concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
5/21/12
Valve covers and catch can came!!!!
Valve covers and catch can came!!!!
You may not know me, but i have problems. (SCCA Solo SMF Escort content)
- Thread starter concealer404
- Start date
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
6/20/12
Pictures should be fixed....
Some more progress. Having an issue with steering wheel going back on column. If i bolt it down, as you turn the wheel, it's catching on the turn signal and tripping that. Any input from anyone?
STILL need MX3 LCA rear bushing brackets. I will pay anyone $50 for a set of 92-94 MX3 LCA rear bushing brackets.
Cleaned the interior up some:
Finished mocking up the rear end. Sleeves are getting turned down this week, so i'll tighten everything back there this coming weekend.
(Pictures make the car look rustier than it really is. It's all just surface rust, brake lines will be replaced.)
Dark picture of the whole rear with tie brace installed:
Crossmember and some mounts installed. Minor fitment issues with the side mounts. (My fault, i didn't send the brackets with the mounts to be fitted.) I can fix them. Crossmember drilled for AWR Probe front mount.
Question: In this picture, you see the driver's side mount and the bracket it attaches to on top of the box. The bracket attaches to the bare metal portion in the right hand side of the picture, and offers a second "plane" for the mount to attach to for a 3rd and 4th bolt. How necessary is this bracket? Mount would still have the two bolts up top of that "beam."
Delrin bushings installed:
Pictures should be fixed....
Some more progress. Having an issue with steering wheel going back on column. If i bolt it down, as you turn the wheel, it's catching on the turn signal and tripping that. Any input from anyone?
STILL need MX3 LCA rear bushing brackets. I will pay anyone $50 for a set of 92-94 MX3 LCA rear bushing brackets.
Cleaned the interior up some:
Finished mocking up the rear end. Sleeves are getting turned down this week, so i'll tighten everything back there this coming weekend.
(Pictures make the car look rustier than it really is. It's all just surface rust, brake lines will be replaced.)
Dark picture of the whole rear with tie brace installed:
Crossmember and some mounts installed. Minor fitment issues with the side mounts. (My fault, i didn't send the brackets with the mounts to be fitted.) I can fix them. Crossmember drilled for AWR Probe front mount.
Question: In this picture, you see the driver's side mount and the bracket it attaches to on top of the box. The bracket attaches to the bare metal portion in the right hand side of the picture, and offers a second "plane" for the mount to attach to for a 3rd and 4th bolt. How necessary is this bracket? Mount would still have the two bolts up top of that "beam."
Delrin bushings installed:
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
Updates!!!!!
7/14/12
Tore down the motor for the Escort.
Despite a surprising amount of carbon build up and dirt, the motor itself looks great and is exactly as advertised. I'm excited.
7/14/12
Tore down the motor for the Escort.
Despite a surprising amount of carbon build up and dirt, the motor itself looks great and is exactly as advertised. I'm excited.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
7/22/12
This looks kinda fun.
12:1 Wiseco forged pistons on Scat mustang stroker I-Beams with ARP fasteners. Clevite race bearings, ARP head bolts, and some stainless steel custom exhaust manifold flanges.
Got a new set of heads yesterday as well. Stock oval-port Millenia heads with the square top cam caps and updated valvetrain locks. This is rapidly becoming the ultimate "mutt" motor.
This season: KLZE bottom end, Millenia heads with KLZE cams, MX3 trans.
Next season: KLDE block, KLG4 crank, Mustang rods, MX3 trans, late 626 heads w/ Neon dual springs and retainers.
This looks kinda fun.
12:1 Wiseco forged pistons on Scat mustang stroker I-Beams with ARP fasteners. Clevite race bearings, ARP head bolts, and some stainless steel custom exhaust manifold flanges.
Got a new set of heads yesterday as well. Stock oval-port Millenia heads with the square top cam caps and updated valvetrain locks. This is rapidly becoming the ultimate "mutt" motor.
This season: KLZE bottom end, Millenia heads with KLZE cams, MX3 trans.
