Jump to content

bmxnz11's 81 escort van


bmxnz11

Recommended Posts

The wheel arch and surrounding area was pretty rotten where dirt and moisture had gotten between the layers.

18.resized.jpg.8e2e8a4a356b38b68b37a2a5a99ea1d6.jpg

20.resized.jpg.1b46318b91572cb567603592d0181e78.jpg

All 3 layers were cut out and replaced. I started with the middle section, the strengthening inner piece and then the outer wheel arch. Was a bit tricky to make as the original pieces were no good as templates.

27.resized.jpg.33c8be653127c60a9944fd3618d48d8f.jpg

31.resized.jpg.a27836a46513a5ebf9d92856252ae6e0.jpg

Once the structure had been put back into the van I did the outer quarter. I reused the bumper bracket area as this was fine, but remade the rest of the quarter with 4000 small folds in the folder.

37.resized.jpg.4dff7bf165ac0e75eb46fd84b48a933f.jpg

39.resized.jpg.f063fc3df8ddbf41893327fc5c10cb57.jpg

 

 

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Once the necessary welds were cleaned, everything underneath from the firewall back was blown out, scrubbed, etched, tarred and painted.

33.resized.jpg.a4b760ffef49292c53e80712340c7117.jpg

41.resized.jpg.ff2f18f85e8a3b141f28696878d6fc65.jpg

43.resized.jpg.837fc88a793e0f0414ba64a04302bdee.jpg

As always, all hollows were sprayed with 2pot epoxy stuff and then cavity wax.

Have since put it back together and used it again. Come at me wof man.

//oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/52065-bmxnz11s-81-escort-van/

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
  • 10 months later...
  • 8 months later...
  • 3 months later...
  • 3 months later...

Got this a wof in august. Needed to replace a few things like steering rack, engine mounts and a brake cylinder. Kind of put it on the back burner while working on the orange van and house. I played around with the jets in the bike carbs and felt I got them a bit better. Still seems to run rich at idle, pilot/fuel screw screwed in quite far, and doesn't have the pick up at mid range when I put the foot down. Yet to investigate too much.

Have started to make an air filter housing for the carbs. Using a cut down filter from a Hyundai pony? It was cheap at a swap meet so I built the housing around that. Carved up a wooden template and used the press to make the initial swage in the lid. Folded and cleaned up the edges before pressing and drilling holes for the thread studs to hold it all together.

20190930_204916-2064x1548.thumb.jpg.8c456a8d4b20befad6f8a509cb1ed5f6.jpg

20191008_192425-2064x1548.thumb.jpg.96224da1d439c3cc977fa99e52cf67ab.jpg

20191008_192507-2064x1548.thumb.jpg.67a70ced0727d8bca419d939c45dd29b.jpg

20191008_204645-2064x1548.thumb.jpg.667f178b5f6cc14ec45bfe12d5033a2a.jpg

Will probably just clearcoat it. Next step is to actually tune the carbs better.

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 2 months later...
  • 2 months later...
  • 1 year later...
  • 4 weeks later...

Valves all lapped, threads all cleaned and the remaining surfaces were skimmed. I was hoping to build this motor before Nats but I got unexpectedly busy over the holidays which didn't leave me any spare time so I'm thinking I may not have it done. The current motor is a bit sluggish on the hills due to being a bit low on compression on a couple cylinders so tonight I did a wet compression test to see if I could locate the low compression issue. Engine up to temperature, all spark plugs out, wide open throttle, turn over, check numbers, pour a little oil in the chamber, repeat.

My understanding is if the numbers change, the rings are the issue. If the numbers don't change, the issue will be something in the head. Hoping the numbers wouldn't change and then I could justify simply putting my new head on and away we go. Unfortunately the numbers did change so is it even worth changing the heads over?

20230115_194753.thumb.jpg.94eebc1ce21ec221182b705400581a2b.jpg

  • Sad 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...