Fiesta RS Turbo Restoration

Fiesta RS Turbo Restoration

Author
Discussion

TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
quotequote all
Hi
This is my first Post. I joined an RS Owners Club last month and the response has been non-existant.... I also belong to a TVR Owners Club and that is superb; hopefully PH will be the same!

Im interested to know if you guys (and girls) would be interested in following the full restoration of a Fiesta RS Turbo; if so I will do daily updates with pictures?

I purchased the Fiesta a few months ago and its black. It has just 65k on the clock but the bodywork was a bit crap in places and the engine a little rattly so I decided to fully restore it.
I began about a month ago and stripped of the body kit and bumpers to identify which panels would need replacing. It will need 2 front wings (possible inners as well), complete front section and cross member, a complete new rear section and last but not least a complete new rear quater panel.
I then began stripping parts for refurbishment and so far have done all the suspension, rear axel and brakes. At the moment it looks in a very bad way.....
I want advice and tips from all you guys in the know...
Is a colour change going to cost more? The doors and boot etc will all be of for a respray anyway and have decided I want it Red.
The bottom end of the engine needs a rebuild; is it more cost effective to change the whole engine?
I hope to hear and I will add all the pics once I guage the interest
Many thanks

LHDisbest

17,001 posts

194 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
quotequote all
yes

I'd love to see how it turns out, i had an RS Turbo and an RS1800. smile

M-Ster

143 posts

198 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
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post it up i am keen to watch and see it develop i have 1991 xr2i if you change the colour from black to red i think it will decrease it in value only for the fact that it would not be in its original colour and may put a future buyer off

Nolar Dog

8,786 posts

202 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
quotequote all
Yes please but please rethink the colour change as standard (or easily modified back to standard) cars will have better value.

# Lord Lucan #

234 posts

198 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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If you change the colour then the value will go down as black cars are few and far between Reds are everywhere Black and Mercury Grey were the rare ones change it if you wish but the value will get a whack.

TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
Hi
I see what your saying; I will give the colour change a rethink. What your all missing the point on through is Im not doing this to make money on. I wont be selling it after spending hundreds of hours on it...
Today I wanted to begin removing all the underseal from the floor. Oh boy what a task this is going to be. I have tried so many ways and none really touch the rubber. I tried a heat lamp, a drill attachment and so on. Im going to have to use a blow torch tomorrow and try and burn it all of.

Any one else removed it easily? Its a couple millimeters thick...

Cheers

Nolar Dog

8,786 posts

202 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
Brush petrol onto it and let it soak in. smile

TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
Tried petrol; only removes top black layer. Does not get close to removing the rubber seal.
Thanks though

eddie1980

419 posts

195 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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A restore would be awsum to watch. I had several XR2i's in my yoof and always wanted a turbo. In some ways still do!!

Would love to see your progress on this.

eddie1980

419 posts

195 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
In terms of cleaning stuff down you cannot beat Sandblasting, its a little effort to get the kit together, but on a project like this could be useful.

Edited by eddie1980 on Monday 11th May 21:10

# Lord Lucan #

234 posts

198 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
do the petrol bit scraper it then use thinners but you will be high as a kite sceapper it then let it all dry out completely then use a paint stripping gun on the hottest setting and scrape again by this time you will be down to the metal with no finger prints and red raw knuckles but it is the only way unless you get the shell shot blasted by a professional not that expensive but be prepared if you go this route as it uncovers every sin the car and its previous owners have repaired every dent graze everything but this way you get one hell of a clean shell.


Looked on the RSOC and could not find your thread mate I am a regular overthere

TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
quotequote all
Hi
Well spent all day with a blow torch, scrapers and wire brushes and have just about done the passenger side.
I am going to try to add the pictures now.

Back bumper removed unfortunately revealing this.....



First attemp at adding a picture so if this works will add loads more as a complete update to where Im at....

TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
quotequote all
Ok that was easy...
Well I began about 3 weeks ago. First few pics are looking around the car and the horrors that are the rust......







It was to late now; I had started so on I went and began stripping....

Rear axel and suspension out...




Next will be refurbished rear axel and suspension.....


TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
quotequote all
Lots of hard work and time and this can be achieved!





[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/v/sGKK42He.jpg[/url]


TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
quotequote all
Fuel tank removed..... finaly......stupid connectors on there that are not 'supposed' to be undone (according to the guy at my Ford shop)...




A litre of Gunk and all the grime is removed....



Is this a new tank???? No just hard work.......








Brake components refurbished...


TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
quotequote all
Now were upto date!

Today as I mentioned I have been removing underseal. What anyone tells you this is not easy; there is no quick and easy way unless you have the car dipped/shell sent for blasting. Chemicals will only soften the top coat of the underseal and will not touch the rubber base. I spoke with a few restores and all agree that the only way is hard graft! I tried a heat gun and it only worked slowly....very slowly. After speaking with my car body guy he said the only way forward for me was with a blow torch. I spent 6-8 hours today just doing the passenger side.....
First you soften it and scrape it off and then heat it (burn it) some more and use a wire brush on it.

First pic is of the drivers side. It all looked like this; if not worse.



After many hours it looked worse than before I started:




After more hours were getting there!! Passenger side nearly done !!! Look at the lovely metal!







THATS IT! Were up to date!
Can I PLEASE have all your feedback; Good or bad!!
I need motivation and I need to know how I doing!

The bodyshop guy called in today and was impressed with the fuel tank and suspension so that was good news but YOU guys are the experts!!

porka_boy

59 posts

196 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
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Wow it looks like you are doing a good job - not that I have ever restored a car.

Are you doing all this work in a car park?

peaktorque

1,807 posts

218 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
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thumbup

Don't see many of these around anymore.

I don't know why I like old Fords so much cool

Keep up the good work smile

TROOPER88

Original Poster:

1,770 posts

186 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
quotequote all
Pretty much in a car park....
I have good neighbours and a small private car park. Once parts are removed I have a small area where I can work on them but room is very tight to say the least...

oobster

7,241 posts

218 months

Tuesday 12th May 2009
quotequote all
Looking forward to more updates on this.