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Thought it was about time i pulled my finger out and posted my XR3i restoration. I bought the car back in December 2012. I've only had it on the road for about 4 months when i decided to strip it down and rebuild her.
When i striped it down i unearthed years of bodges and poor mot work and that was when i decided to turn it into a track car.
Fitted a 6 point weld in cage
This trusty old mk3 escort kindly gave up its roof for the 3i due to the original one having a sunroof plus it was very rotten
I carefully removed the excess metal that was attached to the new roof skin and placed the new roof in position.
Just checking and making sure everything was fine before welding. I bonded the sides of the roof skin using genuine BMW panel adhesive which is used for gluing on repair panels on modern BMWs because BMW are against welding as part of the repair process they use this adhesive. The reason being i haven't got a spot welder to weld the sides and to MIG would of been a bad move due to the narrowness of the roof gutters. This glue is as strong as welding, trust me
Roof welded in and welds ground down, skim of filler on all 4 corners finishes it off nicely.
A coat of etch primer to protect the filler work from the elements
There was very light surface rust around the rear arch lip plus I had the weld up a few of screw holes from where the arch spat and mud flap sat.
Now I'm undecided on weather I should keep the original colour (mineral blue) or should I go down the whole 16i touring car maybe a datapost or brooklyn rep? what do the people of passion ford think?
Cracking work there mate, I did my roof skin change the same way by leaving the front and rear frame on the new roof, much easier
Ginger
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Thanks dude. It's been a real labour of love. Next weekend I'm stripping down the engine bay and removing the fuel tank and lines and start prepping the bay
I know what you mean. I've got a brace to weld in across the rear. For some reason that's how the cage is to fit, I've seen some rs16i your cars with the same layout.
Quick updated. Last weekend i managed to remove the engine and gearbox which was a pain in the arse due to lots of seized bolts I've also altered the rear cage but I haven't got any pics of that.
Yeah mate. What motor you got? Hoping to finish the 3i for next summer. Can't beat an early Sunday morning drive in Suffolk, we've got some good country roads.
Yeah mate. What motor you got? Hoping to finish the 3i for next summer. Can't beat an early Sunday morning drive in Suffolk, we've got some good country roads.
Iv got a puma'd fiesta iv got a thread on here .
your not wrong i love the road from hadleigh to Sudbury when our cars are done we will have to go for a blast
Iv got a puma'd fiesta iv got a thread on here .
your not wrong i love the road from hadleigh to Sudbury when our cars are done we will have to go for a blast
I've managed to do quite a bit to the old rust bucket over the christmas period.
Getting it ready for 2k primer.
All masked up and ready to go.
light coat of etch primer over the bare metal.
4 generous coats of 2k high build primer.
The previous owner "bullshited" up the underneath, undersealed over rust etc. I'm lucky the fuel accumulator didn't rupture and spray fuel every where because its rotten as a pear!
Bare metalled areas in the bay that needed it. Had to leave the vin plate on for time being because I forgot to bring my drill to drill it off.
Using a red scotch with panel wipe I managed to clean off years of grease and dirt. Fully prepped the bay for primer. I had to take care of a small amount of filler work where i had welded in sections on the battery tray and fuse box areas.
covered the bare metal with etch primer to offer a bit of protection before it gets 2k primer.
Ohok I need someone who can weld a rear brace for my harness
Sorry dude, if I had more time on my hands I would offer to do it but time is so precious to me what with family and work. Especially as the wife and I are about to have our second child.
Sorry dude, if I had more time on my hands I would offer to do it but time is so precious to me what with family and work. Especially as the wife and I are about to have our second child.
I know what you mean iv got 3 myself so I know what your saying I might just buy one and have a practice and see how it goes
Its all go go go now because the farmer who owns the land is selling up and i'm going to lose my shack I need to get the car painted and rolling with the engine and gearbox in before June! bollocks!
Anyway heres a quick up date. Engine bay is in primer and guide coated up. O/S door and bonnet in primer. Should get the tailgate and N/S door in primer this week. Then get the inside in primer and then start to block the body down.
Nice update jim, need to get cracking have you got anywhere to store it after June
I know I can get a council garage in Hadleigh which doesn't cost much but I won't have electricity in it. A good mate of mine is moving his bodyshop to larger premises later in the year and he said I can store it down there. It could be a blessing in disguise but at the moment it's a right headache.
I know I can get a council garage in Hadleigh which doesn't cost much but I won't have electricity in it. A good mate of mine is moving his bodyshop to larger premises later in the year and he said I can store it down there. It could be a blessing in disguise but at the moment it's a right headache.
ok that's good least you have some where to store it
02-11-2014, 11:06 AM
here we go again... my xr3i
I've also altered the rear cage but I haven't got any pics of that.
