My Mk2 Orion zetec turbo

[Slammedorion]

A few from the other weekend @ Oulton Park Gold Cup... just to keep the thread up to date







Was hoping to do a few more cars & coffee meets, a map tweak, maybe even fit a few parts that are sat in the garage... but that's another show season almost gone... time to sorn end of the month
Even more so now I'm in next week for a cancellation inguinal hernia operation... hopefully be back on the mend soon enough and back to 100% fitness ready for next year
Retroford Magazine feature due soon, will update when I know it's due out

[Poynter87]

Very nice car it looks very clean and tidy. I'm guessing all is good with bonnet cable as when I fit my manifold to my mk1 focus rs I'm worried about melting the wiring that runs in a similar position to your cable.

[Slammedorion]

All has been good since the remedial work was done
I'm tempted to have something custom made though, maybe have the outer sleeving across the slam panel changed for metal, as the issue was the plastic casing melting causing the cable to stick

Been advised to contact these

http://www.speedycables.com/m.index.html

May just buy another new cable and send it them to mod
As said it's been fine but if I can totally eliminate the risk even better

Edited by Slammedorion on Friday 8th September 23:36

[Slammedorion]

Just because its not a RS, doesn't mean I can't buy nos genuine parts does it...

Purchase number 1... 1x Nos NS Carello headlight with original box - cheap aswell, just £35 plus postage



No problem just need the other side... not available from Ford... I checked with our local parts guy
Even got our Orion Register Ford parts guy on it... but his computer said no
Me being anti FB just said if you see owt let me know
A week ago getting late on he text me a link to one just put on eBay
A week of watching

And this evening

Purchase number 2... 1x Nos OS Carello headlight with original box - errrrrm, I needed it/ wanted it lol



Slight issue is seller won't post... but after a couple of texts to Orion Register members in that area and collection and postage is in hand...

[Slammedorion]

Back home from Op

Few bits to read - time to rest up

[Slammedorion]

Still taking things easy here, slowly on the mend



Took delivery of the Nos Os headlight today
Massive thank you to Mark C again off Orion Register for collecting and adding packaging so it was kept safe once in couriers hands

Edited by Slammedorion on Thursday 21st September 14:40

[oobster]

Whats the reason for changing the headlights? Originals starting to go cloudy/deteriorate?

[Slammedorion]

oobster said:

Whats the reason for changing the headlights? Originals starting to go cloudy/deteriorate?

There pattern parts and one steams up slightly
I got the ns headlight for £35
So thought I'd source a os headlight ( rarer to find )
Genuine parts look nicer too and are only gonna become harder to find
Plus I haven't really spent much on it this year, that was my justification to the wife anyway...

[oobster]

It's always good to be inventive when making up reasons to explain spending to the Mrs isn't it!

Great car OP, I remember when these were a common sight on the roads, nice to see one being kept in such good condition & being used.

[Slammedorion]

Washed the dust off quickly and put away for winter
Tyres blown up to 42psi to help reduce the flat spots while it’s sat

[dandam]

Any plans for the Orion over winter ?

[Slammedorion]

dandam said:

Any plans for the Orion over winter ?

Loads... what gets done is another thing unfortunately
Still off work atm recovering from the hernia op atm
Just washing it was a job lol

I’d like to change the rear Floflex for Powerflex as I’m just not happy with the rear end
This time I’d like to start sending parts for powder coating rather than painting stuff

I’ve bought some nos switches, there a easy swap for no real reason lol

The nos headlights want fitting

A stud and nut conversion and look into fitting the Focus RS Brembos I’ve had here for soooo long

Mapper wants a change of idle valve before a remap/ more boost

Need to change the cambelt while it’s off the road over winter...

Ideally need to get alittle boot space back so I can carry a buggy alittle easier

Edited by Slammedorion on Sunday 15th October 22:47

[J4CKO]

Great to see an Orion, cant remember last time I saw one, they were everywhere and disappeared, looks really smart yours.

[Slammedorion]

J4CKO said:

Great to see an Orion, cant remember last time I saw one, they were everywhere and disappeared, looks really smart yours.

Thanks...
Had so many over the years... bought my first one back in 1998 when I was 16 to do up... passed my test in 1999 @ 17 and drove it round was a Mk2 Orion 1600 ghia D552 BLM, not a bad first car, and had many since...

Edited by Slammedorion on Monday 16th October 07:20

[dandam]

I've had my golf sat in the garage for three years waiting to spend some time on it, unfortunately three children (especially the three year old who always wants to 'help') means that even getting time to wash cars is very limited - so good luck !

[Slammedorion]

dandam said:

I've had my golf sat in the garage for three years waiting to spend some time on it, unfortunately three children (especially the three year old who always wants to 'help') means that even getting time to wash cars is very limited - so good luck !

Three kids!!! That poor Golf lol
Just one here, she’s 2 1/2... she does try to help.

[SuperVM]

Slammedorion said:

Loads... what gets done is another thing unfortunately
Still off work atm recovering from the hernia op atm
Just washing it was a job lol

It looks like you had a proper rupture, not fun

When I had mine, it hadn't come through so they were able to do keyhole surgery and I was only out of action for a few days, though I didn't feel quite right for about six months.

[Slammedorion]

SuperVM said:

It looks like you had a proper rupture, not fun

When I had mine, it hadn't come through so they were able to do keyhole surgery and I was only out of action for a few days, though I didn't feel quite right for about six months.

Was a inguinal hernia, there’s a better success rate of a repair with a proper cut...
On the mend now hopefully don’t need doing again

[Slammedorion]

Didn’t expect to have any spare time or feel up to working on the Orion anytime soon...
But managed to pull it out from hibernation and play around the thermostats plus flush the coolant system :top:
Pulled the original one out ( no markings on it unfortunately so not sure what temp stat it was, can only presume standard 88-92 deg? )
Replacements I’d ordered via eBay were

A original Ford item a 82 deg stat

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

And a Mlr 74 deg stat

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

The 74 deg stat with a slimmer seal has fitted perfect with no trimming
The difference in warm up and fans kicking in seems positive too
Top hose is warm with the temp gauge less than half way up
And the fans are kicking in lower down ( between 1/2-3/4 ) which is great news





Even had time for a quick wash

Edited by Slammedorion on Saturday 23 December 20:46

[Slammedorion]