.

 

Update on the Sump mod.

My step sister. (IE the younger sister I never wanted) works in the office at the local ali fab workshop.  She's going to sort it or I'm going to punch her... repeatedly.

 

Next step headers and water rail.  Then it's onto the body.

Gotta contact thru work at the local muffler shop. So they're going to bend header pipes up over several trips in and out with much dicking round. 1.75" primaries. 4 into 1 collector, I'm thinking 2.5" from the collector thru a couple of mufflers.  Don't want it too loud.  The auto box lacks an overdrive. so the motor is doing around 4krpm at 100 clicks. Last thing I want is a droney noisy exhaust at 100km/h.

 

Can't wait to get the motor out and flip the body on it's side. As much as I HATE panel & prep.  I'm getting over the engineering work.

 

Thanks for watching.

 

Oh yeah... The 1600 and 4 speed is up for grabs if anyone is interested.  Can be started if someone insisted on it. But I'm keeping the starter and the alt. I'd throw it in the for sale section but I have no idea what it's worth. I think it's a drop in for an esky? if a 1300 sump is fitted? Flick me a PM if your keen on it. (Unless saying that is breaking the rules, In which case, I'll sit on the naughty mat, and hope someone gives me an idea of what it's worth so I can list it)

 

Peace love and free parking.

 

Cheers.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello You.

And welcome, To Starship Cortina!

 

On this weeks episode...

Headers of Do0m!

 

Rocked in to see the guys at Taranaki Tire Torque armed with the header flange and some wire rod bent using the eyeometer.

Less than an hour later we had some pipe looking things.

DSC_0165.jpg

Much like the Engine mounts. Bolted the flange to the head and tacked the pipes into place, Then pulled them out to get a good run on 'em.

DSC_0166.jpg

You can see where I've cocked up slightly in my drunken measuring for the header flange and had to resort to the die grinder and washers here.

DSC_0167.jpg

It was about this point I noticed number 3 was on the piss. (Typical... Sigh) So just tweaked it with the gas plant and brute force.

DSC_0169.jpg

Matt black ceramic rattle can. It's just starting to go off in a couple of places of the 2nd coat. But pretty happy with it.

DSC_0172.jpg

HUGE credit to my boss for laying down some f&%king clean stitching on this one. Pipe is hard to get a good run on and to continuously do it in one bead. (Or maybe it is just for me. I am kinda spastic.)

Collector should be here tomorrow morning. Get that on, get them cured, Then pull the motor, along with the last remaining things still attached to the body (Fuel tank, rear bumper, doors and glass) and it's getting flipped on it's side to start the underbody prep and metal work.

Got a cut off date on the rolling body repaired and in the first coat of primer. Dec 2. Need the workshop space for other things. And we've commited to a date of those things arriving.

Tune in next week as we get stuck into the underbody and start some of the metal work.

Thanks for watching.

Insult my workmanship here... //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hello you.
And Welcome... To Starship Cortina!
 
On this weeks episode...
Sideways Cortina
And Cortina Cancer.
 
But first a quick money shot before pulling the front rack/motor/box/diff and biffing her sideways.

 

DSC_0174.jpg

 

Ripped the doors off, dropped the fuel tank, pulled the body loom out, and sweated like a fat kid in a candy store getting the front glass out... Luckly the rear popped out without too much effort.  Still the metallic blue paint underneath all the way round front and back.  Quietly STOKED.

 

Loosened off all the suspension bolts front and rear. Pulled the brake lines, handbrake cables, and opened up the very edges of the headliner right round. If it ain't broke under the headliner, Don't fix it.  Just like the glass, Mint.

 

Grabbed some done 4x4 tires. Lifted the front up off the x-member and stacked 2 tires under the rails each side.  Pushed the front end down, And pulled the diff etc out. With the diff and front suspension outta the way we had no problem flipping the shell up on it's side to rest up on some more tires.

 

DSC_0185.jpg

 

As always.  Metal cancer is always far worse then you initially think. And the Starship is no exception.

Both front rails need some work...

 

DSC_0187.jpg

 

Drivers side is rotten right round. Already had plans on replacing it anyway. Passenger side is a prevous attempt at a patch.  You know the kind. The kind where they just weld a plate over the rust.  I assume in an attempt to avoid actually having to measure shit on the bush centers. Not even gonna bother dicking round with it.  This is exactly the sorta shit the spare body is for. Split it at it's seams and swap 'em over.

 

DSC_0188.jpg

 

This passed a wof at some point aparently. But I strongly doubt it's ever been pretty.

 

Couple of previous "Weld a patch over the old rust" patches in the rear sils that will have to be cut out and done properly. It needs to be opened up for flaring the guards anyway. And the jack points are a waste of effing time made outta body steel and not braced so they're comming off too.

 

DSC_0190.jpg

 

DSC_0189.jpg

 

Gotta one piece driveshaft.  So the hanger bearring mounts are comming off. Already pulled out the CNG and fuel lines.

