Happy Christmas to all you Capri enthusiasts.
There won't be much activity on the Capri front for the next few weeks but I will continue to post my ramblings in the New Year.
Take care!
Wednesday 24 December 2014
Friday 19 December 2014
Capri - No Go & Fuel Pump
As I mentioned in my previous posting, my green XL would not start not matter what I tried. It was going fine when I parked it in the garage but I had not started it for nearly 2 weeks. I was sure it was an electrical problem so in the course of trying to sort things out, I put in a new set of points, tried a different coil & condenser, cleaned the plugs & still no go. There seemed to be a good spark at the dizzy & at the plugs but even despite pouring some fuel down the throat of the carbie, it still wouldn't start.
Time to consult Dr Google & my neighbourhood expert. Kevin, my good neighbour who knows everything about classic cars, came & we went trough all the possibilities. He felt that the problem was lack of fuel & by testing the flow of petrol from the inlet hose thought the fuel pump may be the problem.
I think that I replaced this pump when I first got this car but it didn't take long to take it off-just the two bolts.
I undid the 6 screws holding the pump together & found that all the parts seemed in good order with the diaphragm intact with no splits or problems. In fact, it was in pretty good condition. I did replace the O ring as the original one seemed a little stretched. Then I just screwed it back together & refitted the pump.
To ensure that there was sufficient fuel in the carbie, I attached a hose to the inlet & with a small funnel, poured in about a quarter of a cup of fuel. Then, I reattached all the fuel hoses to the pump, filter & carbie and crossed my fingers in the hope that it would start.
One quick turn & it fired up straight away & ran like a charm! What a lot of stuffing about!!
My advisor also suggested that the carbie float may have become stuck (due to little use over the last few weeks) & thus not allowing fuel to enter the carbie.
Whatever, it is back to normal & running well as it usually does.
It is all good fun - well sometimes!!
Time to consult Dr Google & my neighbourhood expert. Kevin, my good neighbour who knows everything about classic cars, came & we went trough all the possibilities. He felt that the problem was lack of fuel & by testing the flow of petrol from the inlet hose thought the fuel pump may be the problem.
I think that I replaced this pump when I first got this car but it didn't take long to take it off-just the two bolts.
I undid the 6 screws holding the pump together & found that all the parts seemed in good order with the diaphragm intact with no splits or problems. In fact, it was in pretty good condition. I did replace the O ring as the original one seemed a little stretched. Then I just screwed it back together & refitted the pump.
To ensure that there was sufficient fuel in the carbie, I attached a hose to the inlet & with a small funnel, poured in about a quarter of a cup of fuel. Then, I reattached all the fuel hoses to the pump, filter & carbie and crossed my fingers in the hope that it would start.
One quick turn & it fired up straight away & ran like a charm! What a lot of stuffing about!!
My advisor also suggested that the carbie float may have become stuck (due to little use over the last few weeks) & thus not allowing fuel to enter the carbie.
Whatever, it is back to normal & running well as it usually does.
It is all good fun - well sometimes!!
Tuesday 16 December 2014
Capri - Ignition Switch
After little activity over the last two weeks, I could not get my green 1600 Deluxe to fire up. More of that story in a future blog. In the process, the ignition switch became very loose so I thought I would clean it up and tighten the assembly. The photos show the switch and how it fits into the steering wheel console.
To get to this stage, just undo the LH bolt securing the steering wheel to the dash as the plastic lug holds the console in place. Loosen the RH nut a little as this gives a little more movement. There are two screws on the side of the console holding it together & they need to be removed.
Having it out, I thought I would clean it a little & put a few squirts of WD40 around the key & switching mechanism. So I could assemble it correctly, I marked the two sections with black marker pen as in the photo.
Little did I know that after a few squirts of the magic stuff, both marks rubbed off & I was then confused how it went back together correctly. The metal switch had numbers for the wiring but the plastic bit had nothing. Great! If this didn't go back together correctly, all hell would break loose in the wiring department.
