I want to do or own bucket list.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

I kind of got to thinking after dreaming over ebay listings this:


I'm not getting younger nor am I getting better with my illness's that I want to at least try or do one thing on my bucket list before its too late.


Now I'm no big dreamer my absolute car to own is not some exotic v12 monster, its quite simply a series 1 or 2 escort RS turbo, after looking at the trending price increase per year of a standard non abused one increasing by £200 per year on average depending on where it is north or south of the country (why does location even come into it anyway I don't get that part), I thought it maybe time to embark on my bucket list number 1 item or atleast try my best and save to do it.


my Idea and item list would be to buy a S2 90 spec and rebuild it nut for bolt, sheet metal for sheet metal, loom for loom, using as much original parts as available doing it all by myself and friends and what I don't have make!, (bit of a tall order for a ford of this era I think I maybe aiming to high there), With the aim to Show it and win a trophy or two not expecting concourse results but enough to win any show category even if its a dog of the show award, Do a quarter mile at santa pod hoping to get into the low 15's (cant expect much from 1.6 T CVH, then dry store it and look after it and hand it hopefully through to my family when I'm gone, i'll keep a detailed history photo's of the build and shows and santa pod and generally the happy times for family to talk about and then hopfully my nephew who Is going into college to do motor vehicle mechanics (they call it something else these days) sticks to it, become good at it will then be given it (with conditions not to sell) in my will.


It will be a major challenge for me to which I think although a major challenge is achievable before I become too unwell to do it. Ive always wanted to put my skills into one thing so I can stand back at the end and say I did that and be satisfied that I did my main bucketlist item.


I cant stand back and identify the issues with this car and know exactly where I would change a few things from the standard vehicle the main area's I would change are:
Engine: the standard escort MFI is good in design, but the EFI fiesta RS system is better also a few changes such as fiesta rs ECU needed and wiring not a big problem.
The CVH bottom end suffers with main bearing issues, as in once they go they will always keep going no matter how you try and prevent it. question is do I rely on originality of the engine and redo the bearing shells when they go (an expensive strategy) or do I rely on the reliability and durability of a 1.8 zetec bottom end and lose originality and cost less over time but hard work to convert (done it twice before, though it is a nervous time when drilling for a oil feed and return into the block for external oil flow).


Body and interior: strip it all back, redo all the seams around the window front and rear, full scuttle, reseam seal bulkhead, floor pan will benefit from seam sealer and epoxy primer sealer and body colored and lacquered, slam panel, inner arches, battery tray, and reseal the sills and rust proof inside them including when the clips are drilled out for the skirts and seal the skirts up tidy so they don't allow water to collect inside,
reseal the inner rear quarters, rear boot pan, and hatch especially where it bolts to frame and the spoiler holes and inner hatch frame work if it has a sunroof I'd blank it off with a panel im not fond of the sunroofs in these and the frames are hard to come by or expensive to have made, the inner frame of the doors will get fully sealed with epoxy primer and painted body color and the inner door skins and also stitch welded over grinded flush and the under side of the doors will get improved sufficient drainage.
I always thought the 2dr escort rs 90 spec should have rear opening quarter windows, so I shall make the hinges have the glass drilled and window rubbers done to accommodate that.
Find a tidy dash that hasn't suffered bowing or cracking, and recover it with a bit more soft touch padding under the vinyl redo the recaro's driver and passenger seats but improve on the bottom and leg extensions but have the top foam memory foam padding and weld in a seat pan to stop the bottom falling out may add in a lower spine lumbar support and a much better quality but same pattern and color material as the original.


Brakes and suspension: Do away with copper lines, have all stainless, with braided hoses with AN fittings, do away with rear drums, install disks in the rear and 4 pots upfront, I did see an ABS brake assist conversion done on one at a show some years ago but the owner had to relocate battery to the boot for the ABS unit not very original IMHO so think i'll pass, plus drive shafts CV's had to be modded to house abs rings and the hub to carry a sensor not entirely sure what donor it came form either. suspension I will most likely go for a standard look as in height and stance and cambers, i'll use good toughened spring setup with gas (instead of hydraulic oil filled) adjustable shockers (painted black like OE ones to keep inline with OE look).
No strut braces pointless on this application anyway.


Gearbox: I think you have to keep the original LSD box, allot of these were converted to use a 1.8 diesel escort box for better gear ratio and reliability as the LSD box had a weakness.
Clutch, im not going to be running stupid BHP I don't like paddle clutch systems, so to me (if I wanted to increase BHP) seems logical to have a heavy duty clutch cover, race rated friction plate and clutch slave bearing.




I would every second of doing it.




so people what is your motoring bucket list want to do thing before you get too unwell or before you pass over to the netherworld?

arcon5

I guess i'd find it quite exiting to turn an mr2 in to a Lamborghini.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Eventually i'll find another 70 series Landcruiser, sorely miss my old one, which was the 3 litre with manual box, good combination but the one i want will be one of the last 70 series not classed as a troop carrier, around 2004 vintage then, with the 4.2 Diesel and auto box.

No one makes them like these any more, simple tried and tested engineering, some still on rear leaf springs, all with coil sprung live front axle, extremely tough and durable, a mechanics dream.

Timeless and classless, luckily those with egos and images to upkeep wouldn't be seen dead in one, and few would know the first thing about them, which makes them all the better.

Direct import from Japan so i can rustproof it properly myself.