 

So the very next mission is odviously the underbody.

 

I've heard stories of freezing it with dry ice. I've heard of blood sweat and tears with screwdrivers/chisels/putty knives.

 

We're gonna hit it with a steam blaster and get all the crap off it first.  Then nail it in sections with the gas plant and a scraper.

It comes off relatively easy with a bit of heat.  Takes a little bit of practice to sus out exactly how much heat is just right.  But once there it comes off like butter.

 

Tune in next week when we take on the underbody stripping.

This week the only thing left to do is empty a couple of these... :-)

DSC_0184.jpg

 

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Hello You...

and welcome!

To Starship Cortina.

 

On this weeks episode.

Rust, Dodgy previous repairs, And introducing my favorite tool (for now)...

The Air Chisel of Openinging... and do0m.

 

39c228c0-a237-40cc-81f0-fbe82c9077a0.jpg

 

 

Both Sills have rust in the rear ends.  They have also been repaired using the "Just weld a patch over it" school of thought.  With the old sill still rusting away underneath, Sigh.  My dearly departed Poppa's words ringing in my ears "You only ever see a tenth of it"

 

DSC_0190.jpg

 

 

Split the "3 skins" apart into what was left of their layers with my new favorite air tool.  The Chisel of division.  The rattle gun is pretty hard to beat for pure awesomeness.  But the chisel is like "If it doesn't fit... get a bigger hammer".  Me Likey.

 

DSC_0198.jpg

 

HACKED the side of the sill open in frustration and man sulking and split the inner holey cheese away from the rest of the car and the boss cut a new patch out and filled it in.

 

DSC_0205.jpg

 

Shut my eyes. and hacked into the rust in the front section of chassis rail.

 

DSC_0195.jpg

 

BEHOLD... BAM! and zee rust is gone!

 

DSC_0197.jpg

 

Smashed the air down the rail while I had the chance and blew out a chunk O crap.  I'm knocking kilos off this car just by getting the crap off.

 

Should prolly put summink in that gap...

 

DSC_0203.jpg

 

Opened up the drivers side sill and was greeted with exactly the same gremlins as the passenger side.  New sill section braised over rusty holey messy dumbness.

 

Before zee chisel of division wins it's epic battle.

 

DSC_0189.jpg

 

And after:

 

DSC_0200.jpg

 

Was about this time we ran outta panel steel.  So cut off the hanger bearing mounts, ripped the rear valance off, and fired off a pic of the old 1600 for an interested party.

 

Picking up some more panel steel tomorrow, to smash out the rear end repairs.  Hopefully the steam blaster is available on Thursday. All going to plan Should have the seal off before the weekend and ready to re seal next week.

 

Discuss the awesomeness of the air chisel of do0m here...  //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/

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Hello You!

And welcome...

To Starship Cortina.

 

On this weeks mini webisode bonus special... I'm wet... And not in a good way.

When we last left the Starship she was looking like this...

 

DSC_0185.jpg

 

Bit Dirty... Again... Not in a good way.

So went to see the good buggers down at the local hire quip and made off with their high pressure high temp water blaster when they weren't looking.

 

Only to discover it hadn't been checked and was outta diesel... Screw you Karma. I should ring kyle and the boys to complain... Oh wait... we flogged it. (Disclaimer. We didn't really steal it, But Screw you Karma anyway.)

 

I've heard stories of late nights soaking the shit in petrol/something to soften it, I've heard of sweating like a fat kid in the cross country and scraping/chiseling/digging and pretty much putting blood sweat and tears into getting the factory underbody tar sealer off. 

 

This is after hitting it twice with the steam blaster.  Don't get me wrong. It isn't a walk in the park, You get drenched, you get covered in crap, I burned myself on the wand fitting half a doz times. I spat water/steam in my face a million times, and you gotta have a firm grip on the wand at all times.  But it's actually pretty enjoyable Vs the other options.  It is an all day mission tho.

 

DSC_0216.jpg

 

I found you have to work on a section and heat the surface of the metal up, get a loose edge and it chipping off as it softens...

 

DSC_0217.jpg

 

DSC_0209.jpg

 

Hit it with a 3rd pass and really concentrated on the few remaining built up areas that weren't back to factory primer.

 

DSC_0206.jpg

 

Before:

DSC_0211.jpg

 

After:

 

DSC_0215.jpg

 

Dropped it back down flat and also ripped thru the bay. But didn't take any photos, It was getting dark, and I was wet... Still not in a good way.

 

Also gave the diff and front rack the same treatment. It's much nicer to pull shit apart that isn't covered in crap.  And the steam blaster has done a kick ass job.  Things seem to be happening at the right pace for it to be back rolling by the end of the month.

 

Next mission...

scratch it up to get some primer on. Finish off the last part of the Sill supports.  Then strip down the diff and front rack ready for rebuilding.

