ideas?

John-Paul · 24-03-2007, 07:33 PM

Hi Guys

well my 1st post having recently come across the site whilst digging up info on my 1980 Mk II RS2000. To be honest I have been soul searching and tearing myself apart over the sale of my Escort. Please bear with me on this one as I explain.
The reason for selling was because I have arthritis in my rh wrist, shoulder and Lh ankle. This makes driving the Esky in anger very difficult and my partner thinks I should sell it and the Subaru Forester putting the funds towards an easier daily drive. I bought my RS in 1982 at the ripe old age of 21 and have hung onto all these years until it became a classic and then I would spec it up to compete in the Classic Adelaide. It needs a repaint and some rust repair on the firewall and a few dents knocked out. It has never been in an accident. I managed to add a few things to it over the years to make it a more enjoyable drive.

Specs:

Vented front discs with Volvo 264 4 pot calipers, larger bore M/Cyl and std rear drums

Adj Koni's all round, 1 1/2" lowered front springs, reset rear leafs, tramp bars, roller bearing strut mounts, nolathane bushes and quickrack

Type9 5 spd with short throw stick

F15 Simmons Wheels 15”x 7” running 195/50 tyres

4/2/1 Pacemaker extractors into 2 ¼” pipewith a Genie S/S turbo muffler and Genie S/S resonator.

Momo Race steering wheel and gearknob

I need to reupholster the Scheel seats, mainly the drivers side as the saddle is all sacked out. I emailed 3 UK firms over a month ago regarding a power steering kit as used on rally cars and no reply. I thought that maybe if I could get a really nice power steering kit that I could live with the gear changing. It's a hard decision because I love to drive but can't drive like I used to and I also hate the idea of selling the car to some kid who may write it off or destroy its authenticity.

What do you think? finish it or sell it? At least I know there are people here that appreciate the model.

cheers

John-Paul

Regs RS · 25-03-2007, 12:45 AM

as a child of the 60's I lusted for a 2dr rallypac esky, when the laser was intoduced I was deverstated. I thort Escorts would go on forever. Finerly on the pretence of teaching my teanage son to drive in a proper car my wife has let me my part with 8k last october for a 1980 RS2000 2door. Its the only car since my AP5 Valiant that talks to me, and if you pass another Escort on the road the diver falls out of there car waving to you. There truly is a brotherhood here. My son has taken to the Escort like a duck to water & is fully involved with its tuning & servicing, the only problem being I think she might go to good for him. At the age of 43 its the only thing i have ever driven that after a good set of well known corners I have a tear in my eye, but only with greendays "welcome to paradise" to acompany the note of the 2" exaust you will never know another car with sole like this

RSgerry · 25-03-2007, 12:51 AM

I dont know of any power steering kits for the Escort, but did you try emailing Burton Power? I have heard that they have a good reputation. If the lack of power steering is the main driver for you selling the car, then I would think seriously about getting someone to engineer something for you. Maybe it is possible to adapt a power steering kit from a late model small car to fit??? It is obvious you love this car. It would be a shame if you had to part with it over something simple. You will regret it forever. Good luck.

JamesR · 25-03-2007, 03:34 PM

would installing a 'quick rack' be helpful if a power steering unit cant be adapted?
it wont make the steering any lighter, but it might make turning a bit easier..

John-Paul · 25-03-2007, 08:43 PM

Hi Guys

I'll answer in this way:

Regs RS: an AP5 Valiant that talked to you :evil_laug oh the memories, I promise not to tell anyone. I remember one of my mates father had one and it was a push button auto, very trick. The Esky does have soul and after the best part of a million kms in it I could really spin some yarns, tall... yes! but true.

RSgerry: Power steering isn't the only reason seeing as I need a wrist, shoulder and ankle replacement. I haven't emailed Burtons because I didn't see a Pwr Strg kit in their pricelist. I'll have a closer look through my Classic Ford mags and on the web. Roly Waters from Racetune in Perth put me onto the idea of the power steering.

JamesR: I already have a quickrack and hell I could never go back to a std rack.

I actually drove the RS today and it was fun even though I can barely walk after using a clutch. I went down to SuperCheap to get some spark plugs and an indicator globe and wouldn't you know it the ruddy immobiliser spits the dummy. Thats it I think to myself and with the only tools on me being the nail clippers in my change purse I set to isolating the ignition. Not too bad considering I didn't install it. I had the immobiliser installed to get it registered in WA, it's compulsory. The only hassle was tracing the wires back to the starter motor relay. A little trickery with that one as it was installed after I had the ignition barrel short at 100 kmh, engaging the starter motor and thus igniting a nice little fire, 18 mths post to having the ignition barrel damaged when the car was stolen. I now have an XC Falcon ignition barrel.

I ended up tuning the Esky and it's running resonably well as i have a guy really interested in buying it. He is waving 5K in my face which has me thinking but not convinced.

cheers

John-Paul

RSgerry · 26-03-2007, 12:01 AM

If Rolly suggested power steering to you, I am sure there is something he might be able to do for you. He installed a pair of radiator fans on my old Sierra XR4 that came off a Pulsar. They were a perfect fit. He is under the pump a bit ATM, but I am sure he could think of something. Maybe something off a Sierra???? That might fit.

John-Paul · 26-03-2007, 12:36 AM

Hi RSgerry

I spoke to Roly only yesterday and part of the problem is that i now live in Canberra so i have to try and sort stuff on the east coast

cheers

John-Paul

EvilEsky · 27-03-2007, 11:58 AM

Dont sell it! OMG OMG OMG, id kill for an RS, if you sell you will regert it! Such a Lovely car and classic one as well! Keep it, but go buy somthing else, an al cheapo car, as a run about that would be good for you to drive! What about KA power sterring,the engines are the same apart from the carby part! lol! so maybe that could fit with little or no work!

EvilEsky

Aussie_Escort · 27-03-2007, 11:11 PM

Hey,

You can get power steering kits from the uk. They come up on e-bay every now and then. Actually here are 2.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Corsa-elec-pow...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Power-steering...QQcmdZViewItem

Speak to Rolly, i'm sure he would be able to get one in from one of his contacts in the UK. Or you can try tony at ERR. They are both in Perth though. You could also try Geoff at eurospeed.

And maybe some of the part suppliers in the uk. Burtonpower, small ford spares etc.

Here's a whole heap of part suppliers. There maybe someone in here.

http://www.rsmotorsport.com.au/forum...opic.php?t=266

Hope some of that helps mate and don't sell the escort!! You'll regret it 2 weeks after selling!!!

Cheers,

Aussie_Escort

John-Paul · 27-03-2007, 11:52 PM

Hi Aussie Escort

thanks for the links. I was relying on my Classicford magazines and emailing firms in the UK was unresponsive. As late as 2004 I was still towing a boat with the Esky, albeit a small one. It has now officially hit retirement from being a workhorse and if I can spec it up as a good daily drive then I'll do it.

cheers

John-Paul

Aussie_Escort · 28-03-2007, 12:58 AM

No worries mate.

You could also try these two forums.

http://classicford.mine.nu/forum/default.asp
http://www.rsmotorsport.com.au/forums/

No matter what the question someone on either forum will have an answer. They are great!

Cheers,

Aussie_Escort

Aussie_Escort · 28-03-2007, 03:03 PM

Or maybe contact this guy.....

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?t=116505