harold
Just getting started
Posts: 8 
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Post by harold on Jan 6, 2023 17:06:57 GMT
I'm Harry and this is my first foray into kit car ownership. I found this car on Facebook marketplace local and I thought I'd give it a shot. I've always been interested in a fibreglass bodied car and the idea of being able to self build a car has always interested me. I own a small fleet of cars from the USSR and Russia so this is a real change of scene. It's your standard Cortina based job however the engine is a BMC 2.2 Litre mated to a currently unknown gearbox. The engine is the same on FX4 Taxis, Austin Gipsies and go under the 'commander' name when used on shite old boats. It smokes like a warship at the moment and it can't be persuaded into reverse gear all of a sudden. From piecing together paperwork I have it was built at Loughbrough University and registered in 1989. Then it ended up with a horse enthusiast to pull a horse box (mobile horsemeat smoker given the current state of what is coming out of the exhaust). It then went to a beach enthusiast who used it to fulfil his Californain dreams in Exmouth who treated it to a new injection pump, a stupid air cleaner (with no regards for crankcase ventilation) a lift pump and I think a newish set of front calipers. Last moted a few years ago its been sat languishing since letting in rainwater from a broken rear hatch. The wiring is an incredibly meticulous job, most wires have been labelled with wraps but some of the circuit design appears to be quite esoteric. However British weather and it's age hasn't done it any favours and some of it in the drivers cabin has rotted. The glowplug relay is not up to task. Most of the circuits work aside from the headlights and the hazard warning flashers. My plan would be to piecemeal replace the corroded wire to get it up for MOT standards and when I get a nice chunk of holiday to rewire it. Some bits like gauges have been cribbed from a Landrover. My first job is to find out why reverse has decided to throw in the towel. Drain and give it some fuel that isn't older than me and work out if it has the right grade of oil in the engine. Electrics I can take at my leisure as it is my day job anyway. Hopefully I can share my slow journey I'm about to undertake with this forum and be rewarded with useful advice. Below are some pictures.    |
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harold
Just getting started
Posts: 8
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Post by harold on Jan 6, 2023 17:41:50 GMT
Update. Reverse is working. I had to lift it over the 'gate'.
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Post by chrisbailey on Jan 6, 2023 19:17:23 GMT
Welcome to the forum
Looks like a solid car to start a project on.
Sounds like you have a good mindset of fixing it as necessary rather than complete redesign. Thats where most including myself went wrong.
Lots of random info on this forum. Look forward to seeing your build dairy.
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harold
Just getting started
Posts: 8
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Post by harold on Jan 6, 2023 22:21:20 GMT
Hi.
Yes. I think I've found a good'n. So far at least.
First question.
There's a puddle of water in the footwells. I've never worked with a fibreglass car before. Will fibreglass allow me to drill a few drain holes?
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Post by biggles1 on Jan 6, 2023 22:48:48 GMT
Welcome! Yes, you should be able to drill a couple of holes, but just check underneath first, incase there's a brake pipe or electrical cable in the way.
John.
EDIT! I'm pretty sure I owned this car, sometime back. I bought it with the intention of fitting a Pinto automatic engine and box, but the cortina turned out to be far too good to break. The cortina was sold and I then had no use for the RV. I sold it to someone in North Norfolk.
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harold
Just getting started
Posts: 8
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Post by harold on Jan 6, 2023 23:45:39 GMT
Holy cow it's a small world! Please tell me why the headlights don't work.
I'm excited to get stuck in.
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Graham Wood
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User name = RAM
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Location, Town please: Southport, U.K.
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Post by Graham Wood on Jan 7, 2023 3:13:58 GMT
I seem to remember the for sale add ( one of them ) said it had a BMC gear box -- if this helps you.
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harold
Just getting started
Posts: 8
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Post by harold on Jan 7, 2023 11:25:49 GMT
What Mk cortinas are these cars based off?
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Graham Wood
E.O.C. Chairman
Webmaster
User name = RAM
Posts: 588
Location, Town please: Southport, U.K.
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Post by Graham Wood on Jan 7, 2023 12:20:35 GMT
What Mk cortinas are these cars based off? Ford Cortina Mk 3 & 4 -- and possibly Mk 5-- :: Also. but rare, Ford Sierra donor.
We will assume you have ford rear axle. and ford front suspension ? ?
Cortina TC Mark III
Cortina Mk IV ---.>>>>
suggestion.
Rather than have an old ( needing a rebuild ) engine in it -- try to get a Ford cortina Pinto engine ( 2L ) and gearbox, and rebuild the engine. ( Cortina propshaft will be needed, and to be shortened - don't forget to have NEW U.J's fitted. ) --- A much more saleable and powerful item when you come to sell. |
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Post by biggles1 on Jan 7, 2023 22:56:45 GMT
Holy cow it's a small world! Please tell me why the headlights don't work. I'm excited to get stuck in.  , Harold. As far as I can remember, they worked fine when I sold it. The buyer drove it away in the dark. John. |
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harold
Just getting started
Posts: 8
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Post by harold on Jan 8, 2023 18:57:42 GMT
What Mk cortinas are these cars based off? Ford Cortina Mk 3 & 4 -- and possibly Mk 5-- :: Also. but rare, Ford Sierra donor.
