hi there just joined as will be hopefully restoring this van to it former glory




the van has been sitting for over 17 year owned by the same person for 20 years from what i can see it quit soild for a 30 + year old van

 

Hi mate welcome,
Looks nice project to do,
Do like the old mk3 vans

 

not many of them left

 

thanks for the good replys iv also for few more project mk2 transit spec lift and a vw mk1 golf 1.8turbo but would like to try and get it done for the new year if lucky need two floor pans and rear arches which ive just brought on ebay the seals and battery tray was replaced 15 year ago acording to last owner and still look good so ok there

 

also would any one know weather a mk3 2 or 4 door car door will fit the van

 

pretty sure you want the door from a 5 door escort or mk3 orion.

 

mk3 escort 4 door or mk1 orion fit

 

just a few more pic i got

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mange to get a set if s1 rs1600i rim locally with good tyres that l give a refub

 

not very many of these going about these days look like you got a good wee bit off work there keep it up i look forward to the updates

 

Hi and welcome looks like you save it just in time, good on you

 

the last owner told me it might have a 1.6 xr3 engine in but how can you tell the difference from 1.6 and a 1.3 also it has a 4 speed gearbox if that help
any help would be nice

 

Did you not get any paper work with it? Or has it had and engine change from standard?

 

i need to send off for logbook as they lost it but its down as a 1.3 was told it had a 1.6 xr3 engine fitted and it also has xr3 wheels but is there a way to tell

 

Awesome project mate good luck!

 

i remember driving a xreg escort van and that had a 1600 xr3 engine in it it flew some off the earlier vans had them

 

I like that mate wud like a mk3 van myself pm me if u decide to sell

 

Got any pics of the engine?

 

got all the repair panels now and have started cutting the passenger side floor pan out but have been thinking about getting an rs turbo engine but what do i need to make it fit and work

 

Good project. As for engine will either have 1.6 or 1.3 on the block at the front

 

Hi and welcome. Cool project.The van looks a bit tired.

 

Pic of engine! Thats uber cool would LOVE a mk3 van or estate plenty of pics please

 

Loved the mk3 & 4 vans, takes me back to the 90's, all the tasteful (and not so tasteful!) examples in Max Power etc.
Shame they're a rare sight these days.

 

blimey savage sam a rare beast you have got their mate hope you give it a new lease of life and good luck with it mate I will be keeping a eye on this thread it definetly keep you out of trouble!!

 

Love mk3 vans. As said very rare these days.

I wouldn't worry about the engine just concentrate on getting the bodywork sorted first.

Keep it as near to standard as possible imo

 

hi savage sam have we made any progress on her yet mate?

 

thanks for all the good replys i have cut the floor pan out and have place the new panels in place till i can get some electric for the welder and have primed the front end plus replace the front lights

 

God id love rthis!!!!

 

looks better already mate!!! a so want to come and give you a hand such a shame your so far away!

 

some more update on how the vans looking both floor pans are done and rear arches are done






this side was done but forgot to take picture
still alot to do but going to at least get one side done filled and primed

 

Hi, I am currently contemplating buying a mk3 van I know where there is one and had a look at it the other day. Like all vehicles its tired in certain areas and I am trying to decide if its worth getting.

It requires more welding than I would like for some reason O/S is rotten it also needs a new front end as it was in an light accident, the O/S floor pan needs replacing but my main concern is the O/S sill which I have never fitted (is this an epic)?

It also needs a O/S bottom rear panel (similar state to this van). Can you still buy these having looked around at various panel shops they all list hatch back only? do these fit are or they to short?

Do you feel I should buy this van or leave it alone and buy a mk4 and do a conversion I would prefer a mk3 any day. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I would go for the mk3 van if you can weld to be honest when I first saw the van I didn't think it look to bad until I started striping the carpet back the bottem quarter panels you can't get no more so a bit stuck there but can be made ( just takes time ) also when was the last time you saw a mk3 escort van or saw one for sale

 

I went to look at the mk3 again but its a bit more rotten than I thought all the floor pans need replacing inner and outer sill are rotten there are holes down each side of the van where some clown has drilled into the side to attach shelves inside?

There are also holes in the roof where some one has drilled holes down the centre of the roof I would love to own the van but I think its out of my depth being a beginner at welding and I don't have the budget to pay any one to do it for me. I was going to attempt to put the front panel and wings on but rebuilding inner and outer sill and floor pan I think needs to be done properly.

Its strange the van looks solid underneath but when you look from the inside its rotting inside out?

 

To be honest I found a lot more rust then when I first brought mine and I have never seen another one in the last 5 year regarding the welding u are only going to learn by doing it also give your self twice if not three time the time to get it on the road

 

Its getting there bud. Keep up the good graft.

 

Thanks mate trying my best nealy got the drivers side done filled and primed will get some pic up when got a bit of time