Next season: KLDE block, KLG4 crank, Mustang rods, MX3 trans, late 626 heads w/ Neon dual springs and retainers.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
8/7/12
New valve seals came in, should have many more parts coming in the next couple days. Interprep valve springs ordered, and have two sets of solid lifters with shims on the way.
And finally got my lower control arm rear bushing brackets sorted out. Pretty?
I got 99 problems, but limpdick HLAs ain't one.
New valve seals came in, should have many more parts coming in the next couple days. Interprep valve springs ordered, and have two sets of solid lifters with shims on the way.
And finally got my lower control arm rear bushing brackets sorted out. Pretty?
I got 99 problems, but limpdick HLAs ain't one.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
8/21/12
Interprep springs arrived.
Checked on my heads at the machine shop. (And dropped off the valve seals, Interprep springs, solid lifters, and a set of CZT 218 race cams.) Oh, did i forget to mention the cams earlier?
Cleaning up the motor. It was NASTY.
Interprep springs arrived.
Checked on my heads at the machine shop. (And dropped off the valve seals, Interprep springs, solid lifters, and a set of CZT 218 race cams.) Oh, did i forget to mention the cams earlier?
Cleaning up the motor. It was NASTY.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
8/20/12
New water pump, and a "Beck Arnley" brake master cylinder.
Nice "Beck Arnley," bro.
New water pump, and a "Beck Arnley" brake master cylinder.
Nice "Beck Arnley," bro.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
Picture dump of front assembly.
Hitting the ground. Big thanks to Thymighty for the help!
Threw it on a trailer to take it to where it'll be finished.
Hitting the ground. Big thanks to Thymighty for the help!
Threw it on a trailer to take it to where it'll be finished.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
8/24/12
Spent yesterday wrestling with shift linkages. UGH.
Had to move the Pace****ter adjustable over to the MX3 linkage, which at some point had had its bushings removed and the bolt/pin hammered flat. Had to grind it out, then figure out how the hell the Corksport bushings work. (I'm not buying that kit again, it's not complete) Ended up with Delrin bushings in the shifter, Corksports on the trans end, and ES stabilizer bushings.
Just need to grab bolts/nuts today to put it all together.
Took some measurements in the bay... the Griffin radiator will be mounted forward of the support, coolant overflow tucked in driver's fender, oil catch can mounted in front passenger fender where a/c and PS stuff used to be. Going to have TONS of room in this bay. Excited!
Race car kit?
Spent yesterday wrestling with shift linkages. UGH.
Had to move the Pace****ter adjustable over to the MX3 linkage, which at some point had had its bushings removed and the bolt/pin hammered flat. Had to grind it out, then figure out how the hell the Corksport bushings work. (I'm not buying that kit again, it's not complete) Ended up with Delrin bushings in the shifter, Corksports on the trans end, and ES stabilizer bushings.
Just need to grab bolts/nuts today to put it all together.
Took some measurements in the bay... the Griffin radiator will be mounted forward of the support, coolant overflow tucked in driver's fender, oil catch can mounted in front passenger fender where a/c and PS stuff used to be. Going to have TONS of room in this bay. Excited!
Race car kit?
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
8/27/12
Updates from the weekend!!!!
Installed new clutch master cylinder. No pictures, but this sucked pretty bad.
Rebuilt the shifter assembly and linkages.
Note that this car has already suffered a "dropped shifter."
Sandblasted some things. (Then painted them, but forgot pictures.)
Put shifter back in car. (Has to come back up, the linkages are UNDER the 4-point brace up front. Durrrrrrr)
Steering rack was installed. (And picture is REALLY out of focus. FAIL.) Got two big brass plugs from Lowes for the rack, had to cut the fittings off the lines and fill them with metal putty to use as plugs, since i couldn't find any metric fine thread bolts locally, quickly. It works, lookes fine.
Tie rod setup works!!!! Also installed front Corksport brake lines. Didn't do rear yet since i may have to replace the rear hardlines.
