31 replies to this topic

[Royle_STV6]

So I've been toying with the idea for a while now as to whether I should be a sort of blog or not, well here goes, however while I will be working on my car one of my main ambitions is to see how far I can take the car (mileage wise). Which I know to some people is crazy, but why not enjoy something for yourself rather than a future investment!

 

I might as well start back at the beginning, i'd been previously saving money in the hope to purchase an ST220, with the main goal to get one of the rarer ones a saloon or estate. Well only a month before xmas 2019 saw what could turn out to be a great partnership.

 

Below is the 1st picture I ever saw of who has now become known to me and the family as Stan, he instantly had me hooked. My friend who I also work with came along for the purchase just to see what he though as he is a mechanic in his spare time. The 1st time I went out sat in the passenger, he hit a slip road, applied the right boot and that was that, he had to come home with me.

 

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A little back ground from the guy who had owned it revealed he had pretty much stored the car for 3/4 year at his place of work indoors. Ford services up to around 105k with the car sitting at 120k was good in my eyes too. His misses had pushed him to sell as they needed to get a newer family car, I was a little worried about the fact it had only covered something like 400 mile in the last 3 year, but I've now covered nearly 6k in the last 10 month, of which probably 4k in the lasy 3 month alone.

 

One of the 1st jobs I carried out was an oil and filter change along with adding some good quality anti freeze to the water system as this looked like it was just straight water. An inspection underneath showed the front subframe was rusted, along with the arms and shockers which I planned get to get changed in the future. However the main chassis was in great order with all the rust protection still in place, including the jacking points.

 

Over the spring I have carried out changing both rear wheel bearings including tidying up the area, removing the arches, painting and wax oiling the metal, painting up the brake protection plates.

 

Painting my brake calipers in a nice gold.

 

Replacing the RS copy wheels with originals powder coated in flat silver

 

Freshen up the KN air filter with a clean and re oil

 

New EVAP valve

 

Painting of the main strut and the top mounts to prevent any rusting/corrosion starting

 

New reverse sensor, now thats made life easier

 

All new bulbs in the dash

 

Second hand denso unit (What a relief to play music)

 

Removing and painting a rust patch at the base of the drivers door, quite happy with how it went

 

Before

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After

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New regulator in the drivers door not too long ago as this had only just broke

 

Adding of wind deflectors

 

Gave the lenses a freshen up

 

Before

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After, apologies for the splatting everywhere

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I know the above isn't massive in turns of mechanics work, but I had never previously worked on a vehicle, but enjoying doing bits and bats all the same

 

I think I have covered pretty much up to where I am and below is what we look like now

 

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The next in line for Stan is an update on the rocker covers, new spark plugs and manifold gaskets, at the same time I'll have the camshaft beaing caps re torqued as i can notice a faint tick which I am hoping to resolve. With another oil and filter change prior to winter kicking in.

 

Further jobs for the future

 

Tidy up the front and rear sub frames

Paint and wax oil the front arches

See how the exhaust goes in MOT, alot of rust around and hoping to update to a possible Milltek

Couple of areas need paint work mainly rear OS passenger door and bonnet

Pick up a 2nd hand front bumper as mine is cracked

 

I hope you have enjoyed the above, I think I have covered everything and I'll try and keep a monthly log of where I am and how the mileage is progressing

 

Cheers

 

Sean

 

 

[markjlev]

I do love the Loon. I have had two 😍. Lovely looking motor mate and always nice to read a thread on how the car progresses. 😊. You have done some great work so far mate. Looking forward to the next update 👍🏻👍🏻

[Helieandgareth]

Great write up and nice to see a loved car, I think you have many updates ahead, my dads was high 190s on the millage and have seen a few over 200k!

[markjlev]

White one with 160ish just been put up for sale. If maintained right they will last. They are solid engines

[Royle_STV6]

Cheers guys

Currently tidying up the brake lines, nothing revolutionary,just a clean, hammerite and wax oil but it all adds up in the end

[markjlev]

@Royle_STV6 it does add up mate and a lot of owners forget about those things. good maintenance is key. most think a "service" is all it needs 

[Royle_STV6]

@Royle_STV6 it does add up mate and a lot of owners forget about those things. good maintenance is key. most think a "service" is all it needs 

I can be quite picky tbh, I look at my front subframe and see disaster, but all that have seen underneath say the rust is not even that bad.

That's one of the bigger jobs I'll be happy when I've done, again nothing crazy. A good layer of hammerite where I can get it with wax oil on the top. Bit old skool but I know it works, thankfully the underneath of a car doesn't need to be show finish which is a bonus

[markjlev]

I know where your coming from. I will be buying replacement front and rear subframes. Getting them powder coated and poly bushes. The literally just swapping them over. Then the originals will be powder coated and stored away for when or if the need ever arises again.

[Royle_STV6]

A quick update, not been able to do much in last few week.

 

Finally added some fresh struts so my broom handle is not needed

 

Spent a day cleaning down the brake lines under the car and giving them an hammerite and wax oil

 

Before

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Super technical drying system after cleaning, thanks to the missus

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Finished article, might not look amazing but its better than nothing and should prolong the life

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Few plans going ahead over next couple of week

 

Got MOT on saturday, should be fine

Just waiting for garage to slot me in for sparks, rocker covers, inlet manifold gaskets and camshaft cap retorque

Full Sunday to myself soon which will involve oil and filter change, plus I have got some carbon wrap to go over the cracked bottom of the bumper, cant look any worse than it is

 

Cheers

 

Sean

 

[markjlev]

Nice update mate.

Looks nice under there mate. Preventative maintenance is always worth while. Too many people forget about that.

Same drying source I use mate (courtesy of my daughter 😂)

Mine is being dropped off tomorrow afternoon for a week with Steve Shardz OCD Detailing.

Its getting the full works.

[Royle_STV6]

Cheers Mark

Overall underneath bar a few bits of rust on the sills and the front subframe needing attention soon, then the car is solid, think I dropped on really well as I have seen some horror stories. 😳

But just going to aim at a job or 2 a month

Bet you can't wait for it to have a full detail 😁

[markjlev]

No mate. And anyone who knows Shardz in this community knows his attention to detail.

Its the only person I would let touch my car and have 110% faith in

[Helieandgareth]

Looking good, day to yourself sounds bliss! Not had one of them since this Covid rubbish lol

[Royle_STV6]

Passed MOT with flying colours, another year of menacing on the roads 😁😁

[markjlev]

Always a good day when it passes an MOT. It doesnt matter how well its maintained it always fills you with dread 😂