Jerrytom161 Posted January 28, 2017 Report Posted January 28, 2017 This is my MK1 Mexico after 3 and a half years after i have finished a full restoration . the photos are from when i first saw Mex in a corner in a local bodyshop to just after the Mot in october 2016. it has been a joy to do and its my first Ford motor i have owned in 36years of driving , just goes to show your never too old !!!.
Mexican Gerbil Posted January 28, 2017 Report Posted January 28, 2017 Excellent stuff. Keep the pics coming
Mexican Gerbil Posted January 28, 2017 Report Posted January 28, 2017 Where did you get your sound deadening pads from? 1
Jerrytom161 Posted January 28, 2017 Author Report Posted January 28, 2017 They came with the car when I bought it , I guess they must be a standard item . I can see if I can find out where they came from . 1
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 Thanks guys will post more photos soon , it's nice to know people appreciate what work goes into a restoration .
colr6 Posted January 29, 2017 Report Posted January 29, 2017 Looking at the pics the panel work looks absolutely mint, a very proffesional job. Should be proud to own that one. Maintaining that sort of standard throughout the build it will be one Beutiful car when done. Top marks
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 drivetrain was completely stripped and overhauled . gearbox had new main shaft and all bearings, seals gaskets were replaced . it came with Milton race short shift already fitted , so I left that and re engineered a standard Mexico gear knob to fit the thread, to keep the original look ,The standard back axle came with virtually a brand new TranX plated LSD already fitted , I had this reset by Jwe Engineering in Bexley , as when I took it out of the axle it was very notchy and didn't feel right . I checked the half shafts for concentricity and fitted new RHP bearings and seals, the axle was then reassembled with overhauled diff . the propshaft was treated to new UJ's and professionally balanced,all the brake components were replaced with new parts except the shoes as these were virtually brand new , and the original 9" drums as these were well within limits of spec. all parts were shot blasted and repainted .
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 when I bought XWC the AC oval air filter was missing , I assume someone changed it for a K&N or similar in the day . it took me nearly 2 years at the time to find a good one with no repairs needed except a shot blast and repaint complete with the original mounting bracket and spacer tubes . I also managed to find an original mexico jack and wheel brace again just needing a shot blast and repaint ,
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 I had to replace the rear leaf springs as the originals fell apart when I took them off the back axle ,the front struts were also overhauled , I used new gaz strut inserts instead of the oil filled originals ,I had to machine the new locking nuts to suit the original strut casing to stop the insert moving also made a small sleeve with a groove in it to fit over the outside diameter of the insert and the inside diameter of the strut tube at the bottom , all worked well with a bit of oil in the tube when assembled as well . I fitted Gaz rear shock absorbers too .Again everything was shot blasted and repainted .
stevegav Posted January 29, 2017 Report Posted January 29, 2017 Absolutely beautiful . Going gaz doesn't matter at all , a hidden benefit.You are doing an amazing job , love it
Mexican Gerbil Posted January 29, 2017 Report Posted January 29, 2017 Best I don't park next to you at any shows. Thought mine was good but yours is amazing. I did a similar build but didn't touch the axle ( which needs doing ). Got impatient to just drive it. 1
colr6 Posted January 29, 2017 Report Posted January 29, 2017 I don't have that problem, nobody parks next to me anyway ! .......cowards....lol
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 when I stripped what was left in the car before putting the bare shell on the rotating frame , I checked the heater/blower unit and although the matrix was fine , at some point in its life the original matrix must have leaked and rotted the original casing in several places , it had been repaired to a fashion , I wasn't happy with this so I sourced a replacement which I then stripped , shot blasted and repainted . I made a couple of replacement nylon bushes for the internal metal direction flaps and made new felt seals as well . The blower motor assembly was test run on the bench , cleaned , shot blasted, and painted . 2 1
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 Next job I tackled was the windscreen wiper/washer system . it had no foot operated wiper/washer switch as it had been taken away and an electric after market screen wash pump fitted in the passenger footwell. I managed to find a foot pump/switch with the wiring loom still attached for sensible money on E-bay ,the under dash wiring loom had several parts missing/ spliced into as I found out during the rebuild , I managed to strip the foot switch unit clean and repaint all the metal parts ,The rubber diaphragm was all ok , not perished and no leaks after I reassembled it ,, bonus !!!. I then stripped the wiper motor assembly , again checked all parts for wear , damage ,cleaned , repainted and then worked out wiring for the whole assembly to work with the foot operated switch as well as the dash switch . 1
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 Pedal box assembly was next to be given the treatment . this was totally stripped , shot blasted and repainted , there was all of the return springs missing , the slave cylinder was shot and leaked all the fluid long before I bought the Mex. I bought a replacement for this . All the plastic bushes for the pedals and accelerator were badly worn , so I manufactured all new ones from phosphor bronze bar .I managed to buy an original Ford complete pedal rubber set . once all the parts were sorted it was just a matter of reassembly .
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 remote brake servo was next . stripped completely . the servo and brake master cylinder I sent to Past Parts in Suffolk to be overhauled because at the time I couldn't find good replacements , the master cylinder bore was worn and I haven't got a lathe good enough to rebore and sleeve it. so I sent it to be sleeved and the servo I couldn't find the spares so they did this as well , it wasn't the cheapest option but they done a very good job and the service was very good .Again I made new bronze bushes to replace the worn out nylon ones on the spindles , the bulkhead concertina sealing rubber grommet proved a headache to find as well .all parts were shot blasted and painted before reassembly.
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 steering rack was stripped completely overhauled , shot blasted and repainted . new balljoints and gaiters fitted along with new tca,s and all new rubber bushes and sleeves on the rest of the steering/front suspension /anti roll bar ,
Jerrytom161 Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Posted January 29, 2017 I bought myself a zinc plating kit , as its something I have always fancied having a go at , the door striker plates had wear on the striker spindle part , so I managed to weld them back up to remove the groove and dressed them back to original diameter with a die grinder and then replated them with my new toy !!!, I did i a few other parts as well and don't think they came up too bad . I had all the brightwork rechromed professionally by a company in Ramsgate , Kent . 1
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