 

Thanks for watching :-)

 

EDIT:

Friday knock off with her back inside and looking a whole lot better below her panty line.

 

DSC_0219.jpg

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hello You...

And Welcome to Starship Cortina.

 

On this weeks LONG overdue episode.

INVASION OF THE DAILY DRIVER OF OVERHEATING AND SHITNESS.

And a silver lining.

 

So my daily is a '85 BF Mazda Familia 1500 carby hatch with the sunroof of awesome.

About 2 weeks ago the radiator decided to just drop a tennis ball sized chunk outta itself and then not tell me.  (OK so maybe I don't look at gauges as much as I should, and maybe it did try to tell me)

 

Anyway, Long story short. Cracked head. (BOOOO DAILY. You've been awesome for years till now)

Swapping a spare motor in before this weekend.

 

Because picless posts suck.

Here is a pic of the offending pain in my ass.

DSC_0220.jpg

 

In my travels to find a new daily I came across a too cheap to be true mk2 (98ish) Ford Mondeo.

One of these is what my 2 litre Zetec motor came from.  The price was worth it just for parts/spares, and if it lasted a year or so SWEET.

 

It didn't even survive the 20 kays from the sellers home to mine before doing exactly what the stupid Mazda did.

(Was a risk I took when I brought it. I knew "Something wasn't quite right"... Turns out it was the gearbox.)

 

But it has provided me with a spare fuel pump, loom, ECU, sensors, injectors, intake mani, throttle bodies, etc.  And I'll take the smart locks, ignition barrel, door barrels, leccy window and central locking parts for retrofitting into the Cortina Hell maybe even the seats.

 

I'm not decided on weather to part off whats left or just scrap it. Prolly should part it off as the panels are all straight and good.

 

Again work is getting very busy with this time of year, so...

Tune in again NEXT YEAR when we continue the ongoing saga of the Starship Cortina.

 

Until then.

Thanks for reading

 

Discus: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/

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  • 1 year later...

December 2013..
Holy shitballs batman. Has it been that long?
Ehem.....
 

Hello You!

And welcome...

To Starship Cortina.

A lot has happened in the last 18ish months...
A plane disapeared. (Conspiracy? How the hell do you lose a whole f%$king plane?)
I've almost rebuilt the entirety of the Girlfriends Shitty Nissan. (This isn't a thing against Nissan's. Just the girlfriends p10 Primera is a shitbox)
 
And Starship Cortina hasn't moved an inch.

DSC_0219_1.jpg

 

Until now...

...

Well.

She still hasn't really moved an inch.

But.

I've made some progress.

 

IMG_20150611_170117.jpg

 

For a 40+ year old paint job. That blue stuff is sticking pretty well...

 

IMG_20150611_170108.jpg

 

I can feel a tiny bit of momentum building this week...

 

IMG_20150611_170138.jpg

 

Half an under body stripped.

 

IMG_20150612_200939.jpg

 

Having some thoughts on Diffs.

Read about a worked 2L pinto sending 168rwhp into a 2L Cortina diff and getting diff chunks in his diff oil more than once in the last 12 months.

 

I won't be putting a 170 horse through it. But... I don't really wanna stick with the ford diff if it's only goal in life is to fill my diff oil with diff chunks. (I HATE buying new diff oil. that shits expensive... Oh and so are diffs that aren't in chunks)

 

Might have to have a measure with the tape.  I'm sure I read somewhere that a 80s hilux diff isn't too much work to get in.

 

Tune in next week when I'll have finished stripping the paint and strengthing up the shell.

 

Berate me for my lazyness and sheer lack of ability to work on cars for the last year or so, And tell me all the reasons a hilux diff isn't the way to go: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40329-grimmys-71-mk3-cortina-zetec/

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ever have one of those days where you have an epic post with photos and blood and awesomeness and dragons, and then the internet takes a giant shit and you lose the lot?

Hello You...
And Welcome to Starship Cortina.

This week.
Grinders suck.  My thumbs hurt. My wrists ache. I'm still pulling wire bristles out of my dreads.
There was some of this...

IMG_20150619_200405.jpg

Followed by some of this...
(When they disintergrate they really actually do disintergrate huh?)

 

IMG_20150618_122837.jpg
Then there was some of this...
IMG_20150615_184837.jpg
Found some swiss cheese in the boot. And a small hole just breaking through in the tire well.
still really happy with the condition of the car in general especially since now I figure all the rust is exposed.

 

Remember how I stored all those bolts and shit together for future me...

Took me 2 days find the box with all the bolt bags... Fail.

Finding the missing seat runner nut right where it should be... WIN!

 

IMG_20150617_112606.jpg

 

Next on the cards is to do the panel beating on the underside.
Being really anal retentive about it. There's a couple of dings to smooth out. And those couple of patches to do.
Seaming up all the factory stuff and smoothing it all off. Ready for new seal next week.

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