Bit of an odd question this but given as im not very able bodied at the mo..what sort of time scale would i be looking at to do a full major service to my old 1.4cvh?)mk4 escort)

The engines turned 135k so is due the usual, belts, thermosat, filter plugs etc..also looking at repalcing the headgasket and valve stem seals to make it all tight again.

Im reasonabley handy with the spanners and have all the usual books (haynes etc) and doing this to avoid garage costs.

So if anyone has any pointers or tricks feel free to share

If you are having no HG issues I wouldn't bother taking the head off, not just for the sake of it.
Should be able to get it all done in around 3-4 hours easy, with a timing belt change, plus the other bits.
tabetha

Its starting to show signs of mayo in the filler cap so im airing on the side of caution as the car was parked up for 18months and bar a quick fill of oil n plug clean has had no other work.. There is service history upto 90k but it now seems to be ailing rather rappidly

It's most likely been run on very short trips with naff oil and never really got hot enough, new stat is a good idea, I wouldn't be taking the head of based on this, I'd put some wynns engine flush through for 200 miles first, not the 10 minutes idling like wynns say, I always do this prior to every oil change, my cossie is on 180,000+ miles on bottom end, ace compression performance, but oil rings starting to go now.
tabetha

Put engine flush through a 135k mileage CVH engine and you will have problems for ever more.

Oil change with 5w30, run for a day or so and refill with 10w40 (new filter both times) would be better than a flushing additive.

I would just say to change the belt, water pump (runs off the belt), full service items and a set of the modified stem seals is always a good idea. That can be done with the head on.

If you are down Kent way Chris, you could always pop by my place and I'd sort the lot out for you one weekend (especially if you are doing the Kent meet on the cabriolet club in April? )

Cheers for the offer Ian (how ya been btw?). Wont be doing many runs this early on as not keeping to well at the mo..and the car wont make the distance in current health hence the service.

Can stem seals be brought of the self from any motorfactors?..ive seen the removal tools on ebay for a few quid do they actualy work?.

Ive got a new gen ford cambelt to come from ebay so thats 1 less thing are there any recommened gasket kits for the rest or are they pretty much the same

I put flush through my 180,000+ yb lump, always have used the stuff, and many a engine done 200,000 or close on.
tabetha

But a YB ain't a CVH. They don't like it, unless you are very lucky.

Chris, pm me your postcode, I might even be able to take a wander up your way beginning of April and help you out if you are not too far into Northants.