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My 1988 Mk4 Cabrio - Where To Start?


Guest rodge
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Guest mustbecrazycab

Hey,

 

I bought my Escort in August and haven't had much time to play with it. I'm still trying to get it on the road. Here she is.

 

escort.jpg

 

Just needs the emissions sorting, two tyres and the brake pipes changing which hopefully will be done by Monday for the MOT.

 

Then, I have no idea where to start. The engine seems ok, holds temp etc but I'm sure it can be improved.

 

Interior, needs a little work but I am trying to locate some better seats for it.

 

Exterior - Dont really like the colour or the wording down the side to it's coming off, but not sure what colour to paint it.

 

Any advice on what to change on the engine to improve it (other than a replacement!) would be appreciated.

 

Dave,

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey,

 

Didn't realise people were still posting in this thread. I have not MOT'd it yet and wont do so until the end of this March. Purely because as soon as it is MOT'd I'll want to tax it and that would mean I would only get 5 months + 1 week and what I want to do is tax it for 6 months and then SORN it for 6 months (over the winter).

 

I have had a bit of trouble getting the trailing arm off. The nuts and bolts are fine, it's just time and effort as I only have a small trolley jack and the odd free evening.

 

Also, it seems I have bought the wrong bushes!

 

I have this Sat and Next Sat all to myself so I'm going to try to finish it off. I've fixed all the other jobs and removed the stickers and changed the wheels.

 

If anyone is near Wigan, feel free to come and help me !!!!!

 

Dave,

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The rears are 205's and the fronts are 195's.

 

The tyres are good, but are /60's and I want to drop them to 50's or 40's but that is the first job post MOT time.

 

Sorted the bushes now, just tinkering with the body until the end of March now, then I'll MOT her.

 

Dave,

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest rodge

Made a bit of an impulse purchase last night. A set of TSW Venoms!

 

Was thinking of painting the inside edges yellow or something but not sure wheter it will look good.

 

I'm thinking of keeping both sets so I can change them as and when I feel like it!

 

In terms of the rest of the car, I'm struggling to sort out the short on the back lights (most of the back lights flash when I indicate).

 

Anyone know the best way to sort these?

 

Dave,

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venoms!!!! a crime in my eyes lol, only joking mate, paint the lip on them, could try the inside edges but might be fiddly on venoms, when you put em on be sure to post pics, you know the dril lol :laugh:

 

take it youve checked everythings earthed? re-check and clean all the points up

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Guest rodge

The lip is a good idea, like a yellow circle around the wheel, not too over the top. hmmmm.

 

I dont feel confident cleaning the boards. As they are only £17.00 new, it might be easier to replace them.

 

The problem comes if it's the wiring. This cab is becoming an electrical nightmare as the Dash lights dont work either.

 

Good job the engine runs sweet (for now!)

 

Dave,

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Guest rodge

Here she is with the new wheels. Too small, so going to change them, again. I'll keep these until the respray is doine so I can drive it around without scrubbing.

 

IMG_0706.jpg

 

Not putting the others back on though as they were too wide. Trying to decide whether to go 5 spoke or lots of spokes but I have decided to buy new, that way I wont want to change them every day!

 

As for the back lights, I have tried sandpaper and it hasn't worked.

 

Oh, and I found a hole where the spare wheel goes. More welding :-(

 

Dave,

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Guest rodge

I've ordered the new bulb holder and also ordered a set of new clear indicators for the front becuase they were only £14.00 and I think they look better.

 

That's next weekend sorted, just hope there is as much sun as there was yesterday.

 

Dave,

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Guest rodge

Question - What engine is this? I know it's a 1.6i but that's about it.

 

Can you tell me any known problems, and whether an XR3i engine from a H reg cabbie will go in, and will it be better?

 

IMG_0291.jpg

 

Dave,

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