1985 Ford Granada Ghia X Estate

[Mr Tidy]

I've posted a couple of times in the earlier days of this thread, but just wanted to thank BV for getting back on here.

Just reading his latest posts has made my day - cheers!

[anonymous-user]

You are too kind! I did have a bit of a strop at myself the other say for having too many machines, and not spending money on fixing up my XJS but instead blowing it on additional heaps of horror (oh, and coke and hookers, natch).

[anonymous-user]

Report from mech who is changing the water pump:-

"5 out of 13 bolts for water pump have sheared, so if ok with you/your friend, I will remove complete front engine timing cover to allow removal of the last 5 sheared bolts. The ones that have broken are impossible to access in situ."

[Mr Tidy]

Breadvan72 said:

Report from mech who is changing the water pump:-

"5 out of 13 bolts for water pump have sheared, so if ok with you/your friend, I will remove complete front engine timing cover to allow removal of the last 5 sheared bolts. The ones that have broken are impossible to access in situ."

Sorry OP, but I've only just noticed this development.

Back in 1987 I had a 1981 2.8i Capri that needed a new water pump and I'm sure there were only 3 bolts holding it on (although 1 did shear, because it wasn't straight - Ford "quality control" at it's best) but I'd be seriously worried to be given the BS you've had.

Time to go elsewhere if at all possible IMHO - but if not maybe it's time to unleash a bit of legal expertise, which ought to work out well for you.

I just find it irritating when alleged "experts" try to take people for a ride.

[anonymous-user]

You are slagging off one of the most skilled and honest and reasonably priced mechanics that I have ever met. I have been using him for almost two years . He transformed my Dolomite Sprint from a troublesome car to a fast and reliable road burner. He has solved every problem that my various wrecks have thrown at him. My last mechanic was a guy called Roy Gillard, who is a legend. Roy has retired. His replacement Mark is as good and maybe even better. In short, you couldn't be more wrong.

[anonymous-user]

I add that you are accusing someone of simply inventing the presence of some non existent bolts based on your thirty year old memory of working on a different car. I will leave it to others to decide who is the bullstter in this scenario.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 23 September 06:23

[SebringMan]

Technically, your mechanic is wrong...




There are 12 bolts. OK, it's a minor detail!

On a serious note it sounds plausible. I also thought the same as Mr Tidy ; most water pumps I have removed only have 3 or 4 bolts holding them on. But those things have loads on!



And a blanking plate for the banger boys:

[Mr Tidy]

OK - so presumably the OPs car has a different set-up, but this is what I changed on my Capri:-

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&a...

Just 3 bolts so my memory isn't failing me, even after 30 years!

But on my search I see there are other installations for Cologne V6s, so I'm happy to admit that I may be (or probably am in this case) wrong!

It's unlike Ford to use more than one installation - back then they usually used one version across the board!

Just makes me glad that the one I had to change was on the Capri, not the Granada or Scorpio!

[anonymous-user]

Here is another report of dishonesty and incompetence from the rip off merchant rubbish mechanic (AKA patient, skilled, and honest expert), whom I am sure would be thrilled by your apology if (a) he read this thread, and (b) you had actually made one.

"I managed to free off the Granada's snapped water pump bolts using my special blowtorch & a bit of patience, so no recoiling required. Have stripped the timing gear casing of paint/rust in a bath of citric acid & will repaint it in time to rebuild before returning. Have 3 new aux belts now, and bought a gasket set with front oil seal set to prevent any oil leaks."

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 25th September 08:14

[Shakermaker]

Breadvan72 said:

Here is another report of dishonesty and incompetence from the rip off merchant rubbish mechanic (AKA patient, skilled, and honest expert), whom I am sure would be thrilled by your apology if (a) he read this thread, and (b) you had actually made one.

"I managed to free off the Granada's snapped water pump bolts using my special blowtorch & a bit of patience, so no recoiling required. Have stripped the timing gear casing of paint/rust in a bath of citric acid & will repaint it in time to rebuild before returning. Have 3 new aux belts now, and bought a gasket set with front oil seal set to prevent any oil leaks."

Edited by Breadvan72 on Monday 25th September 08:14

Sounds like an expensive way to say he spilt his glass of lemonade all over the engine

[anonymous-user]

Yeah, blooming hipster Ocado organic lemonade an' all.

[Mr Tidy]

Breadvan72 said:

Here is another report of dishonesty and incompetence from the rip off merchant rubbish mechanic (AKA patient, skilled, and honest expert), whom I am sure would be thrilled by your apology if (a) he read this thread, and (b) you had actually made one.

"I managed to free off the Granada's snapped water pump bolts using my special blowtorch & a bit of patience, so no recoiling required. Have stripped the timing gear casing of paint/rust in a bath of citric acid & will repaint it in time to rebuild before returning. Have 3 new aux belts now, and bought a gasket set with front oil seal set to prevent any oil leaks."

Edited by Breadvan72 on Monday 25th September 08:14

Firstly I must say I enjoy reading all of your posts OP - thanks for sharing them!

So I'm sorry - I was wrong!

I hope that works better.

[anonymous-user]

It does. Hugz 'n' shiz.

[JakeT]

What a conman. Oil leaks mean that there's still oil in the engine!

Of course, I joke. Sounds like a great job all round.

[anonymous-user]

FPWM.

[Shakermaker]

JakeT said:

What a conman. Oil leaks mean that there's still oil in the engine!

Of course, I joke. Sounds like a great job all round.

That's on Land Rovers, surely?

OP - I saw my "local" Granada estate this morning. Something just right about the way they look, even compared to the saloons.

[tog]

Breadvan72 said:

The ergonomics are dire - dials and buttons just flung about the place (a la Bristol). The steering wheel is surprisingly cheapo. The modernish stereo is appalling. There are some period ones on the Bay at present, but MANYS SPENNER.

Is the four-way joystick speaker control still connected? Great idea, though obviously I never had all four speakers working at any one time on my student-era car. Mine got p/xed for a P6 Rover I still have. I saw it a few times locally after I sold it, but it died on the banger track I believe.

[Kitchski]

You don't look too far away from me and my old crocks. I'll keep an eye out for it!

[anonymous-user]

I think that the speaker joystick works but haven't checked for a while. The car isn't moving around much at present.

[99PBATR]

A cracking good read this. Nice to read a thread which isn't about someone poncing about in a Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo..blah blah blah...Instead a good ld Granny. My dad had a Mk2 Cortina, which I think was eaten from the inside out by the dreaded Dagenham metal death but it looked great. My ex-father in law had one of the proper shape Granada Scorpio's with the 2.9 lump...what a motor...looked and sounded amazing, until Ford replaced it with that Locust excuse for the last Granada (what the hell were they smoking to come up with that?)

I believe John Culshaw is somewhat of a Ford Cortina and Granny aficionado and harbours several restored classic examples in his lair up Manchester way...good on him. Still amazes me what some old Ford's go for now. There was an RS500 recently sold for over a 100k....the geex=zer that bought that obviously was on crack. I know they were pretty nice but 100k