Project what have I done now......

[Cscameron]

As most of you know the ASBO that is Flos is now a full bridgeport turbocharged monster few little bits of fettling to do cosmetically, handbrake and possibly rear calipers to sort. The plan now is to go with a haltec ECU as the OEM one simply can't cope with what I want to do currently out of stock so will be in and tuned at some point early next year

I blew the TT up in the summer and as I didn't ever really gel with it decided the scrap yard was the best place for it. Replaced it with a Skoda Octavia Estate which is the most boring car I've ever owned but just about fits all 3 dogs in and is useful for car parts transportation

So what do I do now?!

Something maybe a bit mad obviously

I got myself a new project!

One of the lads at work bought a car for not even scrap value from a freind. He's a Ford man and currently has an engine swapped Fiesta project and a full restoration of an Escort on the go. I spotted her and that was it. Was always on the list and for some stupid reason i instantly fell in love. So for the pricely sum of re-webbing the belts on the Escort I got a new headache

She's a 2002 1.8 vvt 5 speed, or would be if the engine wasn't dead

At some point she's been scraped along a wall so the NS door is knackered and door mirror is missing. Front bumper is sort of held together with cable ties. Engine knocking and sump is full of fuel. After a cylinder leak off test discovered the piston rings are shot so new engine required, after swearing I'd never do another engine swap Rear springs are both gloriously broken. Exhaust is shot. Roof has sooooo many holes it may aswell not be there. Interior is unpleasant to put it mildly. All 4 tyres are shot and 2 alloys are bent, although the spare is good so small win

Then there's the tin worm

All on one side. Off side is pretty much perfect. I didn't get a photo of the gaping great hole in the wheel well (can get into the boot through it or under the battery. Not 100% sure how it hadn't fallen through. Apart from the suspension under the car is solid however

I will be doing all the fabricating/welding/paint prep etc myself (under adult supervision), engine swap - like for like for now - possibly farming out to my favourite master tech (I'm lucky he loves me ) coilovers, then it'll be full wide body kit, painting her a ridiculous colour and picking a new set of wheels. Hoping to get her on the road in the spring

So there we have it. My latest ridiculous idea. Stay tuned folks

[Cscameron]

Only have a couple of free hours a week at the minute so it's gonna be a long process

Slowly slowly.....

[Cscameron]

Little bit more achieved today. Inner sill's solid just a bit of surface rust

[Conan]

Yes girl what have you done now !!!
You certainly like making things hard for yourself
A friend of mine makes roll cages for those
You may need one
Pete

[Cscameron]

This is not a track car. It will be all show and no go I'm even looking at 17" wheels so she doesn't handle well to stop me being tempted at least thats the theory. We shall see how long before I change my mind

[Cscameron]

Few weeks later and she's all chopped up, rust removed and ready to reassemble

First 'panel' fabricated

Time to learn to weld

Not bad for 20 minutes with a little gasless mig

Reassembly commences tomorrow!

[350matt]

double check your earth clip is onto bright clean metal and try more amps if you have them, as that spatter points to not enough current

[qwakers]

its gasless, gasless has loads of spatter due to the lack of shielding gas and the slag.

but yes, that wants to be a touch hotter.

christine, bring it down here and ill teach you how to weld it up and let you use some decent gear no charge (if i can film it for the youtubes )

[Cscameron]

They let me play with the big welder today

Then took it off me to give me a quick lesson and took over altogether

First panel is in and 2nd panel cut

[350matt]

was the 'big welder' a full gas mig ?

I have to say I recently upgraded to new combination welder, MIG, TIG and arc
one of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DKC1R7Y6? ... itle&th=1
and I was astonished as to how good it was over my old Clarke 130mig, the arc is very 'smooth' and its very easy to get a high quality weld

[Cscameron]

Big welder is a 20+ year old gas combi welder. As usual I made a start and was them ejected

2nd panel now in and everything cleaned up. Sill is drilled ready to go on tomorrow

[qwakers]

respectfully madam secretary, i do hope that's all your welding (in which case not bad for a first go) and not the pro's work... both pictures....

[Cscameron]

Yes thats mine how did you know?

Quite probably the reason (along with the amount of time it took) that i was given the sack. Won't be able to see any of it which is why i did that bit. All solid and cleaned up fine with the belt sander though

[Cscameron]

I've been at home with Eibhlin for just over a week as she's got Scarlet fever, had a reaction to the penicillin and is only just starting to get back to being her hyper little self my son was on babysitting duty today so I could go into work

Quiet day so managed to get the sill in!!!

Next job is cutting out and patching up this

And it continues.....

[Cscameron]

Bit more cutting out to assess/prep/template the rear well and arch. It's worse than it looks