Removed a BUNCH of stupid little brackets from the front of the car that will no longer be used. (I love wire wheels.) I repainted the ground down spots, but apparently forgot to take a picture. Oh well.
My helper in action.
Disassembled one of my alternators to clean it up, decided to get a little crazy with the baskets.
Then managed to get 21.999mpg out of the Cherokee on this fillup!
Updates from the weekend!!!!
Installed new clutch master cylinder. No pictures, but this sucked pretty bad.
Rebuilt the shifter assembly and linkages.
Note that this car has already suffered a "dropped shifter."
Sandblasted some things. (Then painted them, but forgot pictures.)
Put shifter back in car. (Has to come back up, the linkages are UNDER the 4-point brace up front. Durrrrrrr)
Steering rack was installed. (And picture is REALLY out of focus. FAIL.) Got two big brass plugs from Lowes for the rack, had to cut the fittings off the lines and fill them with metal putty to use as plugs, since i couldn't find any metric fine thread bolts locally, quickly. It works, lookes fine.
Tie rod setup works!!!! Also installed front Corksport brake lines. Didn't do rear yet since i may have to replace the rear hardlines.
Removed a BUNCH of stupid little brackets from the front of the car that will no longer be used. (I love wire wheels.) I repainted the ground down spots, but apparently forgot to take a picture. Oh well.
My helper in action.
Disassembled one of my alternators to clean it up, decided to get a little crazy with the baskets.
Then managed to get 21.999mpg out of the Cherokee on this fillup!
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
8/28/12
Didn't get a TON done today... Rockauto sent me the wrong brake master cylinder AGAIN, and it seems to be unavailable pretty much anywhere. Not sure what i'm going to do about it. They sent me the right cylinder, but wrong reservoir.
Threads were dicked up in the hub on this corner, took a good 45 minutes just to get the caliper on the hub snugly. Also: i hate this pad retention design. So stupid, and not real great for braking, either. Fiddly.
Sandblasted and painted the headlight mounting brackets before re-installing them after Cody set me straight. Cleaned up alternator, will reassemble on Wednesday.
Didn't get a TON done today... Rockauto sent me the wrong brake master cylinder AGAIN, and it seems to be unavailable pretty much anywhere. Not sure what i'm going to do about it. They sent me the right cylinder, but wrong reservoir.
Threads were dicked up in the hub on this corner, took a good 45 minutes just to get the caliper on the hub snugly. Also: i hate this pad retention design. So stupid, and not real great for braking, either. Fiddly.
Sandblasted and painted the headlight mounting brackets before re-installing them after Cody set me straight. Cleaned up alternator, will reassemble on Wednesday.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
9/5/12
No progress over the weekend, was out of town helping to move a warehouse.
Got some bad news from the machine shop on Friday, concerning something that i should have caught beforehand.
My cams were ground down so much that they can't take up the lash safely on a shim-over-bucket design. I need either shim-under or shimless buckets. I'm out of money, so i'm just going to put the HLAs back in and only spin it to 8500 for now. I'll use Zetec shimless buckets on the next iteration when the 12:1 bottom end goes together.
Picking up heads today, going to try to get the HLAs rebuilt this evening.
Rear driver's caliper that RockAuto sent me is defective. Piston won't go in the caliper far enough to clear the pads. This caliper was purchased a year ago, RockAuto will not do anything about it due to time. Lesson Learned: Do NOT EVER buy parts in advance from RockAuto.
Also figured out what to do about the master cylinder issue. Just going to use an EG Civic remote reservoir for the clutch master cylinder. Easy. (Thanks goes to Atomic for this tip!)
Gonna be a busy week, the goal is to have the motor and trans in the car by Sunday.
No progress over the weekend, was out of town helping to move a warehouse.
Got some bad news from the machine shop on Friday, concerning something that i should have caught beforehand.
