The Project

[Perko]

Source of the oil leak looks like the sump AGAIN. Not sure whether the gasket got pinched, it was overtightened, or whether the sump is warped somehow. Not a lot has escaped but enough that it is pissing me off. Such a simple job and obviously I have screwed it up. Budget for the month has been allocated to hoodlining and interior. So next month the gearbox will have to be done.

[Perko]

Took the hoodlining out and had the material redone. Pretty happy with the job. Reinstall was straight forward. Very happy with how a simple job like that transforms the interior. Just waiting for some speakers for the wrecker for the rear parcel shelf and all is good. So that is really the interior finished.





So the last picture shows the drivers seat is higher than the passenger seat. Yep I know the camera angle makes it worse than it should but getting into the driver's side is definitely different. Is there a cure for this?

The other one is that I thought that the original XR8's had a machined alloy finish to their rims. Is listed in articles. However my rims look like they have clear that is starting to come off. Would they have been sprayed after the process. Just asking as next week starting on the wheels and paint work.

[Perko]

Had to clean out the shed today in preparation for the start of our renovation work. Special thanks goes to our own Minister of Finances, Tony, for making this process a reality. Slab for part of the shed going down this week so had to move the EB. wasn't sure how it was going to go as it has been almost 12 months since I have even touched the car. Just been sitting under the covers.

Battery was dead as expected. 3 litres of fresh fuel, jumper leads and BANG straight into life. Cannot believe how bullet proof this car is and how reliable it has been. Moved it around the side of the shed where it will stay for the next 10 days. Park brake is a little seized and trans oil a little low. Not a real drama because once the slab is down the Falcon is on that baby and we are back in action!

Decided to bring Vader around to meet Big Red. Just makes me wish that Ford had not dropped red as an option for the FGX. Would have been a dream to have them side by side with the same colour. Regardless still very proud to own these two icons. Thanks Ford for the memories. Both past, present, and those yet to come.

[Perko]

Well the reality is that "Mr Pool" has had no love for nearly 2 years now. This has been due to a couple of very trying years on the home front. Very happy to report that a bit a stability has returned so I can start getting back to some therapy time for me and the EB.



First thing is to get Mr Pool on the hoist. Needed a new battery to start. A few seconds to turn over and he fired back into life! I still can't get over how easy this car is. No love, nothing. Starts first time, air con blasting, and we move him onto his new home for a while. Once up on the hoist I had a chance to have another good look around and start the list of jobs. There are a few, but nothing really major. The plan is to start from the front and work my way to the back. Budget on spending a bit each month. That way I can keep the costs under control, but also budget small amounts of time to each job to do it properly.



First job was to clear the old coolant, and replace the overflow bottle with a new genuine item. Since this car is so original I will be replacing parts with as many genuine items as I can. Gave Mr Pool a good flush then cleaned the engine bay. A few spider webs and wasps nests removed and all was looking good.



This car still had the original bonnet lining. It was looking a little worn so I took it off for a respray. Good to see Ford spared no expenses when spraying the cars! Must have had a shortage of red paint when they did my bonnet. The lining was a little brittle so I had to take extreme care when taking off and refitting. However I was pretty happy with the end result.



The engine bay is now back to where it needs to be. Next week's job has already been planned and one I have been wanting to do for a while.

[FTe217]

Good on you Perko, another nice Ford pair !
I can imagine the times come along that the projects have to be placed on the shelf - thats normal unless your loaded !
My 2nd son is actually on me about doing a project car - I would do it for his future use but 3 things for now have this subject on the back burner.
1. $$$$$$
2. Time
3. The space.

[Perko]

Good on you Perko, another nice Ford pair !
I can imagine the times come along that the projects have to be placed on the shelf - thats normal unless your loaded !
My 2nd son is actually on me about doing a project car - I would do it for his future use but 3 things for now have this subject on the back burner.
1. $$$$$$
2. Time
3. The space.

Yeh the first two are killers. It surprised me actually how quickly the time went between doing something on the car to now. For me dollars and time have been the two biggest constraints. Work stability has been an issue over the past two years so mentally probably not in the best place to be working on the car. But now there is light at the end of the tunnel and I am now keen to get back on tools. Each job has been listed and budgeted so I know that it will take a while to get it back to where I want it. Luckily Mr Pool in is great knick for his age so the jobs are many but pretty minor. I am keen to do nearly all the work myself so it will take a while. Some of the paint repairs I am also keen to have a run at. They are small so if I bugger it up I can always get a pro to fix it.

[FTe217]

Good to hear the work front has settled for the better for you.

[Perko]

Starting from the front and working to the back is the plan for Mr Pool. Can't get any more front then the bumper.



Whilst in OK condition, two of the front brackets have rusted off. So off with the front fibreglass member.



This also gave me a chance to clean the front end up a bit more and make sure the radiator etc were in good condition.



I managed to find 2 brackets off a wreck that were in pretty condition as you can't get the parts new. Tried sandblasting today for the first time. The parts came up a treat so gave them a quick lick of Ed China satin black to finish them off.




Unfortunately the medium I got today was good enough for the metal but not enough for the bumper bar and lower lip. I have decided have a go and repaint the bar. So that job will have to wait a couple of weeks as I am away with sporting commitments. So the bar went back on and reconnected everything. Small job but one I have been wanting to do for ages.