PREPARATION ~ AUGUST 2002
5 to 9/08/2002
This week I have made a little progress towards donor components. I trip to the Cheltenham ford dealer to enquire on new prices (I would quite like a brand new registration) did not start well when the miserable old git behind the counter announced that he "hated kit cars, they cause them nothing but trouble", it probably wasn't helped that he had just had a long search for an old engine part for a Westfield driver. In case anybody else tries this route the prices I was quoted are;
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Front knuckles, including bearings and hubs = £240each. However, the aforementioned old git says that as they are not making them anymore the nearside is only available in ABS format and the offside only in non-ABS guise. |
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Front brake calipers = £206each. |
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Rear bearing carriers, bearings and hub = £82each |
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Rear brake calipers = £278each. |
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Differential 7.5" 3.36:1 LSD = £1166 |
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Driveshafts, are you ready for this = £641 each new, £212 re-manufactured |
So at a total of £4k new from Ford it is not looking like either an affordable or likely route.
I have sent an enquiry to classic conversions regarding their new knuckles, hubs, etc. They also do a nice reconditioned diff with 3.14 (the ideal ratio according to Dax) with a Quaife TB LSD.
It looks like I will probably go with what seems to be the normal route of reconditioning my own parts, with the possible exception of the diff.
Ordered the SVA inspection manual, I figure it is best to know exactly what I will be tested against.
On the Friday evening sent a request to 1st choice online for the following parts;
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Front End Parts;
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Rear End Parts;
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Other;
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10 & 11/08/2002
Four weeks to go.....
Had only one response from 1st choice online. A breakers in Birmingham can do all the parts except the specific rear end for £270 delivered.
Had a skim through the SVA manual, fellow builders will probably shoot me for saying this, but some of the requirements are actually quite sensible and dare I say it reasonable. Others will be annoying to say the least.
Oh and some more of my log book done.
17 & 18/08/2002
Spent the weekend visiting the Tall Ships in Portsmouth, and calling in on my sister on the way home. Trying to get all my days outs and visits done before the chassis arrives.
19 to 23/08/2002
23rd first batch of
parts has finnaly arrived, first choice may be ok, but parts r us Birmingham certainly
are not. Helpful and friendly on phone useless on delivering on
promises. As mentioned above, meant to be despatched last Friday for
delivery on Monday, no joy many phone calls finally got delivered Friday.
V5 missing, handbrake missing, sierra shocks stuck in knuckle with bolt already
sheared off, wheel stud missing (probably need longer - but still annoying),
steering column missing the female connectors specifically ordered, only one
key, meant to be two, paint all over cowl when I asked for one in good
condition. Phoned up, his reaction, remind him next Tuesday and
he will send out the other parts, and just drill out the bolt, but the Dax
diagram shows that I need this hole again including the threads. I think replacements or
cancelling the visa is in order.
24 to 26/08/2002
Bank Holiday weekend, was intending to work on the donor components. The list of what is wrong
Ok some of these like the key are minor, and I can live with but £270 and this many failures is not on. Trying to get a refund out of 'Parts R Us' Birmingham, they just hang up. First choice spares simply have call centre staff, so all I can do is leave a message
Spent an hour removing the callipers, brake discs, steering wheel, cowl, etc. And giving them an initial clean. More recently I am leaning towards some 4pot racing callipers, so these may be available for anybody local starting a rush build. The column is now parcelled up to be sent to Dax this week.
Also laid out some carpet underlay, should make the garage a little more pleasant through those winter weekends.
screwfix / machine mart orders
27 to 31/08/2002
Went off sailing again, so I have done nothing towards the car. However, Dad has got the wood for the trestles and bench.
Go to September
Go to Preparation Index
Last Updated 26/08/2002