Ke35 Build

[Infy]

Hey Everyone,

 

Figured I would start a build thread, considering it has turned into more of a build than just a buy and drive.

 

So I've already started a thread which a few of you have already thankfully helped me with, but I believe starting this thread (WITH PICS!) will be a more suitable place for everything.

 

This is how I bought it, As some of you had seen the ads you will recognize these photos.

 

 

Seller informed me all it would need was the water pump put on, tail shaft installed, gearbox oil put in, and a radiator and hoses.

 

After it got delivered i promptly got it up on stands and started on the small list to finish her off.

 

And that's when i noticed that the lowness wasn't from proper springs

 

 

Installed everything, put the battery in to crank her up and it was just slow turning over.... fun begins.

 

Got a sparky mate around to help with electrics because that isn't my forte, redid the negative terminal to ground, and checked the resistance of the wires to the starter and engine ground.

 

All checked out, shorted out the starter to double check that all seemed clear, but decided to pull it off and get it checked out anyway.

 

Wasn't the starter....

 

After a bit more advice I pulled the motor out,

 

 

and started to tear it down to see why it was binding up and so hard to turn over.

 

As soon as I pulled the flywheel and put the motor on the stand it loosened up a lot, could even turn it by hand, but would still bind up a tiny amount.

Flywheel

 

Couldn't really see any marks on the wheel itself, very small amount of the rear main seal was scored but nothing major.

 

Whilst I've got the motor out and pulled down, i figured I'd get the cam done, decided to get a tighe 154 grind and the lifters refaced

 

Also getting new big end and main bearings, thrust washers etc.

 

Today I pulled the struts out to change the springs over.

 

Old vs New

 

While I had the wheels off, checked the brake pads and got another lovely surprise...

 

Thankfully I happen to have Girlocks on the front, So VN rear disk pads work in these?

 

This is a massive first post, but I was putting off writing it.

 

I've also got twin SU's on the way

 

Have some extractors to get from a mate from the 3k off my old ke30 2door sedan that is still sitting on stands...

 

There is a couple things that I'm missing that I could use some help with if anyone knows where to look.

 

I need a passenger side front seat belt stalk looks like this

and also a rear drivers side.

 

Also if anyone knows where to get the coupe weatherstrip and the strip between the windows?

 

And that is pretty much up to date for now, I was hoping to have the motor rebuilt this weekend, but the bearings are all down in NSW and need to be posted up here, so hopefully I can have her on the road in the next two weeks.

 

sorry for the wall of text, future updates should be smaller.

[Clapped out]

Great first post! And yeah your car is familiar. Your engine certainly needed a freshen up anyways, pistons hitting bores isn't a good thing.

 

you'll get it sorted,

 

cheers!

[Infy]

The motor is back together, and back in the car.

 

Not the best rebuild ever but it's better than where it was.

 

Unfortunately, I still can't get the bastard to fire up..

 

Pulled #1 plug out and I have spark, there is fuel going to the carby, but it is still cranking slower than I think it should...

 

I'm at the point where I need to ask for help, because electrics is not my thing. Anyone in Brisbane that would be willing to lend a hand it would be much appreciated.

 

Cheers

[Mechanical Sympathy]

That's a pretty little coupe - sorry to hear you've had some troubles with it but it looks like you're well capable and enthused to fix them.

 

Ebay can be good for those tricky little trims, rubbers and pieces as these cars still have a large following in Asia and they continue to make a lot of those things new. I have a few eBay searches saved to make it easier to find new items.

 

Rare Spares also stock some KE35/55 stuff so their website is worth a browse.

[Infy]

Cheers, I think the colour works pretty well, not normally a fan of green, although I did have a olive green mk 2 escort.

 

I think I will have to take a trip yo rare spares once she is on the road.

 

Bloke from work gave me the idea to try and clutch start it, means I have to fix the breaks first then give that a try.

 

If she starts then I'll look into a new high torque starter.

 

I've seen a few of the ebay listings, it's just hard to be sure that you are buying the right rubber when there is two called almost the same thing.

 

How often do the rollaclub guys go out driving?

[B.L.Z.BUB]

 

How often do the rollaclub guys go out driving?

 

I'd say a few of us will be at All Jap Day on Sunday.

[Infy]

Damn, I was hoping I had more time to sort this out before then.

 

Guess I'll come and get some inspiration instead.

[Infy]

So bit of an update,

 

Finally pulled my finger out and fixed the brakes up with the new pads.

 

ordered the window dividers and a bailey channel seal through rare spares so with any luck that should arrive sometime next week or so.

 

car is off stands and now sits firmly on the ground, need to get a couple more things for roadworthy.

• Seat belt stalk to suit ke35 for passenger front possibly rear also
  
• Flasher Can
  
• Wire up a horn button as I can't be bothered trying to figure out why the steering wheel one won't work
  
• Possibly change the drivers headlight
  
• Get the bastard started
  

So not a great deal left to do to finally get her on the road.

 

My twin SU's arrived today need to take a look at them and organize to pick up some extractors then get the rest of the exhaust made to suit, but this can wait until after she is running and registered.

 

If anyone could help out on where to obtain or has any of the things I need please PM me.