my MK1 MEXICO

[Captain Mitch]

Hi, your mexico looks amazing, I have a 1974 mexico that's quite nice but I'm just on with refreshing the underside and the iner flloors, I saw the black sound proofing sections on yours in the boot area and in the car it's self, looks ace where can I get it from please, thanks

[2512pf]

I'm loving the zinc kit

I would love one of those

[Jerrytom161]

Hi, your mexico looks amazing, I have a 1974 mexico that's quite nice but I'm just on with refreshing the underside and the iner flloors, I saw the black sound proofing sections on yours in the boot area and in the car it's self, looks ace where can I get it from please, thanks

Hi I will try and find out where they came from as they were with the car when I bought it . They are just black self adhesive sound deadening pads , with a film on the front that can be peeled off and painted . I went for the shell fully painted then sticking pads on , so at least the metal panels beneath had some protection against any moisture that possibly gets behind , then everything was cavity waxed with Dinitrol over the top in places that weren't accessible .. Eg inside the doors , behind fuel tank and spare wheel well and rear quarter panels . Thank you for your kind comments .

[Jerrytom161]

I'm loving the zinc kit

I would love one of those

The plating kit came from a company called Gateros plating , it's mainly chemicals and a couple of buckets , you need Distilled water , fish tank heater and pump . Crude but effective . But not cheap really around £100 dependant on what type of kit you buy .

[2512pf]

The plating kit came from a company called Gateros plating , it's mainly chemicals and a couple of buckets , you need Distilled water , fish tank heater and pump . Crude but effective . But not cheap really around £100 dependant on what type of kit you buy .

I think 100 is ok ,it should pay for itself on a complete car,

You don't have to take or pick up the parts from a specialist ,and the last time I took stuff in they lost half of it

[Jerrytom161]

I think 100 is ok ,it should pay for itself on a complete car,

You don't have to take or pick up the parts from a specialist ,and the last time I took stuff in they lost half of it

Try looking at their website and they have videos on YouTube via a link as well .i bought the kit that included yellow passivate , which gives it that yellow zinc look , Which is on the door catch plates and the bonnet catch in the photos .

[Jerrytom161]

putting all suspension and wheels back on the shell as  to get it off the transportation frame I made to enable it to be moved around at the paintshop and my garage prior to rebuild

[Jerrytom161]

fitting steering column, wiper motor assembly and heater/blower unit as well as vents and dashboard ashtray/switch console. The hazard warning light was missing when I got the car ,again I managed to find one complete with bulb holder and retaining clip .

[Jerrytom161]

The rear parcel shelf had a couple of extra holes in it for some reason in its life , the Dashboard had a tiny split in the surface above the binnacle . I managed to find a local guy who repaired both items with no problems at all and now looks like new for reasonable money  .  The next thing I did was fit the headlining (not the best kit in the world ) but nevertheless its better than what was there before and that was nothing !!!! strangely there was the sun visors in place but no headlining !!!, I also sourced a set of grab handles as these were also missing .

[2512pf]

This is getting better and better

[Jerrytom161]

The fuel tank ,boot mat , bootlid , rear bumper , bootlight and spare wheel  were all fitted next. this was followed by some of the glass and screens and brightwork after rechroming

[Mexican Gerbil]

Puts my efforts to shame. Might take it apart and try again. Next you will be showing us how to rechrome the plastic switchs and dails. Need to repair my dash top too. At the end can you list the places and shops you got bits from please.

