Mk4 XR3i Zetec Cabriolet Restoration! - The build commences!
#1
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
Mk4 XR3i Zetec Cabriolet Restoration! - The build commences!
Right then!
Had this Escort now for about 12 months and to be fair its in pretty good order! But after reading other peoples restorations its inspired me to have a go! Not looking for concourse, but as near as I can..
Still not sure whether to keep as an XR3i or go down the RS Turbo, ZVH or Zetec turbo? But will hopefully have decided that by time I come to that!
Will probably be a slow resto, but thought it would be good to document it for me an others to ave a browse thru..
So...
Hope do I upload pics!! I've got them it Photo Bucket?
Cheers, Kev.
Had this Escort now for about 12 months and to be fair its in pretty good order! But after reading other peoples restorations its inspired me to have a go! Not looking for concourse, but as near as I can..
Still not sure whether to keep as an XR3i or go down the RS Turbo, ZVH or Zetec turbo? But will hopefully have decided that by time I come to that!
Will probably be a slow resto, but thought it would be good to document it for me an others to ave a browse thru..
So...
Hope do I upload pics!! I've got them it Photo Bucket?
Cheers, Kev.
Last edited by superbikerider1; 12-01-2016 at 08:49 PM. Reason: Update!
#6
On a tangent
iTrader: (1)
Man thats looks clean op.
i say boost it like this badboy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pwu8...etailpage#t=1s
But keep it as yours looks now..
Love that cab, what a beast!!
Keep us posted op
i say boost it like this badboy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pwu8...etailpage#t=1s
But keep it as yours looks now..
Love that cab, what a beast!!
Keep us posted op
Trending Topics
#8
ive nearly finished mine it was the same as yours be for i started ive got about £25k in it now and has took me 4 years and still not done nms has it at the moment they have done a full 2.1 zvh engine build and are on putting a focus 6 speed box in it its so close i carnt waite good look with yours it looks very clean to start with
#9
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
£25k ! Wow! I'm in no rush meself, jus wanna do it right! I would like to go zvh I think? Keep the original cvh look under the bonnet, but better power an reliability!
#12
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
#16
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
Cheers for the comments peeps!
Been busy removin as much as poss! Got lots of bits ready for basting and powder coating, an also lots of bits to be zinc coated..
Underside is cleared now, and most of engine bay, just waiting to source a crane to borrow an the lump is ready to come out!
Few pics as it is now..
Engine bay..
Underside..
Also cut off the rear valance as it was dented an rusted beyond repair!
Next is to get the engine out, then start stripping all the old underseal an paint from underneath an engine bay, then try an get then prepped an painted!
Not lookin forward to the graft of this part, but lookin forward to the end result! Any advice/pointers for this stage or any other are much appreciated!
Been busy removin as much as poss! Got lots of bits ready for basting and powder coating, an also lots of bits to be zinc coated..
Underside is cleared now, and most of engine bay, just waiting to source a crane to borrow an the lump is ready to come out!
Few pics as it is now..
Engine bay..
Underside..
Also cut off the rear valance as it was dented an rusted beyond repair!
Next is to get the engine out, then start stripping all the old underseal an paint from underneath an engine bay, then try an get then prepped an painted!
Not lookin forward to the graft of this part, but lookin forward to the end result! Any advice/pointers for this stage or any other are much appreciated!
#18
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
Started to strip the old paint underseal etc from one of the rear arches today using an angle grinder, with a twisted knot cup brush attachment..
Wow, hard graft! Took me over 2 hours to pretty much strip the inside of one arch! I thought i read somehere on here of someone using a heat gun and scraper, I tried this an got nowhere?
Anyone have any other ideas?? Or does this sound about right??
Will upload a pic either later or tomoz!
Wow, hard graft! Took me over 2 hours to pretty much strip the inside of one arch! I thought i read somehere on here of someone using a heat gun and scraper, I tried this an got nowhere?
Anyone have any other ideas?? Or does this sound about right??
Will upload a pic either later or tomoz!
#20
PassionFord Post Whore!!
thats looking good! just seen this project and i realy like it. Where abouts in cheshire are you? and i think you should keep it original. Its unusual to see one that hasnt been modified nowadays. P.s 2 hours to strip a wheel arch sounds about right. It sure is a long boring slog.
#22
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
thats looking good! just seen this project and i realy like it. Where abouts in cheshire are you? and i think you should keep it original. Its unusual to see one that hasnt been modified nowadays. P.s 2 hours to strip a wheel arch sounds about right. It sure is a long boring slog.
#23
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
#24
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
like a nice cabbie! especially a late 90 g or h plate, bladdered in underseal and rot free where it counts, why couldnt ford of done this to all their cars...
looks mint anyway, im only down the road myself too, crack on!
looks mint anyway, im only down the road myself too, crack on!
Last edited by atm; 29-01-2012 at 09:52 PM.
#25
It Wasnt Me!
Good work so far, I've also been through all this on my series 1 rear arches didn't look bad so personally i'd have left them in original stonechip and re-painted! but nice to get them back to bare metal to see what's going on keep it up, and keep the faith, close the garage door and forget on the days that you cant be f*cked with it and feel like selling up, 'cos it will happen believe!
