What does a man do with an old Mk2?

[WanganuiLad]

The Mk 2 has been a faithful companion for 12 years.
She is getting pretty rusty and the old pinto is fairly tired...
Its got a sierra box and new radiator, thermostat housing, electrics and battery.
The last Warrent of Fitness (every 6mth here) was the usual general rust warning with a kingpin on final warning.

The new Mk 5 was bought for a good reason

Should I now...
1. sell the Mk 2 for $500 if I'm lucky ?

2. laboriously strip it and sell parts for $200?

3. Recon the marvelous pinto, get a better cam / freeflow/ injection and stick it in the Mk5 ?

I think I'm too sentimental to see her go in the crusher

Pete

[rover]

Keep the mk2, do it up over time, rebuild the pinto to a high spec with a big valve head and a set of twin 45s, four branch mainfold and side exit pipes. Drive the Mk5 during the week........and Take the Mk2 out at weekends for a right good thrashing

Rover.

[WanganuiLad]

Keep the mk2, do it up over time, rebuild the pinto to a high spec with a big valve head and a set of twin 45s, four branch mainfold and side exit pipes. Drive the Mk5 during the week........and Take the Mk2 out at weekends for a right good thrashing

Rover.

tempting thoughts...
but my history with good ideas like this is spotty
should have mentioned the shortage of garage space
I can see her becoming a sad rust pile over time
I thought the valve size was pretty good already?

pete

[rover]

The standard Pinto head has reasonable size valves (cant remember exact size), but the norm for a flowed and ported head would be 44.5mm inlet and 38 exhaust.

If you havent got the time/space to make a top job of it I would sell, preferably to someone out of your local area so you dont see it getting any worse.

Rover.

[WanganuiLad]

The standard Pinto head has reasonable size valves (cant remember exact size), but the norm for a flowed and ported head would be 44.5mm inlet and 38 exhaust.

If you havent got the time/space to make a top job of it I would sell, preferably to someone out of your local area so you dont see it getting any worse.

Rover.

Yes you are right about the valves I see...
A guy wanted to drop in a v8 and paint flames down the side (team colours) and tow his mini stock with it
Might be the answer...sell him the rolling body and do up the pinto 5 sp for the Mk 5...mmm

Pete

[FredTransit]

I would keep the Mk2 and get rid of the Mk5. But I'm biased........

[BigMac]

keep the mk2 its been good to you now repay. The mk5 wont be so nice wait till it goes bad on you and the mk2 goes flying past you

[WanganuiLad]

Jeese Guys this isn't going in the expected direction

So I should build a garage with a pit ...
learn welding and bogging...etc...
Reward the old girls faithful service with life ever after

gunna be a hard sell to her who rules
She likes the luxury of the Mk5...
I do tend to enjoy slamming BOTH of the back doors

Its getting harder to get these things a Warant over here...
is it getting tighter in the UK ?

[rover]

Our M.O.T test is getting more strict, but the newer rules are aimed at newer vehicles so its not like a Mk2 Transit is gona have to pass a cat test or fail cos the ABS light wont go out etc.. A Transits worst enemy is still the tinworm

If you can learn to weld and do her up properly then she'll return may more years of good service, if not or you can spare the time/cash then pass her on to someone that can

Rover.

[FredTransit]

I still find it hard to believe the rust on Oz is as bad as we get over here! You don't have snow and ice everywhere so don't routinly dump salt on the roads every winter. Your climate is gerally (though I know not uniformally) dryer than in the UK too.

[bigmastif]

keep her m8 and do her up nz is gonna go the same way as the uk with the mk2 its a classic dont give her up due to the wife just put this to her "well she is better than havin a affair" lol then she will let her stay but you are in the position that many wish they were in "owning a mrk2" so do yourself proud and the van and you will learne some new skills along the way aswell like welding and painting

[sidspop]

The old story, and a dilemma that I'm sure most of us have been through.
I will guarentee you one thing old pal, if you do sell it, the moment you see it driven away, you will regret it. And you will regret it for the rest of your days.
Keep the Mk5, and use the old faithful that's been part of your life for so long, and treat her to the respect she deserves. If needed recon the engine, change the CR a bit, rings, bearings etc, and learn as you go along. Learn how to weld, and grind, and paint, and drink coffee that's gone cold cos you were so engrossed.....
Keep it, love it, cherish it, and be proud when it's done, as other people watch you sail past with envy.

Regards
Andy


And just remember that an old van is just like a woman, treat them right with repect, and they'll look after you. But a van has a key, and you can shut it up!

[stevew]

Of course you do realise that this MK2 is in New Zealand and not Oz!

I know we tend to group Kiwis and Aussies as one over here but it's a bit like saying to a Scottish guy: 'Britain, England same thing!'

Also the climate in NZ is a lot less forgiving than most of Oz.

Steve

[bigmastif]

cheers for pointing that out to me steve yeah think nz is more like scotland lol in the weather stakes

[WanganuiLad]

Awesome replies thanks Guys
I getting swayed

yer its a bit wetter over here than Oz
She has been ungaraged for at least 15 years

I do really like how responsive it is on the road , surprising with the cart arrangement under the front
Must say the steering feel is better than the powered version.
The gearbox on the mk 5 is incredibly notchy after the sierra box in the Mk2

I think part of the problem is the Di sucks after the pinto so I really need a transplant in the Mk 5,
Is the Zetec 16v mondeo motor similar to the Cosworth people use ?
cheers
Pete