I consulted all my manuals, parts books & nothing helped. I used the wiring diagram to list all the wires & their locations but not a lot of help. What next?
Having a second Capri can be very useful at times so I should be able to look at it & that will tell me easily. I undid the plastic bits & surprise, surprise!!. The switch was a completely different unit (RH photo). See the photos. So between 1970 & 1972, that was a change that was made.
Back to my initial problem - how does this go back together correctly?
Looking at both sections, I noticed there is a small ridge on both sections so I figured if this was aligned it would be correct. I looked carefully at the placement of all the prongs & connectors & it looked pretty right. In fact, when you look carefully & try the different positions, it will not align properly so really there is only one correct way. It is just that no one tells you this or prints it in any manuals (that I could find!).
After pushing it securely & reconnecting the battery leads, there was no smoke & everything worked OK, except the car still did not start. That is another story.
So the moral of this blog is - either mark better or take good pictures of how things go together & you will save heaps of time.
To get to this stage, just undo the LH bolt securing the steering wheel to the dash as the plastic lug holds the console in place. Loosen the RH nut a little as this gives a little more movement. There are two screws on the side of the console holding it together & they need to be removed.
Having it out, I thought I would clean it a little & put a few squirts of WD40 around the key & switching mechanism. So I could assemble it correctly, I marked the two sections with black marker pen as in the photo.
Little did I know that after a few squirts of the magic stuff, both marks rubbed off & I was then confused how it went back together correctly. The metal switch had numbers for the wiring but the plastic bit had nothing. Great! If this didn't go back together correctly, all hell would break loose in the wiring department.
I consulted all my manuals, parts books & nothing helped. I used the wiring diagram to list all the wires & their locations but not a lot of help. What next?
Having a second Capri can be very useful at times so I should be able to look at it & that will tell me easily. I undid the plastic bits & surprise, surprise!!. The switch was a completely different unit (RH photo). See the photos. So between 1970 & 1972, that was a change that was made.
Back to my initial problem - how does this go back together correctly?
Looking at both sections, I noticed there is a small ridge on both sections so I figured if this was aligned it would be correct. I looked carefully at the placement of all the prongs & connectors & it looked pretty right. In fact, when you look carefully & try the different positions, it will not align properly so really there is only one correct way. It is just that no one tells you this or prints it in any manuals (that I could find!).
After pushing it securely & reconnecting the battery leads, there was no smoke & everything worked OK, except the car still did not start. That is another story.
So the moral of this blog is - either mark better or take good pictures of how things go together & you will save heaps of time.
Tuesday 9 December 2014
Ford Capri - Clutch Cable
I have been meaning for some time to buy a spare clutch cable. These seem to break at the most inopportune time so having one in the car can sometimes be handy.
I recently purchased this NOS Quinton Hazell cable from the UK for $33.50 including postage, which I considered to be a pretty good price. It was delivered to my door in just over a week. Much cheaper than buying it locally and also illustrates the variety of NOS available in the UK.
I recently purchased this NOS Quinton Hazell cable from the UK for $33.50 including postage, which I considered to be a pretty good price. It was delivered to my door in just over a week. Much cheaper than buying it locally and also illustrates the variety of NOS available in the UK.
Friday 28 November 2014
Ford Capri - Where are you?
As this blog approaches 5,000 views, I would really like to hear from some of you who live in other countries but are keen Capri followers.
The blog has had visits from viewers who live in the USA, Australia, France, United Kingdom, Thailand, Russia, Venezuela, South Africa, Germany & Slovenia.
I didn't realise that there are people in these countries who still are interested in the old Capris so let me know your story.
Regards
Ian
The blog has had visits from viewers who live in the USA, Australia, France, United Kingdom, Thailand, Russia, Venezuela, South Africa, Germany & Slovenia.
I didn't realise that there are people in these countries who still are interested in the old Capris so let me know your story.
Regards
Ian
Ford Capri V6 Sale - Update
An update on the sale of the white Capri V6 that I wrote about previously.
