Returning a car to the road after 10 years
Discussion
Going with my mate to see a Sierra XR4x4i tomorrow that's been off the road since around 2010, personally I think it's not worth the hassle but he thinks it's worth taking on. Pics show the floor needs some welding which he's been quoted around £100 for, what else would a car need after 10 years in a garage? I'd guess cambelt, fluids/filters and battery/fuel, anything else?
Rozzers said:
Every bush and hose will be shot, as will the tyres, as I assume it wasn’t all new 10 years ago and probably 20 plus.
Fuel will be, well, not fuel.
Fuel tank likely shot as well.Fuel will be, well, not fuel.
Probably need new brake lines, and if the clutch was more than half worn when last run, there's a good chance it'll be stuck solid.
Can't remember if they are cable or hyd clutch, if hyd, then master cylinder might need replacing as well.
He spoke to the owner who said the car is running after fresh petrol and a new battery and it's driving too for loading purposes. The car has been in a garage for 10 years not outside so the shell isn't in a bad way. His plan is to do a full service, make sure the cambelt looks decent enough to run it to the garage then have them do a pre MOT so he knows everything that needs doing. He's gonna drop it on some BBS splits anyway, seemingly after seeing my CX Safari he thinks he can take the project on, the floor needs some welding but it doesn't look bad at all.
Edited by aaron_2000 on Sunday 4th April 02:10
aaron_2000 said:
He spoke to the owner who said the car is running after fresh petrol and a new battery and it's driving too for loading purposes. The car has been in a garage for 10 years not outside so the shell isn't in a bad way. His plan is to do a full service, make sure the cambelt looks decent enough to run it to the garage then have them do a pre MOT so he knows everything that needs doing. He's gonna drop it on some BBS splits anyway, seemingly after seeing my CX Safari he thinks he can take the project on, the floor needs some welding but it doesn't look bad at all.
This doesn't look promising - just read the post "finlo" made earlier! Edited by aaron_2000 on Sunday 4th April 02:10
"drop it on some BBS splits" - why would you, unless you want instant depreciation?!
If the price is right it obviously is worth the hassle, presumably XRs go for silly money like most fast Fords. If he's buying for 90% of the good condition price then it may not be worth it if he want's to make a quick buck but could still make sense if he wants one and they aren't easy to find.
I'm not sure what the point is of a pre-MOT, just have an MOT! Lots of places do them at less than the max price - mine was £35 last week.
Also, it's a good guide but doesn't necessarily tell you "everything that needs doing" - lots of things aren't MOTd. the brakes might work now but seals fail the next time they are used very hard, non structural rust isn't a fail. It's a good guide, but only tests the things on the list to be tested.
Edit - Oh! They don't go for silly money like Escorts! £6823 for a good one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143990873547
I'm not sure what the point is of a pre-MOT, just have an MOT! Lots of places do them at less than the max price - mine was £35 last week.
Also, it's a good guide but doesn't necessarily tell you "everything that needs doing" - lots of things aren't MOTd. the brakes might work now but seals fail the next time they are used very hard, non structural rust isn't a fail. It's a good guide, but only tests the things on the list to be tested.
Edit - Oh! They don't go for silly money like Escorts! £6823 for a good one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143990873547
Edited by john2443 on Sunday 4th April 11:43
Mr Tidy said:
aaron_2000 said:
He spoke to the owner who said the car is running after fresh petrol and a new battery and it's driving too for loading purposes. The car has been in a garage for 10 years not outside so the shell isn't in a bad way. His plan is to do a full service, make sure the cambelt looks decent enough to run it to the garage then have them do a pre MOT so he knows everything that needs doing. He's gonna drop it on some BBS splits anyway, seemingly after seeing my CX Safari he thinks he can take the project on, the floor needs some welding but it doesn't look bad at all.
This doesn't look promising - just read the post "finlo" made earlier! Edited by aaron_2000 on Sunday 4th April 02:10
"drop it on some BBS splits" - why would you, unless you want instant depreciation?!
Saves me a trip at least. Cheers for the help everyone Edited by aaron_2000 on Sunday 4th April 14:15
Rozzers said:
Every bush and hose will be shot, as will the tyres, as I assume it wasn’t all new 10 years ago and probably 20 plus.
Fuel will be, well, not fuel.
Add to this assorted gaskets and seals on all sorts of components. Anything that can perish may have perished. To get the car back onto the road your friend or his mechanic if he hires one will need to be patient and methodical. It's do-able, but it may take a while. Fuel will be, well, not fuel.
Yes they did the 2 litre dohc in xr4x4, same running gear as the Ghia estate version as well. I had a couple of them.
MT 75 box and 7" diff from the cosworth variant ( quite desirable 3.9 ratios though instead of 3.6), just smaller rear brakes. that engine was wheezy though,
MT 75 box and 7" diff from the cosworth variant ( quite desirable 3.9 ratios though instead of 3.6), just smaller rear brakes. that engine was wheezy though,
Edited by PAUL500 on Sunday 4th April 20:36
PAUL500 said:
Yes they did the 2 litre dohc in xr4x4, same running gear as the Ghia estate version as well. I had a couple of them.
MT 75 box and 7" diff from the cosworth variant ( quite desirable 3.9 ratios though instead of 3.6), just smaller rear brakes. that engine was wheezy though,
Yes that did do a 2 litre 8 valve in XR 4x4 trim. MT 75 box and 7" diff from the cosworth variant ( quite desirable 3.9 ratios though instead of 3.6), just smaller rear brakes. that engine was wheezy though,
Edited by PAUL500 on Sunday 4th April 20:36
The engine was an awful thing, so slow to rev etc. Working at a Ford Main Dealer at the time we had a few customers bring them back (early in the cars life) quoting they were performing poorly....we told every customer the the engine was a new design and is built to very tolerances so will take time to 'free up!'
I then had one for a few weeks as a company demonstrator, lovely car, dreadful performance tho.......
and they can make decent numbers due to a good cylinder head and strong bottom end , I would imagine TB's inc CR hike bigger cams apply Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff