Project Sierra

[Dave Taylor]

Sierra is getting closer, we could do with a weeks worth of good weather, and we'll turn the corner. James ordered to Poly bushes for the front end yesterday on E-bay from Flo-Flex, and they where delivered by 10 am this morning, now that service!!

We picked up an exhaust box at Stafford last week 2" in Twin 2" out, so exhaust will exit from both sides just in front of the rear wheels. Now looking for X-flow exhaust manifold 4-2-1

[Dave Taylor]

Cheers Daryl, Mine original box as 27mm output with 25 splines, and the other box suitable for the Phaeton is 19mm output.

The correct clutch plate arrived yesterday, and would have been fitted if not for family commitments today, up early tomorrow and get it done.

[Dave Taylor]

This one has a lage sline not sure of the measurement tonight, but I'll check in the morning and let you know, I am putting the 2 lt box back in, Fingers cross I may even get it to run by Sunday.

[Dave Taylor]

Thought it was too good to be true, The clutch fitted, but the gearbox would not fit to the propshaft, The prop is the type with a centre bearing I think from a Ford Sierra 2lt, So engine out again and revert back to original box, and there's the problem the original box as 23 splines. A phone call later and Ade found the one from the car in his Aladdin's cave / garage. picked it up the following day. Oh dear Tut! Tut! or words to that effect, this plate is 215mm and flywheel on the crossflow is 190mm. Turns out that Ford did use a 23 spline 190mm plate in just 2 models, the Capri Mk11 1600ohv and a very early Sierra 1600ohv both with 4 speed box. I never remember the Sierra having a 1600 ohv fitted thought they were all Pintos, what ever they are as rare as hen's teeth.

You can't buy just a spinner plate anymore only a full kit Partco wanted £85 for that, I tried all the usual suppliers in Bolton, but no joy.

A trawl though Fleabay and I found one in Essex for £10 plus £5 P&P. It arrived today new one is Balco Reconditioned unit. Guess what I'm doing this weekend?

[Dave Taylor]

Hand brake lever fitted, Heater box fitted. I have tasked James to see if he can find a set of bellhousing to engine bolts in the bits box buried deep in the garage.

This weekend should see the dash fixings bonded in and the roof boards also bonded into the cab roof, they hold the roof lining, sun visors and interior mirror. They also add extra strength to the roof panel, when we got the car these where screwed in place through the roof.

Found the clutch assy earlier and that fits to the type 3 gearbox

[Dave Taylor]

We are out tonight, but tomorrow would be OK, give me a call.

[Adrian Southgate]

Do you want me to fetch the poles back over Dave? We could do a swap for the 'gary' boot lid?

[Dave Taylor]

The Apprentice has got the roll bar drilled and bolted back in, door lock barrel on and door slam plate drilled off and new bolts fitted, now the door shuts properly.

We've also moved it back into the rear garden, much easier to get the engine back in, and finish the build.

[Dave Taylor]

Thanks, I have got them but not fitted yet, as I say I need to get on with the build, think I will change the box for the spare one mainly because I have a clutch disc for the spare one.

Have you checked out The Northern Duttoneer's website yet? let me have you thoughts.

[Dave Taylor]

I can see I'm going to have to get my finger out, not easy this working outside especially in the North. But it is getting on Marian's nerves sitting in front of the Lounge window.

That engine would be awesome, you'd have to make sure the body was bolted down well...

[Dave Taylor]

**STOP PRESS**

The apprentice is on his way back for a couple of weeks, I think it is time to make another start on the Sierra.