After the first week on EBay, it didn't reach the reserve & was passed in for $30,100.
After week two, it was passed in at $28,600.
Soon after it was red-advertised in week three, it was withdrawn from sale.
There are some unconfirmed rumours that it sold for about $35,000.
A very good result if that is correct. I guess it confirms that buyers will still pay top money for quality restorations.
A further update!!
This car is back for sale on EBay. The seller states this is because the buyer did not produce the cash. It will be interesting to see what it sells for this time.
After the first week on EBay, it didn't reach the reserve & was passed in for $30,100.
After week two, it was passed in at $28,600.
Soon after it was red-advertised in week three, it was withdrawn from sale.
There are some unconfirmed rumours that it sold for about $35,000.
A very good result if that is correct. I guess it confirms that buyers will still pay top money for quality restorations.
A further update!!
This car is back for sale on EBay. The seller states this is because the buyer did not produce the cash. It will be interesting to see what it sells for this time.
Sunday 23 November 2014
Capri Club Christmas Breakup 2014
Our Capri Club had its annual Christmas breakup this weekend with a good attendance of members and cars. We had about 25 people at the celebration held at Harrigan's Hotel at Jacob's Well which is half way between Brisbane & the Gold Coast. It was a beautiful summer's day, pretty warm but with a nice sea breeze at the venue.
There was a good variety of cars- 7 Capris of different models, 2 Escorts, 1 Landau and a Focus RS. The yellow RS3100 took out the best car trophy with the red Mark 1 being the runner up. As you can see, the cars look great & with a good variety of colours. They are all a credit to their owners as the Mark 1s are now between 45 & 42 years old.
Here are some pictures of the cars.
(click on pics to enlarge)
There was a good variety of cars- 7 Capris of different models, 2 Escorts, 1 Landau and a Focus RS. The yellow RS3100 took out the best car trophy with the red Mark 1 being the runner up. As you can see, the cars look great & with a good variety of colours. They are all a credit to their owners as the Mark 1s are now between 45 & 42 years old.
Here are some pictures of the cars.
(click on pics to enlarge)
Tuesday 11 November 2014
Ford Capri - V6 For Sale $45,000
I saw this car advertised on EBay last night.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Capri-GT-3000-1971-2D-Sedan-3-SP-Automatic-3L-Carb-/171538403620?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item27f07c5124
It is a local car but unknown to me and seems to have been restored really well but the price is interesting.
I am not sure that there will be many takers at the Buy Now price of $45,000.
We will see!
Wednesday 5 November 2014
Capri - V6 Engine Rebuilding
Last Saturday, the Capri Club members were very fortunate to
be able to visit the shed of our Vice- President, John. John would have to be one of the most knowledgeable
people in Australia on Capris and his experience with rebuilding Capri V6
engines is legendary.
The term, his shed, is a bit misleading as John’s shed consists of a complex of many sheds. He resides on the outskirts of Brisbane on acreage so has plenty of room to house his cars & machinery. Every part of the complex is filled with engineering equipment & tools, plus the odd very valuable Capri.
For our visit he asked us, in advance, what we would like to see. So, three topics were settled on.
Firstly, how the engine dynamometer works. John had spent hours setting up a V6 engine ready to show us but the night before a simple seal went and he was unable to do the demo. However, we were still able to see how everything was set up and what was recorded during the test.
Next we were shown how a crankshaft was balanced, as well as all the engine components i.e. pistons, conrods etc. His machine is able to indicate where weight should be added or removed. All very time consuming but essential in building high performance engines.
Finally, he gave a demo on measuring airflow. Various head were used to indicate the difference in how air circulates within the engine and what can be done to maximise this.
A very interesting afternoon and this is just John’s hobby not his real day job. He has a vast knowledge of Capris and is very willing to share this with other Capri enthusiasts. Thank you, John.
Here are some pictures from the day and from a car meet later on in the afternoon held at the Woolworth’s car park at Morayfield.