[Jerrytom161]

this part of the build was one of my favourites,  when I chose to have one of the most defining features on the Mexico  fitted .....its "SHOUTY" loud wide stripes !!!!!! FANTASTIC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jerrytom161]

The engine I was told when I bought the Mex had been overhauled . It was a runner . I took the head off to have a look at the internals ..... to put it bluntly it was not well !!! bores 2&3 had score marks up and down the cylinder walls . so much for being overhauled . I then stripped the whole engine and took the decision to have the block bored and sleeved (due to depth of the score marks  +100" ) and it was skimmed too . The head was also skimmed and  had new bronze valve guides fitted. It was found that the head was a standard crossflow and not a GT head , so it was treated to hardened valve seats and proper GT valves fitted to original size  . The crankshaft was re-ground,balanced, mild road camshaft was fitted , along with new cam followers, all new bearing shells .timing sprockets,chain and tensioner . A nos water pump, fuel pump, high pressure oil pump were also fitted . The rocker shaft assembly was checked and looks like it had been replaced recently so was cleaned and re-used . so with all new gaskets, seals etc the engine to all intents and purposes is like a new engine . all ancillaries were shot blasted cleaned and repainted . I tracked down the correct orange coloured cooling fan as the original was wrong one  . I bought a recon starter motor and alternator . The radiator that came with the car was also incorrect  so I found out when I took it to a local rad repairer for a recore, he had one amongst his collection of old Ford rads so recored it for me . Job Done .

[Jerrytom161]

on the engine rebuild

[2512pf]

Omg this car is amazing

[Jerrytom161]

The standard 32/36DGV  carb assembly was stripped cleaned and a service kit used to overhaul it the inlet manifold was bead blasted and high temperature lacquered

[Jerrytom161]

the clocks were taken apart carefully as the single piece glass was broken when I got the car , all parts were cleaned , a new piece of glass was cut at a local glass shop. The binnacle was stripped of all the old paint then primed with plastic primer then sprayed in  satin black . I purchased a laser cut piece of aluminium in the shape of the 6 clocks and fettled it to fit , then flatted it back on a piece of wet and dry paper on a sheet of glass and a coat of matt lacquer was sprayed to seal it before fixing it to the binnacle . all the bulbs were replaced in the instrument panel before reassembly.

[Jerrytom161]

Engine was mated to the gearbox/clutch  and clutch slave cylinder fitted . this was then fitted to the front cross member once I had raised the front of the car and removed it , leaving just the struts in place , the steering rack was also left on the cross member , this was then slid in position and fitted into the bay from underneath as I was told this is the best way of fitting the engine .

[Jerrytom161]

Bonnet was the last bodywork piece to be fitted , now looks like a  sort of complete car for the first time since I have owned it .

[Jerrytom161]

The interior was next to be fitted. I made anti vibration pads up from underfelt , glued them in places where the base of the back seat cross bars would rub on the bodywork . the two metals brackets that are bolted through the metal retaining loops on the bottom of the back part of the rear seat were missing so I made up an impression mould from Bluetack to get the shape and made the brackets to suit . works really well as I couldn't find any for sale . I fitted the carpet that came with the car , its not an original moulded one piece its a stitched two piece one but will do for now until I can get another .

[logieiow]

Stunning job!

[Jerrytom161]

Finally ... After 3 and half years it was Mot time , 15th October and I was very nervous to say the least and it was to be the first time I had driven the Mexico since I owned it !!! And it passed with no advisories .. Glad I hadn't missed anything , I just got the guys to adjust the headlights and tracking , now all is good .

[Jerrytom161]

Now it's been changed to historic taxation class , agreed valuation done on the insurance . I am one very happy blue oval badge owner , and have covered a few miles before winter set in . I have been driving it on dry days since mot . There is a couple of things I want to do to it before the start of spring . I want to change the tranx plated LSD as I hate the noise it makes , the carpet i will change and kick panels ( as they are home made and look rubbish ) . I will take it to a local engine tuning company and get the timing and carbs set up properly . I have managed to find a stoneguard and fitted it recently as well. I also bought the "Ford " sill badge and have yet to fit it . I am sure I will do lots of little bits to it this year to finish it off now it's on the road .. But my main priority is to drive it and enjoy it as Ford intended .

[mark reed ford]

Excellent job and a car to be proud of.