Project MK2

[Pepsi Max]

For all of you who have been following the Ebay thread, I have finally got the old girl home today.

Bought it blind, hand painted over the original red, really nice!!

I really cannot believe how solid it is. Greg, the guy I got it from off Ebay is top dollar gent.

Need some tin work on the 2 rear arches about 4" long, rear door which came with the van, bonnet edge missing in places, needs a new one really, and the passengers door has a small crease. Front bumper is a little rough, perhaps a new one would really smarten it up. New front screen rubber, front screen leaks.

Found the seats were a little uncomfortable so am going to change them for a more modern set, with head rests and arm rests.

So thats where I am, lots of decisions already, oh and theres the engine, def more power.

Am so chuffed with the old girl. Off to ebay now to do some shopping. Anyone got any bits that I'm after, let me know, all help greatly appreciated

Paul

[MinorMatt]

pics or ebay link?

[BROWNYS V6]

this one matt viewtopic.php?f=11&t=55471
good luck with it

[Pepsi Max]

Have some pics but have no idea how to upload from my computer HELP!!!

Paul

[Luke]

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=23

look forward to reading this one

[MattBlackMinibus]

Pair of old cream leather jag seats any good to ya?
All electrics included,
no longer needed,
30 notes,
can deliver to bottom of m25

[Pepsi Max]

Update 14th Nov

Stripped out the rear panelling last night, lookin good, all solid at high level, needs to bits of attention on the wheel arches.

New rear door to replace rotted out one.

Going to repair the front edge onm the bonnet, not really that bad, bit of fettling will sort that out.

Have decided to have her painted next week by my mate Si (Mitchville). Coming down tonorrow to have a look at whats needed.

Urgently need a front screen rubber for when the screen is put back in after repaint, any ideas?

Engine swap over Xmas, Cologne v6 or Essex V6, Manual box, 5 speed or overdrive. Need engine mounts/box mounts and new diff for better gearing, will look at what axle is on there tomorrow.

Anyone can help, be much appreciated, can collect within reason, am in Kent.

Thanks for the offers on the seats, but need a drivers and bench passengers seat, someone said Mk 3-5, are they a straight swap?

Really getting the bug now!!

Paul

PS still cannot upload pics HELP!!!

[Luke]

for the seats mk3 will bolt strait in but mk4 and 5 have different mount holes they'll still fit ok if you redrill the floor but you need to put some sort plate under the new hole to spread the load

try agian with the pics

[MattBlackMinibus]

Get a list of wanted parts into the 'Transit Parts Wanted' section mate,
to let everyone know what you're after!

[Pepsi Max]

Have been out today in the garage cleaning out Vinnie, yep we have named it Vinnie, rough on the outside but hard as nails. The missus is very unsure at the moment about the new project.

Went to NEC yesterday, got chatting to the lads on the 105E stand, fell in love with the van with the 1800 zetec in it, and amazingly the missus fell in love with the saloon version, so next project sorted.

Anyway, back to today, Jeff amd Si pitched up to look over the van. I actually think Si is more excited than I am about making Vinnie look more...er.... tidy. So Vinnie has all the timber lining removed, swept out inside and ready to go off tomorrow to Simons to be painted

I am amazed that all the original paint has survived under the floor and side pannelling. It looks in better nick than my Transits I run at work and they are all MK 6 and 7. The van feels lucky, got that warm sticky feeling going on lol.

We have, the royal we, me and the lads to be precise to paint it the original colour, red, refurb the steels and drop a v6 essex in it with a five speed. Keep it std on the outside but a bit of an animal on the inside. V6 and V8's are a passion of mine, Holley and ported heads on their way.

The biggest question is what gearbox will fit? And how the hell do I post all these pictures, so dense with computers Lol

Laters

Paul

[Southerner]

well done for saving this one - looking forward to the progress pics! Andy.

[Pepsi Max]

Thanks Andy, getting right into it now. Just cant make a decision on the engine.

Been looking at other threads and getting some ideas.

Love Lukes engine but havent got the time or the access to the equipment to make up loads of bits, no problems with fabbing up stuff or making things fit.

Got a 350 Small block chevy in my garage but got that earmarked for something else, want really to keep it all Ford.

2 Litre Pinto is the easy way and a MT75 5 speed but really want a V6. Really dont know which way to go.

Got a few weeks to think about it until I get it back from the paint shop.

Paul

[Pepsi Max]

Update 16th Nov

Dropped off Vinnie today to Simon, full body overhaul and paint. Got so many looks driving up the motorway, I think most of them thought I was a mad man, they are deprived people!!!

Should be there about 2 weeks. Going to go straight into the engine swap, still trying to get info on which box to use, Essex out, only overdrive avaliable, rare as hens teeth, so Cologne or hot pinto, Cologne sounds better, too many choices

Paul

[Pepsi Max]

29th Nov

Been up to wet and Windy Essex today to collect the MT75 and adaptor plate, Thanks Gaz. So good to meet a complete Ford petrol head like me.

Showed me round his mk 3, sounds real nice with the 3.0 Essex in it. And it fits a treat. Its really made me think now which way to go with the engine. V6 souds so sweet, just purrs , but bits hard to find for the conversion.

Cologne or pinto it is.

Paul

[Luke]

imo essex V6 is the best sounding V6 ......... better than the cologne but the cologne is a better engine for 1 reason .............. you can get a 24v version