My cams were ground down so much that they can't take up the lash safely on a shim-over-bucket design. I need either shim-under or shimless buckets. I'm out of money, so i'm just going to put the HLAs back in and only spin it to 8500 for now. I'll use Zetec shimless buckets on the next iteration when the 12:1 bottom end goes together.
Picking up heads today, going to try to get the HLAs rebuilt this evening.
Rear driver's caliper that RockAuto sent me is defective. Piston won't go in the caliper far enough to clear the pads. This caliper was purchased a year ago, RockAuto will not do anything about it due to time. Lesson Learned: Do NOT EVER buy parts in advance from RockAuto.
Also figured out what to do about the master cylinder issue. Just going to use an EG Civic remote reservoir for the clutch master cylinder. Easy. (Thanks goes to Atomic for this tip!)
Gonna be a busy week, the goal is to have the motor and trans in the car by Sunday.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
9/7/12
I think i'm pretty much done with Mazdas after this thing...
Worked on it all day yesterday.
Out of 36 HLAs out of 4 heads, (The exhaust side on the ZE heads i'm not using is 33mm instead of the 31mm i need.) i got a total of 19 good ones. So the rest are soaking in gasoline right now, i'll rebuild them tonite i guess. What a ****in' pain.
Then:
1) Realized that i hadn't shimmed the oil pump before i put the oil pan on. Yay.
2) Found that both bolt holes for the timing belt tensioner are stripped. Also yay.
Did get some work done in the last two days, though, much as it doesn't look like much.
Disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled an alternator. Oh, and sandblasted and painted the basket like a ricer. I think next time i may just buy a new alternator. This wasn't the most fun job in the world.
NOS oil pan installed. (And has to come off again.)
Got these.
So this happened.
My buddy "clearancing" the driver's side trans mount.
DAYUM.
Heads are going on today, and hopefully rest of accessories. Will run tomorrow morning to grab my hoist and then motor goes in.
I think i'm pretty much done with Mazdas after this thing...
Worked on it all day yesterday.
Out of 36 HLAs out of 4 heads, (The exhaust side on the ZE heads i'm not using is 33mm instead of the 31mm i need.) i got a total of 19 good ones. So the rest are soaking in gasoline right now, i'll rebuild them tonite i guess. What a ****in' pain.
Then:
1) Realized that i hadn't shimmed the oil pump before i put the oil pan on. Yay.
2) Found that both bolt holes for the timing belt tensioner are stripped. Also yay.
Did get some work done in the last two days, though, much as it doesn't look like much.
Disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled an alternator. Oh, and sandblasted and painted the basket like a ricer. I think next time i may just buy a new alternator. This wasn't the most fun job in the world.
NOS oil pan installed. (And has to come off again.)
Got these.
So this happened.
My buddy "clearancing" the driver's side trans mount.
DAYUM.
Heads are going on today, and hopefully rest of accessories. Will run tomorrow morning to grab my hoist and then motor goes in.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
9/9/12
Anyways...
Ran into another issue or two... Seems i didn't bring up the rear trans mount bracket. Broke another two bolts off into the block. Not going to worry about it.
Annnndddd.... this **** ain't fitting under the hood.
Full update with more pics later!
Anyways...
Ran into another issue or two... Seems i didn't bring up the rear trans mount bracket. Broke another two bolts off into the block. Not going to worry about it.
Annnndddd.... this **** ain't fitting under the hood.
Full update with more pics later!
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
9/10/12
Alright, let's get caught up here from the weekend.
Rebuilt some HLAs.
Griffin Radiator FTW.
Stripped tensioner bolt holes.
Here you can kindof see how far the timing belt tensioner bolt holes had to be opened up before a tap would take.
Annnddd... the hole that i drilled through the water jacket. Oops.
Porcupine motor!
Porcupine motor with head gaskets.
Oh look, heads!
Cams removed for torquing ARP head studs.
Detail shot of the beautiful heads Schmidt Automotive did for me.
Torquing studs.
BAM.
Issues/things encountered in no particular order:
1) Have misplaced rear trans mount bracket somehow.
