STEVE440

Did you use the original flexible hoses ? What pads did you use ? I have heard using EBC Green or Red stuff is a good option.

I know this is going to conflict with what most people think but the 1.8 Pinto is a very underrated engine, back in the late 80's I had one in a Sierra that I picked up cheap at an auction. I put a Weber on it instead of the original carb that Ford had fitted and it would keep up with a 2.0 in the real world and used less fuel.

Its amazing how long some stuff can last is stored correctly, a mate last year purchased an MGB. Absolute time warp and original even down to the tyres, we think they were the originals as it only had 18k on it and he thinks this is original looking at the MOT history. He has replaced all the rubber on the car now even the screen rubber. Everything just undid and no rust anywhere. Nice when you find them it just doesn't happen very often and they are only original once.

I have purchased a couple of Autospark looms and both have been trouble. On one when the indicators flashed the horn sounded. I rung them and they immediately told me what the problem was, apparently they had connected the wires inside incorrectly and if I wanted to send the loom back they would rectify it. Needless to say I didnt and fixed it myself once he had told me where in the loom the problem would be. You would think they would test it especially when you consider the cost. A new loom often seems like a good idea but I prefer to repair what is in the car unless completely destroyed. Often all that is needed is some new ends and new loom tape.

So they had a go at dragging it out with the Land Rover, a chain was put around the front crossmember and the winch was started, after a few seconds some noise and crunching and the front crossmember with the engine and gearbox came out with the remains of the front suspension on it. The rest of the car stayed where it was. They had another go and managed to pull some of it but its coming out in a deconstructed state. Sadly no pictures but he told me its unrecognisable, it was totally rotten. There must have been a rats nest in or under it as they had several come rushing out as they pulled. The Garage has not collapsed but has moved. A very sad end to a nice car. If its still there when i finish work tomorrow I will see if i can take some pictures. That South African car could be a bargain, fit a MPH Speedo and some standard UK spec MK4 wheels and you would have a real sleeper.

This looks nice https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1978038 I know its not that expensive to import from South Africa as a member of our local classic car club paid about £1000 plus the vat on his purchase price to import a car last year. No rust just dull paint. I am tempted but those wheels would have to go. They are going to have a go at dragging the rusty one out of its garage tomorrow weather permitting. They have a Range Rover with a winch. and numerous cables and chains coming over. I was going to go and help but my son rung so family comes first.

You need to get that washed off ASAP. I can remember many years ago the neighbors to my parents were having some building work done and the cement dust kept settling on my Mum's car, when my Dad washed it off it seemed to leave marks on the paint, he ended up T cutting the paint to get rid of it and even then it wasnt perfect. It is getting worse with the subject of this thread, a scrap dealer turned up and said he would not touch it unless it was out of the garage as he could not be responsible for any damage done to the property. He is going to speak to a friend of his with a Land Rover to see if they can drag it out with ropes and chains. Apparently the scrap dealer suggested just cut it up and he would provide a skip to put it in. Having done that to a car its not as easy as you think and you get through a lot of discs.

I think it has been past saving for a long time, maybe it would have been a source for some parts a few years ago but I have seen better cars in scrapyards. Sadly all out pride and joys will end up this way one day. A few years ago I was asked to look at an XR3i that had less than 9k on the clock. It had been put in a damp garage when it was about a year old. It was so rotten the drivers door fell off the A post as I opened it, the front seats were on the garage floor as the floor was so rotten and the battery had fallen through the bulkhead and landed on the floor by the seats.

So no reg number as it had been on a personal plate he thinks. He rung a couple of scrap yards and neither were interested unless he delivered it. He is going to ring a scrap metal merchant tomorrow who apparently is more likely to want it, there is other scrap metal around the site including an old digger that is in a worse state than the Cortina,

I dont remember seeing one but I will ask him.

Yes good to look at but even with the best optimistic vision I could never see it was even worth dragging it out. I expect once it comes out of the shed it could look even worse and might even start to disintegrate. I will ask him to take some photos when it gets pulled out. He said he will give some scrapyards a call to see if any want to collect it. I did look to see if I could see any badges to identify it but nothing was visible.

That was a waste of time. The car is a total basket case. Every panel has holes and the roof has numerous large dents. There is hardly any paint on the car but it looks like it was originally chocolate brown. The bonnet is missing the first 6 to 8 inches and as we lifted it broke away from the hinges The engine has dropped and is at an odd angle. The interior is rodent damaged ,covered in mold and stinks. It is an Essex engine and most of the wiring in the engine bay is destroyed . Oddly one tyre seems to have some air in it. The shed it has been stored in leaks and I reckon will collapse when the car is extracted. as some of the uprights are leaning against the passenger side. I looked over the car to see if anything could be salvaged but I dont think even the engine is worth extracting as it I suspect it is seized solid looking at the state of it. ( One rocker cover has a rust hole in it ) I didnt bother with any pictures as it was very gloomy in the shed and dont think you would have seen anything.

Yes will do.

A friend of a friend rung me today. He is clearing his late Uncles house and in the garage there is a Cortina Estate MK4 with an Essex V6. He knows it has not been on the road for at least 20 years but he seems to think it was purchased new with this engine by his Uncle as a retirement present to himself. Did they ever make them like this or was it a conversion ? I have no idea of its condition and I am due to have a look at it after work tomorrow. I must say it has got me interested even though I promised the wife I would not be buying any more cars. I am not expecting much but fingers crossed.

Sadly a lot of QH stuff is now generic reboxed parts from all the same manufacturers. I have got to the stage I carry a spare of parts that would stop me getting home that I can fit by the side of the road. So much of this stuff is made as cheap as possible. The problem is a lot of people ask for the cheapest part and not the one with the longest warranty. I recently fitted an alternator to a friends classic car, it didnt work and neither did the replacement supplied by the same supplier. We ended up getting one from a local motor factor and the price difference was only £12 more.