Hi all,
Have decided to take my coupe off the road to do a mini restoration. The CHOD split and although was able to re-make it off it didnt last so as i had just finished restoring a 1988 XR2 i decided to use that and treat the coupe to some TLC.

I am the 2nd owner of the coupe, have had it nearly 5 years and its been a fantastic car, had always intended it to be a keeper.

A few years ago i bought a 1979 Escort RS2000 which along with a mate (he works in a body shop) we restored fully (completely stripped to bare shell then totally refurbished, its finished now and is my pride and joy, came 3rd in national concourse) as had enjoyed it thats why i got the XR2, wasnt as in-depth as the RS but most parts were removed to be refurbished.

The coupe is probably going to be done similar to the XR2 as its not a bad car just needs cosmetic attention to running gear and engine bay to try to get it looking 99% mint.

Have started by stripping off the front bumper area to remove parts to clean up and re-paint, have discovered the D/S eng mount to be collapsed so that will have to be replaced, the down-pipe i knew was going to need replacing as the outer pipe had holed and last MOT was a advisory.

Going to drop the tank and replace all the brake pipes as well as removing the rear suspension to refurbish.

May well do the cambelt as well (have done other engines but not had to jiggle an engine about to do so yet!)

Will try to put some pics up on the resto thread, will start with how the car looked before i took it off the road as havent remembered to take and pics whilst working on the car as its round my in-laws house, will try to remember to take some!

Peter.

You need to use

when i first read the title i thought you were going to put a 20vt lump in an old mini!

but any way good luck with the resto.... i have been slowly sorting out my own steel grey, underrated colour in my opinion

Well finally remembered to take the camera round to the garage to take some pics of the coupe.

Have got it quite stripped as the pics show.

Got the engine mounts off and ready to do the cambelt/tensioners/waterpump.
Gearbox mount one of the 13mm bolts has refused to budge but will try again with another 1/2" socket as has worked in past but one in set i had only had 1/4" drive and it sheared off the adaptor!

Quite a bit of rust on the extremities on parts not normally seen, but its mostly surface rust and hopefully can all be nipped in the bud.

Now have most of the inlet removed can now at least see the brake pipe runs so that will be next, plan on doing one at a time along with suspension refurb for that corner at same time.

Well have done a fair bit on the coupe but havent updated as usually forgot camera.

Have changed the cambelt and water pump, not a bad job once the 3 engine mounts are removed and the engine moved across for access (i used a ratchet strap to hold it across)

Changing all the brake pipes was interesting! quite tight to get to ABS block and the rear bias valve area was a bit of a pain but all changed to kunifer now so hopefully wont have to be done again.

I removed the front suspension struts and cleaned/re-painted and re-fitted. Found the wishbones to be fine so just refurbed them and re-fitted.

Rear arms cleaned and re-painted (was going to remove them but decided to do in-situe as had removed the drivers side last summer to replace the bearing and the passenger side had a new arm fitted just before i bought the car) rear calipers re-painted.

Under side all heat shields were removed and all needed some repairs to where mount to body. Fuel lines were cleaned and floors re-painted in black.New zinc cadmium bolts used where possible.

Just about finished now just need to bleed the brakes and re-fit front bumper and lights.

Ideally want to get the car re-sprayed to get the as new look but will have to save up for that, just a few minor dinks and chips spoil the car, as was/will be a daily driver am debating whether it would be worth it, will see!

Nice work!

Can't seam to get this to work now on I pad?
Hold finger on picture gets the copy option, have tried pasting as is and also adding at end, worked before?

It's coming along nicely Pete

Is that 7k as in money or miles?

Thats miles since a total refresh with new shells, rings tec, had done only 65k upto then so should be like a new engine

Your 20vt's looking really good, Pete! Are you tempted to keep it with the new engine?!

Yes i am Nick, i think i need a massive garage then can keep all of them (and add some more!)

You are doing a sterling job there Leckypete.
Your braver than me at stripping it down and putting it back together again...

Well my parents have half a large double garage they don't use in Darlington............ i'd only ask for occasional use for Sunday run / drive to the Alps as payment......??

Them seats look great,where can I get these from?