The term, his shed, is a bit misleading as John’s shed consists of a complex of many sheds. He resides on the outskirts of Brisbane on acreage so has plenty of room to house his cars & machinery. Every part of the complex is filled with engineering equipment & tools, plus the odd very valuable Capri.
For our visit he asked us, in advance, what we would like to see. So, three topics were settled on.
Firstly, how the engine dynamometer works. John had spent hours setting up a V6 engine ready to show us but the night before a simple seal went and he was unable to do the demo. However, we were still able to see how everything was set up and what was recorded during the test.
Next we were shown how a crankshaft was balanced, as well as all the engine components i.e. pistons, conrods etc. His machine is able to indicate where weight should be added or removed. All very time consuming but essential in building high performance engines.
Finally, he gave a demo on measuring airflow. Various head were used to indicate the difference in how air circulates within the engine and what can be done to maximise this.
A very interesting afternoon and this is just John’s hobby not his real day job. He has a vast knowledge of Capris and is very willing to share this with other Capri enthusiasts. Thank you, John.
Here are some pictures from the day and from a car meet later on in the afternoon held at the Woolworth’s car park at Morayfield.
Capri - Crazy Price for Mirror
Check out the price that this original genuine Ford Capri-Escort-Cortina went for - $1677.
Yes, you read correctly $1677!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GT-mirror-x-1-genuine-Ford-suit-Capri-Escort-Cortina-left-right-fitment-A1-/291279733425
Note there were only two bidders who went crazy on the auction.
I am not sure what they are trying to achieve but that is way over my budget for any restoration.
Cheers
Ian
Yes, you read correctly $1677!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GT-mirror-x-1-genuine-Ford-suit-Capri-Escort-Cortina-left-right-fitment-A1-/291279733425
Note there were only two bidders who went crazy on the auction.
I am not sure what they are trying to achieve but that is way over my budget for any restoration.
Cheers
Ian
Monday 27 October 2014
Capri - Perana Capri
Really interesting feature in the latest Unique Cars (Australian Issue 368) about the Basil Green Capri Peranas. There are also stories about a Cortina Perana and a Granada Perana.
The engine bays look a bit different to my 1600 Kent motor. I suppose it doesn't hurt to dream!!
Sorry, but the photo did not scan very well.
The engine bays look a bit different to my 1600 Kent motor. I suppose it doesn't hurt to dream!!
Sorry, but the photo did not scan very well.
Capri - Goodna RSL Car Show
I have been away for a few days, hence no blogs.
On Sunday, I had a free morning so I decided to visit the Goodna RSL Car Show (near Ipswich). This has become an annual event and attracts quite a few monetary prizes ranging from $250 to $1000. The show is held as part of the Jacaranda Festival (the Jacarandas are in full bloom in the background of some of the photos) and there are a host of other attractions on the ground. This show attracts an eclectic mix of cars ranging from full blown show machines to original classics. The prize money is spread across all these categories.
I drove my green Capri and parked between a lovely slightly modified deep blue E type Jaguar and a red Fiat Bambino. There was another V6 Capri, a swag of convertible Capris, a very original Escort Rally Pack and an original Escort rally car - to mention just a few of the Fords.
Here is few photos from the day.
(Click to enlarge)
On Sunday, I had a free morning so I decided to visit the Goodna RSL Car Show (near Ipswich). This has become an annual event and attracts quite a few monetary prizes ranging from $250 to $1000. The show is held as part of the Jacaranda Festival (the Jacarandas are in full bloom in the background of some of the photos) and there are a host of other attractions on the ground. This show attracts an eclectic mix of cars ranging from full blown show machines to original classics. The prize money is spread across all these categories.
I drove my green Capri and parked between a lovely slightly modified deep blue E type Jaguar and a red Fiat Bambino. There was another V6 Capri, a swag of convertible Capris, a very original Escort Rally Pack and an original Escort rally car - to mention just a few of the Fords.
Here is few photos from the day.
(Click to enlarge)
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