2) Broke off bolt into front trans mount bracket. 3 will be good enough.
3) Seem to have misplaced a shoulder nut thing that holds on the other idler pulley. Oops.
4) The factory throttle cable will require NO MODIFICATION. All i need to do is make a bracket to hang off the rear valve cover for the pivot. Length and routing is already perfect.
5) There will be pretty much nothing in the driver's side of the bay.
6) TONS of space. Installing the fuel stuff will be EASY.
7) Upper radiator outlet will be interesting to deal with...
Anyone have input on how to do the radiator hoses?
Alright, let's get caught up here from the weekend.
Rebuilt some HLAs.
Griffin Radiator FTW.
Stripped tensioner bolt holes.
Here you can kindof see how far the timing belt tensioner bolt holes had to be opened up before a tap would take.
Annnddd... the hole that i drilled through the water jacket. Oops.
Porcupine motor!
Porcupine motor with head gaskets.
Oh look, heads!
Cams removed for torquing ARP head studs.
Detail shot of the beautiful heads Schmidt Automotive did for me.
Torquing studs.
BAM.
Issues/things encountered in no particular order:
1) Have misplaced rear trans mount bracket somehow.
2) Broke off bolt into front trans mount bracket. 3 will be good enough.
3) Seem to have misplaced a shoulder nut thing that holds on the other idler pulley. Oops.
4) The factory throttle cable will require NO MODIFICATION. All i need to do is make a bracket to hang off the rear valve cover for the pivot. Length and routing is already perfect.
5) There will be pretty much nothing in the driver's side of the bay.
6) TONS of space. Installing the fuel stuff will be EASY.
7) Upper radiator outlet will be interesting to deal with...
Anyone have input on how to do the radiator hoses?
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
11/5/12
Did some more things. Full disclosure: The motor was not completely assembled last time it was in the car. It's back out, and we did things.
My buddy Chris helping me out with the head. These things are a PAIN to put together, and we didn't want to snap my extremely rare cams.
I made Chili.
I played with a Sawzall.
Made a troll-mobile.
Got an oil filter thing.
Fixed my gauge cluster. Are you proud?
Got sick of Rockauto sending me the wrong brake master cylinder. Fixed it.
I has a motor.
Realized i should probably start selling these.
Hung out with my cat.
Carved a pumpkin.
Drank some beer.
Got some lines. (-6, -8, and -10)
Got a backup plan.
Found a base 323 in the junkyard that i took a whole bunch of interior things out of. Some hybrid stuff is happening in the Escort. Thinking about doing a full dash swap.
FINALLY finished the steering column bull****. What a terrible job to do by yourself, and not enough space for a helper.
Terrible picture of current state of engine bay. Removed a few more things. Probably going to shave off a bunch of those studs.
And now: Current issues/questions!!!!
1) Rockauto lists the wrong parts necessary to rebuild the intermediate shaft on a 1992 MX3 GS. Soooo..... BOUNTY TIME!!!! I need a 3-bolt intermediate shaft WITH the cage thingy that bolts onto the block. I will pay $50. Would prefer one in good shape, since i apparently can't get the parts to rebuild it. (CrazyCanadian is first in line currently)
2) QUESTION: There's a few plugs in the ECU area that seem to feed into the body harness. The ECU and engine harness are out of the car, and are NOT returning. There's 3-4 plugs back in that are that the engine harness plugged into. What are these? Are these just gauges? Are any of those going to keep the car from running or working if they aren't plugged in? I'm NOT using any of the factory gauge cluster, it has been removed.
3) A question i should have asked a long time ago, but didn't think about it until reading 300zxrb26dett's most recent suspension stuffs: Will my EGT sways still work even though i had Jim make my arms to MX3 lengths? (Obviously, i haven't gotten around to messing with the endlinks yet.)
Did some more things. Full disclosure: The motor was not completely assembled last time it was in the car. It's back out, and we did things.
My buddy Chris helping me out with the head. These things are a PAIN to put together, and we didn't want to snap my extremely rare cams.
