Fiesta RS Turbo Restoration
Discussion
Hi
This is my first Post. I joined an RS Owners Club last month and the response has been non-existant.... I also belong to a TVR Owners Club and that is superb; hopefully PH will be the same!
Im interested to know if you guys (and girls) would be interested in following the full restoration of a Fiesta RS Turbo; if so I will do daily updates with pictures?
I purchased the Fiesta a few months ago and its black. It has just 65k on the clock but the bodywork was a bit crap in places and the engine a little rattly so I decided to fully restore it.
I began about a month ago and stripped of the body kit and bumpers to identify which panels would need replacing. It will need 2 front wings (possible inners as well), complete front section and cross member, a complete new rear section and last but not least a complete new rear quater panel.
I then began stripping parts for refurbishment and so far have done all the suspension, rear axel and brakes. At the moment it looks in a very bad way.....
I want advice and tips from all you guys in the know...
Is a colour change going to cost more? The doors and boot etc will all be of for a respray anyway and have decided I want it Red.
The bottom end of the engine needs a rebuild; is it more cost effective to change the whole engine?
I hope to hear and I will add all the pics once I guage the interest
Many thanks
This is my first Post. I joined an RS Owners Club last month and the response has been non-existant.... I also belong to a TVR Owners Club and that is superb; hopefully PH will be the same!
Im interested to know if you guys (and girls) would be interested in following the full restoration of a Fiesta RS Turbo; if so I will do daily updates with pictures?
I purchased the Fiesta a few months ago and its black. It has just 65k on the clock but the bodywork was a bit crap in places and the engine a little rattly so I decided to fully restore it.
I began about a month ago and stripped of the body kit and bumpers to identify which panels would need replacing. It will need 2 front wings (possible inners as well), complete front section and cross member, a complete new rear section and last but not least a complete new rear quater panel.
I then began stripping parts for refurbishment and so far have done all the suspension, rear axel and brakes. At the moment it looks in a very bad way.....
I want advice and tips from all you guys in the know...
Is a colour change going to cost more? The doors and boot etc will all be of for a respray anyway and have decided I want it Red.
The bottom end of the engine needs a rebuild; is it more cost effective to change the whole engine?
I hope to hear and I will add all the pics once I guage the interest
Many thanks
Hi
I see what your saying; I will give the colour change a rethink. What your all missing the point on through is Im not doing this to make money on. I wont be selling it after spending hundreds of hours on it...
Today I wanted to begin removing all the underseal from the floor. Oh boy what a task this is going to be. I have tried so many ways and none really touch the rubber. I tried a heat lamp, a drill attachment and so on. Im going to have to use a blow torch tomorrow and try and burn it all of.
Any one else removed it easily? Its a couple millimeters thick...
Cheers
I see what your saying; I will give the colour change a rethink. What your all missing the point on through is Im not doing this to make money on. I wont be selling it after spending hundreds of hours on it...
Today I wanted to begin removing all the underseal from the floor. Oh boy what a task this is going to be. I have tried so many ways and none really touch the rubber. I tried a heat lamp, a drill attachment and so on. Im going to have to use a blow torch tomorrow and try and burn it all of.
Any one else removed it easily? Its a couple millimeters thick...
Cheers
Hi
Well spent all day with a blow torch, scrapers and wire brushes and have just about done the passenger side.
I am going to try to add the pictures now.
Back bumper removed unfortunately revealing this.....
First attemp at adding a picture so if this works will add loads more as a complete update to where Im at....
Well spent all day with a blow torch, scrapers and wire brushes and have just about done the passenger side.
I am going to try to add the pictures now.
Back bumper removed unfortunately revealing this.....
First attemp at adding a picture so if this works will add loads more as a complete update to where Im at....
Ok that was easy...
Well I began about 3 weeks ago. First few pics are looking around the car and the horrors that are the rust......
It was to late now; I had started so on I went and began stripping....
Rear axel and suspension out...
Next will be refurbished rear axel and suspension.....
Well I began about 3 weeks ago. First few pics are looking around the car and the horrors that are the rust......
It was to late now; I had started so on I went and began stripping....
Rear axel and suspension out...
Next will be refurbished rear axel and suspension.....
|http://thumbsnap.com/v/sGKK42He.jpg[/url]
Now were upto date!
Today as I mentioned I have been removing underseal. What anyone tells you this is not easy; there is no quick and easy way unless you have the car dipped/shell sent for blasting. Chemicals will only soften the top coat of the underseal and will not touch the rubber base. I spoke with a few restores and all agree that the only way is hard graft! I tried a heat gun and it only worked slowly....very slowly. After speaking with my car body guy he said the only way forward for me was with a blow torch. I spent 6-8 hours today just doing the passenger side.....
First you soften it and scrape it off and then heat it (burn it) some more and use a wire brush on it.
