Time to sell my Melos

[James Doulton]

i have eventually realised that I am never going to get around to finishing off my Melos, so it is time to cut my losses and regain a little bit more room for my other cars. I shall be sad to see it go because I get attached to these things. The one insurmountable problem with it, as far as I am concerned, is a weeping core plug at the back of the engine, behind the flywheel. I think that is a body off job. I know myself well enough not to start taking it apart that much because I will get fed up with the scale of the job and just give up.

I bought the car for fun, not to let it get me down, so it has got to go. In fairness, I didn't know about the core plugs when I bought it - the seller only mentioned it in passing when I had loaded the car onto the transporter. I shan't do the same to the next guy, I'll put it in the advert. I know that I'll lose money on it as I replaced all of the brakes (everything apart from the pedal and the copper pipes) but couldn't get it MOT'ed as it just boiled over because of the leaking core plug. Still I have only spent £1500 on it, so it isn't worth worrying about.

So is it best to advertise on eBay or on gumtree? Should I include the hard top and tonneau cover in the sale or sell them separately? I also have some other parts that I bought for it, e.g. Cylinder head (injection), exhaust, bike carbs? Maybe I can force the buyer to take a spare set of wheels, as it came with 14" pepper pots on it.

Just in case anyone on here is feeling like a new project, the car is an S2 Melos, mostly orange but with some patches of red paint. It has a 2 litre Pinto with an Escort 4 speed gearbox. It was Mk1 based but with Cortina discs and P16 calipers. It goes quite well and stops properly. It has a newish exhaust and a newish radiator. It still has the original Dutton seats.

Hopefully, it should be sunny tomorrow so I'll take some pictures then. I'll post them on here first. Sunday is the traditional ebay day, so I should be ready for then.

P.s. Don't tell my wife, but I've seen a nice Scimitar GTE that I could buy myself as a reward.

[James Doulton]

I don't think that the engine and gearbox can be separated because the engine is so far back in the engine bay. I also am not sure that the engine and gearbox will come out as one,.with the body on.

[Hey, how come i can't just add pictures into my text anymore? Instead I have to upload the file. Grrr]

[Adrian Southgate]

You'd get that out, might have to loosen the front body bolts... well all the ones in front of the roll cage really., strip all the ancilliaries off, support the engine on blocks and remove the engine mounts, then chain it to the lift.

If the gear stick is out then there should be enough room to lift the gearbox mount clear of the bolts, enough room to remove the gearbox mount completely.

[Dave Adams]

you can fit a V6 Essex in a Melos, i believe you have a Xflow....they are tiny by comparison.....i got the pinto out of my Legerra in an hour or so (it was tight) replacing a core plug is a matter of minutes once the engine is out (after removing the fly wheel if required) two exhaust bolts a couple of cables.....not much really

you have an engine crane, its half a dozen bellhousing bolts, two engine mounts (take them off the block as well it gives more room) and remove the radiator If its between the  engine and cross member......the engine only needs to come forward about 3".

As Daryl says its a mornings work to remove and replace the engine, it looks daunting but it really isn't.

[James Doulton]

It is very kind of you guys to be supportive. The engine is a Pinto, which is noticeably longer than a crossflow in the engine compartment. In my case I can only see one of the top bell housing bolt and I cannot get a spanner on it from above. If I was determined then I might be able to find a way or, failing that, I could remove the body. While it was off I could change the rear end to a 4 bar linkage at the same time. That might all be fun.

But I have had the Legerra for nearly two years now and in that time I have not touched the Melos, except to move it out of the way. I have not had any occasion when the Legerra was not a higher priority. And I am not keeping up to date with the Legerra. For example, I have had a hardtop for the Legerra since before the winter but it still isn't fitted. If the Melos was my only project then things might be different. Also there is DIY that has been hanging around for two years and needs to be done. I have over-extended myself and I need to make some changes.

These days, since my wife got her mobility scooter, I have reduced garage space and I mostly have to work on my cars on the drive. The Melos, without an MOT, needs to be off the road and it just gets in the way. I probably need to build a car port to give me some cover but that will take time, which means further delays to Project Melos. Then my wife is expecting two knee operations this year and she will need more support from me. I can't see me making any progress on the Melos this year.

The Melos has got to the point where it is just a constant reminder that I don't have the time. It has to go.

[Dave Adams]

I also have been in that very situation, hence one of the arguments for getting the S1 built and clear out some space......which will then give the space to do the Legerra.

however the Melos will be a easier sell with MOT and for a much higher price, take up Daryl's offer and fix the car. it may require you to take off the inlet manifold but removing the engine will be possible. and its only a Saturday job. where else could you "earn" several hundreds of pounds for 4-5 hours effort?

But i do understand your argument and i too would be thinking along the same lines were i to be left to do the job solo.

[Dave Adams]

I have in the past used a long collection of socket extensions to release the engine to gearbox bolts from the back of the gearbox by the propshaft....its a little bit of hassle but do-able. 

[Steve Kerswell]

We could all turn up and bring our own flask, bit like a Dutton picnic. Even bring our own spanners.

[James Doulton]

I've been out and taken some pictures, in preparation for putting it on ebay.

 

 

[Adrian Southgate]

For the amount of time it would take it would be worth it, especially if you can work in a garage.

Currently the listing is not going to read very well, Melos, blown core plug, no MOT, minor body damage...essentially a non runner. I honestly think that with the core plug replaced and a valid MOT you'd get double the money it would make as it is.

The 2 litre pinto is worth more out of the car than in it, especially running, would it be worth buying a 1600 pinto, swapping the lumps over to get the melos running, fix the core plug and do two listings? That would help to discourage the ford breakers a bit. Just my 2p's worth in case you hadn't thought of them.

[Steve Kerswell]

Just had a word with Daniel, the of stealth Melos fame. He did his rear core plug in place, by dropping the box and removing the flywheel. Car was up on ramps. Saturday job in the road !  Daniel works on and repairs lifeboats, so is used to working in confined spaces etc.

[James Doulton]

Surely not in his Melos? I thought that the gearbox sat on top of the chassis, as in this photo of a crossflow.

[Steve Kerswell]

Thought everyone had a detachable cross member, surely no one has still got that set up ?