|
Post by airforceone on Apr 2, 2011 14:00:00 GMT
Well time to get started. Just bought this 1.8 Ghia, had to travel all the way down to Newcastle for it, can't complain only £480 and it handled really well on the drive back up. Think I'll play the death march as I drive it into the garage to start the strip. The engine bay is a bit dirty but all the bits I'm after were in really good condition. (Engine mounts, cooling hoses, battery tray, wiring-everything works). . Just waiting for my engine crane and stand to arrive and then I'll begin. Will post as many pics as I can, never done anything like this before so I'm looking forward to it. AirForceOne.
|
|
|
Post by nigel on Apr 2, 2011 20:42:53 GMT
Remember to loosen of the drive shaft nuts while its on wheels nigel
|
|
|
Post by airforceone on Apr 4, 2011 19:36:00 GMT
Thanks Nigel, will do.
I'm currently trying to source some rear Hubs from a focus which is proving dificult, the scrappy was full of focus cars all missilng there rear suspension legs, obviously due to the growth of MEV cars being built. Which is a good thing.
I am having trouble visualising how they work with the drive shafts. I have ordered the alloy setup for the front so I am sorted there, so if anyone has pictures of the rear setup it would be a great help.
Crane and engine stand coming 2moro so should have some more pics of engine removal soon.
AirForceOne.
|
|
|
Post by brownie on Apr 4, 2011 20:23:54 GMT
If you are using the alloy hubs in the front, you don't need the rear focus ones. You need the focus front hubs to fit to the rear of your rocket . Don't forget the rocket is the reverse of the focus I.e the running gear in the front of the focus will be in the back of your rocket and vice versa. This is why you are confused about the drive shafts fitting the rear hubs - its because they don't. Hope this helps mate.
|
|
|
Post by airforceone on Apr 4, 2011 20:40:03 GMT
So everything I remove from the front goes on the back, once it's had a good clean. I've bought some refurb'd rear calipers will these fit on the front bracket.
|
|
|
Post by brownie on Apr 4, 2011 20:54:35 GMT
sorry mate should have specified except for the brakes. The rear calipers still go on the rear. As for the front brakes most people go for the wilwood or hi-spec calipers, not sure if the focus calipers fit on the front alloy uprights.
regards Gaz
|
|
|
Post by airforceone on Apr 4, 2011 21:01:01 GMT
I've ordered the HI-Spek calipers to go with the rally design alloy kit. So I should have everything I need to get the suspension set up.
Thats clarified things, I think I'm getting ahead of myself a bit. Will just wait until the donor is stripped and my kit is in the garage before I start to worry about what I've got and what I need.
Cheers Gaz.
Ned.
|
|
|
Post by brownie on Apr 4, 2011 21:09:33 GMT
No problem mate, i was confused about the same things too, but like you say it will make more sence once you have everything in front of you. here are a few pics of my uprights just for clarity tho. Rear uprights with focus front hubs/bearings(ignore the willwood clipers as i mod'd the uprights to accept them) Front uprights
|
|
|
Post by andybaird on Apr 4, 2011 21:31:59 GMT
Hi Airforceone I'm Building a sonic 7 but i I think it is much the same setup as the rocket. The parts needed are as follow Rear uprights From your rocket kit. Front Wheel Bearings from Focus. Front Hub's from Focus. Front Drive Shafts from Focus. Rear Calipers from Focus. Rear Disc's from Focus. I think this is correct. Hope this helps to get your head around it. Andy
|
|
|
Post by airforceone on Apr 10, 2011 20:04:31 GMT
Eventually started stripping the Focus. It's putting up quite a fight, rusty bolts mainly but a good 4 hours today getting rid of everything in the way of the engine, hopefully have a few things to sell on ebay. Got to get everything I need out of it and get rid of whats left by the end of April expecting my kit to be ready shortly after. Here's a couple of photo's of my progress. It's quite relaxing if not dirty work taking it apart. I'm trying to be careful around the A/C pipework as it says in the manual that it should be drained by a qualified mechanic is this correct. I know the gas used isn't to healthy. Is there any way I can do it myself.
|
|
|
Post by Andy on Apr 10, 2011 22:48:38 GMT
Hi airforceone the air con gas should be reclaimed as I think it is r134a which is harmful to you and the atmosphere I was lucky as mine was empty as the aircon rad broke when in the accident You would need the correct machine and a reclaim bottle to do it not cheap Has it got gas in as car air con leaks when not used for a long time? Andy
|
|
|
Post by brownie on Apr 11, 2011 9:56:28 GMT
You need a refridgerant handling qualification to reclaim the gas as it is an ozone depleting substance. As for being bad for your health its fine but I would avoid breathing it in any way. The greatest danger to you is that it boils off at over minus 100 deg c so if you get some on your skin for more than a few seconds you will end up with a cold burn. The law states that if you knowingly release the gas you can be fined and placed in jail. However if you have an inadvertent loss I.e an accident like putting a screwdriver through its evaperator while working, then you are safe. Wink wink.
|
|
|
Post by airforceone on Apr 15, 2011 18:38:00 GMT
Hi Guys Finally getting there with stripping the Focus, got my first good run at the wiring loom, well the boot section anyway. . Managed to get the dash stripped out along with the steering column. . Now got a boot full of stuff to fit to the Rocket kit and flog on e-bay. . Should hopefully finish stripping the rest of the wiring Loom 2moro then the Engine, Gearbox, exhaust and fuel pump by Monday then get the scrappy to pick up whats left. I know this is old news to most of you, but I can't really post anything else at the moment. Cheers AirForceOne
|
|
|
Post by airforceone on Apr 21, 2011 11:52:02 GMT
Due to having to work to support life and get money for my kit I've been a bit delayed with the strip. It is now finished or will be with the engine being removed this afternoon. I would also like to thank ford for their snakes wedding or wiring loom that has caused me so much grief. Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by airforceone on Apr 21, 2011 18:02:01 GMT
Finally finished getting the engine out, looks a bit manky but not too bothered getting a new one with my kit. Got a lot of stuff to get rid off. Time to see how much dosh I can get back from a £480 Focus (Sorry that should be £468.78, a tenner fell out the glove box when I removed it, also found a load of change). Had to cover it up as the missus was on my case and the car was looking pretty sorry for it's self. Loads more stuff to get rid off will post info as it sells or dosn't. Cheers. Jason
|
|