A Mk1 Fiesta 1.1L goes under the knife

23rd February 2009 • 06:48AM

Well where do I start, I have had the car for about 6 months or so, it was a perfect running Ford Fiesta Mk1 1.1L to start with but I wanted a project to do, the first idea was to go duratec and FWD but then the more I thought about I wanted rear wheel drive again so that was decided. This project will take a bit of time due to money and a lack of time to work on it but I'll keep the thread updated as I go, I've had a bit of a head start on the work as I thought you'd like to see something so here we go...

The car when I first bought it...

Then it was stripped and sent to the sand blasters, i had the engine bay and the underneath shot blasted and this is what came back.

Now there was a few bits of rot that needed attention, 2 holes on the backs of the sills, and the usual inner wings . I'd like to point out at this stage i've never done any welding in my life so i'm hoping to learn on the way. I thought I'd start on the areas that wont really be seen ie the sills, I cut the holes of rust out a bit and then plated over them, knocked the edges in a bit and skimmed over them, the welding wasn't the prettiest so i didnt photo any action shots. Now the welder is set up it should be easier from now on.

Then i decided to plate over where the reverse light was.

Now the welder is properly set up and my welding is getting neater i started on the inner wings. I bought a repair panel for the O/S but had to make the panel for the N/S, I'm really happy with the way they came out.

Action Shot

So with those done now I needed to get rid of the filler cap as the tank will be in the boot, I kept the old bit incase I wanted to put it in somewhere else.

Thought i'd try the axle in the back to see how it measured up, its a capri atlas axle and suprisingly was about the right size. The diff hits the boot floor so that was cut out.

I'm collecting parts to start the hard stuff, i.e RWD, I've got the axle, I need to buy a 4 link kit, watts linkage, gearbox. i've been given a std crossmember to use as a dummy part so i'm nearly there. A mate of mine owns a fabrication company so we're going to take the car over there one weekend so we can fabricate the tunnels etc. Oh almost forgot here.s the engine, its allegedly a 2.1 Normally aspirated cosworth bottom end, using Hart 420R Pistons, ultra light steel fly wheel, Titan Twin Plate paddle clutch, it cam with all new shells, rings, bolts to give it a freshen up. Now i'm saving up for the expensive part! The head!

I'm hoping for approx 220bhp out the engine which i think will be achievable, turbo cosworth will of course be quicker but the sound of carbs at 8-9000 rpm! well worth sacrificing a few bhp!