First pic is of the drivers side. It all looked like this; if not worse.
After many hours it looked worse than before I started:
After more hours were getting there!! Passenger side nearly done !!! Look at the lovely metal!
THATS IT! Were up to date!
Can I PLEASE have all your feedback; Good or bad!!
I need motivation and I need to know how I doing!
The bodyshop guy called in today and was impressed with the fuel tank and suspension so that was good news but YOU guys are the experts!!
Today as I mentioned I have been removing underseal. What anyone tells you this is not easy; there is no quick and easy way unless you have the car dipped/shell sent for blasting. Chemicals will only soften the top coat of the underseal and will not touch the rubber base. I spoke with a few restores and all agree that the only way is hard graft! I tried a heat gun and it only worked slowly....very slowly. After speaking with my car body guy he said the only way forward for me was with a blow torch. I spent 6-8 hours today just doing the passenger side.....
First you soften it and scrape it off and then heat it (burn it) some more and use a wire brush on it.
First pic is of the drivers side. It all looked like this; if not worse.
After many hours it looked worse than before I started:
After more hours were getting there!! Passenger side nearly done !!! Look at the lovely metal!
THATS IT! Were up to date!
Can I PLEASE have all your feedback; Good or bad!!
I need motivation and I need to know how I doing!
The bodyshop guy called in today and was impressed with the fuel tank and suspension so that was good news but YOU guys are the experts!!
Hi
Thanks for all of your comments. I had a quick look at that restoration on the passion ford website. Anyone could take a car to a garage and say 'restore it'. It looks like this is what that person did; hence it cost a small fortune. If you are paying a garage and bodyshop to restore a car like this then you have got to be looking at the £10,000 mark. I know of a guy that spent £12,000 on an escort and that did not include engine work.
My project is very different. Im trying to do as much of the work as I can myself; using the web and the manuals. When it comes to the welding and painting I will be doing all the prep work myself inc sanding and stripping to keep the costs down.
I am constanly on the hunt for new but Genuine panles and lucklily purchased a brand new front panel through e-bay yesterday for under £30 delivered!
I also noticed that the other fiesta was in a terrible state once panels had been removed. Luckily mine is no where near that bad.
I have never taken an engine out or worked on an engine before yet this time I will be and learning as I go. This is why I need all the advice from you guys as I can.
When the car is finished I will be able to drive it knowing that I restored it and not someone else.
Back to the restoration.....
The last week has just been spent removing the underseal from the drivers side of the car and trying to clean up the transmission tunnel and hard to access areas under the car.
Its hard work but Im making progress.
I will be renting a garage shortly when Im ready to remove the engine and gear box.
Pics of floor so far:![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/y8aYb24C.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/v/5HYnpPDi.jpg" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/5HYnpPDi.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/v/BGVwrsCk.jpg" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/BGVwrsCk.jpg)
Thanks for all of your comments. I had a quick look at that restoration on the passion ford website. Anyone could take a car to a garage and say 'restore it'. It looks like this is what that person did; hence it cost a small fortune. If you are paying a garage and bodyshop to restore a car like this then you have got to be looking at the £10,000 mark. I know of a guy that spent £12,000 on an escort and that did not include engine work.
My project is very different. Im trying to do as much of the work as I can myself; using the web and the manuals. When it comes to the welding and painting I will be doing all the prep work myself inc sanding and stripping to keep the costs down.
I am constanly on the hunt for new but Genuine panles and lucklily purchased a brand new front panel through e-bay yesterday for under £30 delivered!
I also noticed that the other fiesta was in a terrible state once panels had been removed. Luckily mine is no where near that bad.
I have never taken an engine out or worked on an engine before yet this time I will be and learning as I go. This is why I need all the advice from you guys as I can.
When the car is finished I will be able to drive it knowing that I restored it and not someone else.
Back to the restoration.....
The last week has just been spent removing the underseal from the drivers side of the car and trying to clean up the transmission tunnel and hard to access areas under the car.
Its hard work but Im making progress.
I will be renting a garage shortly when Im ready to remove the engine and gear box.
Pics of floor so far:
Hi
I not sure why those pictures did not come out; i will add them again later if they dont appear.
At the moment Im going down the standard route for everything as I belive this is the best way to learn. If when ist finished I get bored perhaps then I will have a go at modifying the engine and so forth.
I will use it when it is finished but once a week go over it to keep ot in good order!
I not sure why those pictures did not come out; i will add them again later if they dont appear.
At the moment Im going down the standard route for everything as I belive this is the best way to learn. If when ist finished I get bored perhaps then I will have a go at modifying the engine and so forth.
I will use it when it is finished but once a week go over it to keep ot in good order!
As you can see the floor is pretty clean and free from underseal now. There is a section on the drivers footwell that needs a plate welded in. Over the weekend I will be removing all the underseal from the 4 wheel arches.