We will assume you have ford rear axle. and ford front suspension ? ?
Cortina TC Mark III
Cortina Mk IV ---.>>>>
suggestion.
Rather than have an old ( needing a rebuild ) engine in it -- try to get a Ford cortina Pinto engine ( 2L ) and gearbox, and rebuild the engine. ( Cortina propshaft will be needed, and to be shortened - don't forget to have NEW U.J's fitted. ) --- A much more saleable and powerful item when you come to sell. Thanks for the information with the Fords. With regards to the Engine I'm going to persevere to get it running correctly. If it does end up that it is un-salvageable I'll certainly consider those options and I'll be shooting a message to you guys for advice. |
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harold
Just getting started
Posts: 8
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Post by harold on Jan 8, 2023 19:38:33 GMT
Ok. Quick update. After tinkering with it today I've located an air leak from one of the injectors. I don't think the olive was seated correctly where the high pressure pipe screws onto the injector. I bled the system and the very rough idle is now just a rough idle. There are still a air leak from the transfer pump end (I think a union, pinhole or a line going hard). The engine is currently putting out a lot of blue smoke from the exhaust. To the point where it contaminated the standing water on my driveway. The picture does not to it justice. This thing is making clouds and clouds of it. It does it when it's cold or warm. With an increase in revs it choofs out more blue smoke.  I try to stay away from the diesel landrovers at my job. However I'm starting to think: The car has been sitting dormant for a while, it's ancient and the milage is probably massive but it does look like its been well looked after. The blue smoke makes me think that the the piston rings might just be gummed up. It's possible the rings are gummed up rather than worn out so I'd like to explore that first. So my plan is to remove the injectors, see how ancient they are, and then fill the bores with seafoam and see if that will de-gunge the rings over a week. To my knowledge it's the two bolts on either side of the injector, yank it out and retain the sealing ring.  The current oil in it is SAE 30. I think that the engine is old and floppy like a wizards' sleeve it would benefit from a multigrade 20w/50 mineral. This seems very popular with the diesel boat crew in BMC engines I think this engine is pretty cool. It would be nice to save it. This is my 3rd foray into diesel ownership but the fist time I've tinkered with something so old. Any ideas/comments? Thanks for all the comments so far. |
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Graham Wood
E.O.C. Chairman
Webmaster
User name = RAM
Posts: 588
Location, Town please: Southport, U.K.
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Post by Graham Wood on Jan 8, 2023 23:54:08 GMT
The engine is currently putting out a lot of blue smoke from the exhaust. To the point where it contaminated the standing water on my driveway. The picture does not to it justice. This thing is making clouds and clouds of it. It does it when it's cold or warm. With an increase in revs it choofs out more blue smoke. The car has been sitting dormant for a while, it's ancient and the milage is probably massive Any ideas/comments? Thanks for all the comments so far.
Your engine NEEDS a strip down. and clear the ring groves with a broken ring, and fit new piston rings all round. AND grind in the inlet and exhaust valves also.
Seafoam dislodges carbon deposits, and where do those go -- they go out the exhaust valve, and possibly get trapped on the seats,
Sounds like you HAVE broken piston rings. Etc.
But up to you how you fix your problem. Ask yourself, do you want a reliable engine, or a worn out engine that may break more piston rings, and you are back to square one.
I dismantled my ( original donor car ) ford 2L engine with no signs of smoke or anything else, and replaced everything. Rings, oil seals, head job, big end and main bearing shells, ( all standard ) and it's only done 6000 on all those. It's what you do, to have a reliable engine.
Diesel oil 20/50 should be ok for your engine, and contains zinc, which your engine needs.
Info, and I'm not shouting at you. Just giving you my opinion on your best strategy for your engine, for long life and future fun.
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harold
Just getting started
Posts: 8
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Post by harold on Jan 9, 2023 22:07:23 GMT
Oh I don't disagree.
However I'm going to give this method a go as it excites the eternal bodger in me. Also I'm currently compiling a list of BMC parts I'll nead to at least to the piston rings/new headgasket ect/valve stems ect.
Can I see a picture of how a ford engine would mount onto the Eagle chassis?
Thanks.
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Post by pedro on Jan 10, 2023 12:26:48 GMT
Hi Harold, I am following your project with interest, as i prefer a diesel. I'm intending to fit a diesel engine to my RV (1.8 focus td) I'm still trying to get my head around mating it to a 4 speed auto sierra box tho 😅😅
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Post by titch on Jan 18, 2023 20:25:21 GMT
Well i do think you have a nice straight RV there Harold, the engine looks tidy.. maybe well worth an overhaul of it??
Titch
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, Harold. As far as I can remember, they worked fine when I sold it.
