mk6 Escort Cabriolet ... My first project that I'M Welding.

[Nashy]

Hi all,
I'm about to start another rolling resto/project BUT this time I'M doing the welding myself.
I'm throwing myself in at the deep end (for me at least it is) by doing the first 2 jobs as the rear wheel arch replacement panels (both sides) & the rear chassis legs/rails (again both sides).
Does anyone know IF these chassis sections are available & if so, how much (roughly) and where from, as I can't seem to find any.
OR would it be a lot easier to make them up myself? If so what thickness steel would I need to use, for it to be safe & MOT passable?
I'll post some photo's up when I start doing the welding, as I need to sort the torch out on my Draper 135AT Turbo.
Here are a selection of photo's showing why the 1 side chassis needs replacing (after a small mis-hap whilst towing a neighbour on a sprung bar - they hit the brakes too hard, instead of letting the bar brake for her) ...

 

[stuvy]

you could make the repair panels yourself easily enough

try avenue panels 01933 313 945

or buy a wreck from the scrappers cut the part out you need and weld the complete leg into it.

Before all of that id go through the entire car as thats alot of damage on a mk6 escort

 

[Nashy]

The other rear chassis leg is rotten as well ... the exhaust hanger mounting arm (normally solid in the chassis leg) is coming out with the backbox and rubber still attached.
And the lip on the rear arches can sust be 'picked' off without any effort at all needed there. Most definately.

You say to get the chassis legs cut out of a scrap car ...as It's a cabriolet, would I need to find another one, a 2 door or would I get away with a 5 door hatchbach?

CheeRS,
Aaron.

 

[Engineer1964]

I could tell that was a ford, just by looking at the 1st picture

 

[stuvy]

Thats right Gerry there wasnt AS much rust to qualify it as a landy

To be brutally honest, is the car special to you? Do you want a project to work on for a few months?

If no to both cut your losses and look for something else as if the fronts that bad my guess is the floor pan, sill, front and rear bulk head are going to be pretty much the same.

whats the body like? perhaps you could save the wings door interior and find another cheapy cab as there cheap as chips in the winter

As for getting another shell to cut the bits out of I very much doubt this a rare gartrac or 909 ford so more than likely cut your losses.

 

[Nashy]

This is what the car looks like now ... Photo's are good at not showing up problems...

 

[stuvy]

it looks on the surface a nice car have you had a look underneath it yet? espeically the sills and boot floor

 

[octo0072000]

as Stuvy said
plus bulkhead under fuse box and battery box inner wings front cross member
get the carpets out first if the back end is as bad as it look the front end and floor will be bad too

 

[Nashy]

I will have to wait for a dry day (that could take a while in the UK ) and get the carpets out & have a good look over it.
Cheers for the advice,
Aaron.

 

[stuvy]

Hi nashy, have you looked into the car in detail yet?

 

[Nashy]

as Stuvy said
plus bulkhead under fuse box and battery box inner wings front cross member
get the carpets out first if the back end is as bad as it look the front end and floor will be bad too

The engine bay is rust free ... as far as I can see.

 

[Nashy]

Hi nashy, have you looked into the car in detail yet?

It's been raining virtually non-stop since, so I haven't had the chance as yet.
Also I have accidentally given myself another welding job ...
The Throttle or Carb Linkage jammed open, sending me into a spin resulting in me ending up in a hedge (luckily at a slow speed) ...

 

[Robotstar5]

It's been raining virtually non-stop since, so I haven't had the chance as yet.
Also I have accidentally given myself another welding job ...
The Throttle or Carb Linkage jammed open, sending me into a spin resulting in me ending up in a hedge (luckily at a slow speed) ...

Ouch!

 

[stuvy]

lucky boy! that could have ended so much worse!!

nice to see a cortina on the road still and heading for the bangers or grass trackers

 

[Nashy]

My new Torch has arrived today, so I'm hoping to get my MIG up and running (or welding to be more precise. Lol) tomorrow.
My local Ford dealer lists the chassis parts that I need (just over £90:00) all in (not including my Trade Discount).

They are checking the availability of them and they will phone me to let me know if they are still available.

 

[Nashy]

The escort has now gone.