I made Chili.
I played with a Sawzall.
Made a troll-mobile.
Got an oil filter thing.
Fixed my gauge cluster. Are you proud?
Got sick of Rockauto sending me the wrong brake master cylinder. Fixed it.
I has a motor.
Realized i should probably start selling these.
Hung out with my cat.
Carved a pumpkin.
Drank some beer.
Got some lines. (-6, -8, and -10)
Got a backup plan.
Found a base 323 in the junkyard that i took a whole bunch of interior things out of. Some hybrid stuff is happening in the Escort. Thinking about doing a full dash swap.
FINALLY finished the steering column bull****. What a terrible job to do by yourself, and not enough space for a helper.
Terrible picture of current state of engine bay. Removed a few more things. Probably going to shave off a bunch of those studs.
And now: Current issues/questions!!!!
1) Rockauto lists the wrong parts necessary to rebuild the intermediate shaft on a 1992 MX3 GS. Soooo..... BOUNTY TIME!!!! I need a 3-bolt intermediate shaft WITH the cage thingy that bolts onto the block. I will pay $50. Would prefer one in good shape, since i apparently can't get the parts to rebuild it. (CrazyCanadian is first in line currently)
2) QUESTION: There's a few plugs in the ECU area that seem to feed into the body harness. The ECU and engine harness are out of the car, and are NOT returning. There's 3-4 plugs back in that are that the engine harness plugged into. What are these? Are these just gauges? Are any of those going to keep the car from running or working if they aren't plugged in? I'm NOT using any of the factory gauge cluster, it has been removed.
3) A question i should have asked a long time ago, but didn't think about it until reading 300zxrb26dett's most recent suspension stuffs: Will my EGT sways still work even though i had Jim make my arms to MX3 lengths? (Obviously, i haven't gotten around to messing with the endlinks yet.)
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
11/6/12
Oh yeah... i paid Ludwig Motorsports for the Haltech stuffs, coils, Racepak IQ3, install, and the sensors and such i needed on Friday. That hurt, but should be worth it.
6 of these: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=46
This with the long flying lead: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3
This: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=34
This: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=146
This in 150psi: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=39
This: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=42
And he's going to make me some custom plug wires.
Oh yeah... i paid Ludwig Motorsports for the Haltech stuffs, coils, Racepak IQ3, install, and the sensors and such i needed on Friday. That hurt, but should be worth it.
6 of these: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=46
This with the long flying lead: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3
This: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=34
This: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=146
This in 150psi: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=39
This: http://www.lms-efi.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=42
And he's going to make me some custom plug wires.
concealer404
Skanky Escorts LLC
11/8/12
Did some more things. Forgot to take pictures of the things i needed to take pictures of because i fail.
Although... i was just informed that the only electrical things i need to worry about is lights and starter. Tuner/Haltech dealer says nothing else will stop him from getting the car running. (James, i'm still going to get the pictures, i'm still interested in the schematics. It'll be Friday, gotta hit the junkyards tomorrow.)
Cleaned up the baffles.
Don't need the front one since that hole is plugged.
Shaved off the spark plug holder tabs since they interfered with the ITBs.
Test fitted the 323 stuff. Not sure how i feel about it. Doesn't fit perfectly, but i LOVE the shifter console. The center stuff isn't fitting the way i want.
Did some more things. Forgot to take pictures of the things i needed to take pictures of because i fail.
Although... i was just informed that the only electrical things i need to worry about is lights and starter. Tuner/Haltech dealer says nothing else will stop him from getting the car running.
(James, i'm still going to get the pictures, i'm still interested in the schematics. It'll be Friday, gotta hit the junkyards tomorrow.)Cleaned up the baffles.
Don't need the front one since that hole is plugged.
Shaved off the spark plug holder tabs since they interfered with the ITBs.
Test fitted the 323 stuff. Not sure how i feel about it. Doesn't fit perfectly, but i LOVE the shifter console. The center stuff isn't fitting the way i want.