#26
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
Was gonna do a few hours tonight, but went in there an was just not feelin the love for it today, managed to scotch the inner wheel arch down, etch primer it then give it a coat of primer an walked away feelin a bit stressed with it all!
On a plus side this little parcel turned up today..
Full set of powerflex bushes!
If only I was anywhere near fittin them!
On a plus side this little parcel turned up today..
Full set of powerflex bushes!
If only I was anywhere near fittin them!
#27
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
Good work so far, I've also been through all this on my series 1 rear arches didn't look bad so personally i'd have left them in original stonechip and re-painted! but nice to get them back to bare metal to see what's going on keep it up, and keep the faith, close the garage door and forget on the days that you cant be f*cked with it and feel like selling up, 'cos it will happen believe!
#28
It Wasnt Me!
lol, wait til its a bare shell looking rough and needing paint, you'll ask yourself whyyyy
once it comes back from bodyshop ready to go back together and looking mint, you'll see the answer
once it comes back from bodyshop ready to go back together and looking mint, you'll see the answer
#29
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
Little update! Was gettin fed up of strippin paint an underseal an thinkin i prob shoulda left it! As others have also said! So decided to strip it down an then decide the next step!
So now I have this..
Think I'm gonna leave the paint now to the bodyshop? But still not decided? There is areas underneath that have the original underseal missing? Like where its been jacked up an on axle stands etc? can I just paint on a rubber type underseal like the orihinal? Any advice on the best to use??
Cheers!
So now I have this..
Think I'm gonna leave the paint now to the bodyshop? But still not decided? There is areas underneath that have the original underseal missing? Like where its been jacked up an on axle stands etc? can I just paint on a rubber type underseal like the orihinal? Any advice on the best to use??
Cheers!
#31
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Keep it standard as possible mate. Ive just finished my xr3i and only mods are exhaust system and rs white wheels.
Im even spending £500 on rebuilding the engine even though i could turbo it for that but a standard xr is a VERY rare sight these days.
Few years and a standard one will be almost unheard of! Anyways good luck, keep the pics coming!
Im even spending £500 on rebuilding the engine even though i could turbo it for that but a standard xr is a VERY rare sight these days.
Few years and a standard one will be almost unheard of! Anyways good luck, keep the pics coming!
#32
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
I've already decided on the colour! Its goin Frozen White! But still standard looking, no RS kit or nothin, Just different wheels! I'm not keen on the 2 tone, an seen a few all blue, but I prefer white!
Cheers for the comments peeps..
Cheers for the comments peeps..
#33
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (5)
is nice to see a cabbie being restored not many people do them
heres the link to when i did mine to give you a run down on whats involved though looks like your getting there
https://passionford.com/forum/restor...17-2-06-a.html
this was still going and only thing changed on it was wheels when i sold it, but the lad scrapped it last month becuasehe broke it and couldnt sell the shell on without contacting me first else i would of bought it back
heres the link to when i did mine to give you a run down on whats involved though looks like your getting there
https://passionford.com/forum/restor...17-2-06-a.html
this was still going and only thing changed on it was wheels when i sold it, but the lad scrapped it last month becuasehe broke it and couldnt sell the shell on without contacting me first else i would of bought it back
#36
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
Went to pick up some bits from powder coaters today, quite pleased with the results! Went for a pair of brand new Mk3 Mondeo calipers, so had them done too!
Also spoke to a bodyshop bout paint and think I'm goin with them! Cant get me in tho til may an reckon bout 2 month to get it right so wont be hittin no shows til 2013 I dont think!
But no rush! Want it right
Also spoke to a bodyshop bout paint and think I'm goin with them! Cant get me in tho til may an reckon bout 2 month to get it right so wont be hittin no shows til 2013 I dont think!
But no rush! Want it right
#37
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Makes me want to crack on with my powder coating now! If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for it too be done did you have it shotblasted aswell as i want all mine doing.
Hows doing your car, was it the one i suggested or did you find someonelse?
Hows doing your car, was it the one i suggested or did you find someonelse?
#38
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
I paid £60 for everythin in the pic blasted an powder coated! Couldn't believe how cheap it was! But think my mate knos the lad who does it! It is the people you recommended yeah! So thanks again!! Spoke to him an got a good vibe from him an the price was decent too! But more importantly I feel hes gonna do a top job!
#39
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Thats cheap! I want mine doing and polybushed aswell but might leave it till the tax runs out in sept now and just get some use out of it!
Yeah Dave is a top bloke and the 2 other lads that work there! I very much doubt you'll be dissapointed, i really couldnt fault the job he did for me and he's ALWAYS busy which is a good sign!
Yeah Dave is a top bloke and the 2 other lads that work there! I very much doubt you'll be dissapointed, i really couldnt fault the job he did for me and he's ALWAYS busy which is a good sign!
#40
Regular Contributor
Thread Starter
Quick update!
Not much happened with the car, but a few bits arrived an built me rear drums back up! Probably a bit too early for all this but hey ho! Its done now!
some nice little bits! Cant wait to fit them!
Not much happened with the car, but a few bits arrived an built me rear drums back up! Probably a bit too early for all this but hey ho! Its done now!
some nice little bits! Cant wait to fit them!