After that It will be time to find a garage, remove engine and gear box, strip the car and send for welding.
What colour do you think would be best to paint the floor?
After that It will be time to find a garage, remove engine and gear box, strip the car and send for welding.
What colour do you think would be best to paint the floor?
Started removing underseal from the wheel arches today. I hoped this would be a lot easier than the floor. It's still very tricky as there are lot of difficult area to get to. I think it would take a whole morning to do one arch properly. Once I get the first one done I post a picture.
What would be your advice on the engine?
It has only done 60,000 miles but has a slight bottom end rattle. Do I rebuid this one or buy a recently refurbished one and simply swap them over?
Cheers
What would be your advice on the engine?
It has only done 60,000 miles but has a slight bottom end rattle. Do I rebuid this one or buy a recently refurbished one and simply swap them over?
Cheers
Hi
In a couple of weeks it will be time to remove the engine and gear box. This is necessary for the paint work to be completed and I have a freshly rebuilt engine ready to go in.
My problem is I dont own an engine hoist and stand.
Im based in Twickenham, Middlesex; does anyone know where I could hire/borrow one? It seems really silly me buying the two bits of kit when I only need them the once.
Many thanks
Paul
In a couple of weeks it will be time to remove the engine and gear box. This is necessary for the paint work to be completed and I have a freshly rebuilt engine ready to go in.
My problem is I dont own an engine hoist and stand.
Im based in Twickenham, Middlesex; does anyone know where I could hire/borrow one? It seems really silly me buying the two bits of kit when I only need them the once.
Many thanks
Paul
Hi
Just to keep you all updated I have been away for a week and have been generally busy so not been able to crack on all that much.
I have been removing the underseal from the rear arches which is hard work. Both are now just about done. I will add pics later. Now I must crack on and start to remove the underseal from the boot floor and rear chassis leg area.
Cheers
Just to keep you all updated I have been away for a week and have been generally busy so not been able to crack on all that much.
I have been removing the underseal from the rear arches which is hard work. Both are now just about done. I will add pics later. Now I must crack on and start to remove the underseal from the boot floor and rear chassis leg area.
Cheers
Update................(At long last)
Im sure many of you were beginning to think this project was not moving forward; think again.
A couple months ago I decided to rent a garage locally where I could store and work on the Fiesta. This meant putting the refurbished rear axel and suspension back together to make the car roll.
Since it has been in the garage I have removed the bonnet, the engine and gear box and all other components from the engine bay including brake servo and master cylinder, rad, all bottles pipes and hoses.
Just this weekend I removed the bootlid and the rear quater glass and interior rear trim.
Next will be removing the glass from the doors and all door cards and internal components.
I still have to remove some more underseal from the front inner wings and give the engine bay a really good clean and degrease. After it is all stripped it will be off to the body shop to get all the rotten panles cut out and the new panels welded in.
I will take some pictures later and try and post them tonight.
Im sure many of you were beginning to think this project was not moving forward; think again.
A couple months ago I decided to rent a garage locally where I could store and work on the Fiesta. This meant putting the refurbished rear axel and suspension back together to make the car roll.
Since it has been in the garage I have removed the bonnet, the engine and gear box and all other components from the engine bay including brake servo and master cylinder, rad, all bottles pipes and hoses.
Just this weekend I removed the bootlid and the rear quater glass and interior rear trim.
Next will be removing the glass from the doors and all door cards and internal components.
I still have to remove some more underseal from the front inner wings and give the engine bay a really good clean and degrease. After it is all stripped it will be off to the body shop to get all the rotten panles cut out and the new panels welded in.
I will take some pictures later and try and post them tonight.
Hi
Been working on the Fiesta. Have a look through the pics and let me know what you think. Today I have refurbished the exterior of the gear box. 99% of the interior is out and all is in great condition now having been washed including the headlining.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Zpw2by2v.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/v/xOrckGR1.jpg" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/xOrckGR1.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/v/AixocYCm.jpg" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/AixocYCm.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/v/fMwjYC3v.jpg" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/fMwjYC3v.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/v/8vb9cq73.jpg" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/8vb9cq73.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/v/kRTuapJb.jpg" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/kRTuapJb.jpg)
The engine is on the stand and is a fully rebuilt unit.
The gearbox looked in a right state but after a few hours removing grease and oil and prepeartion the results are there to be seen:
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/fzL2KDXk.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/v/63Zr7Wsp.jpg" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/63Zr7Wsp.jpg)
Look foward to your comments.
Been working on the Fiesta. Have a look through the pics and let me know what you think. Today I have refurbished the exterior of the gear box. 99% of the interior is out and all is in great condition now having been washed including the headlining.
The engine is on the stand and is a fully rebuilt unit.
The gearbox looked in a right state but after a few hours removing grease and oil and prepeartion the results are there to be seen:
Look foward to your comments.
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