The MaDDeSTMaN (Ford Escort Freak) considers buying a Falcon...

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-06-2005, 03:24 PM

After discovering that the engine in my little 2L Escort requires work that I can't afford, amongst the other things that need to be fixed with that little car, I decided I might be better off getting another car that is running, doesn't have anything wrong with it and I can just drive without having to worry. A daily driver, that way also I can decide what I'm doing with the 3 Escorts we have (Mk I and two Mk IIs), and perhaps even really get stuck into one of them without it being my daily driver.

I've got a budget in the $500-$700, which I know isn't exactly going to buy me a perfect showcar, but I should be able to pick up something that is drivable with reg and at least very close to RWC (close enough so I don't have to spend too much getting a RWC for it).

So, after LuvinmyEB and I went looking through the Trading Post, it looks like a Falcon might be my best bet - an XF or an EA, we saw quite a few of them, listed as being in VGC with reg.

We're going to go and have a look at an XF tomorrow, and if it's fairly good mechanically and not far from RWC (the owner said it'll need a new windscreen and drivers seatbelt for RWC, but that it doesn't have any rust, and it has 4 new tyres on it), I'll probably get it. Doesn't bother me if it looks like crap, as long as it runs.

Anyway, the point of this (other then that a guy who swore he'd never own a "big falcon" is looking at probably buying one) is that I am looking to get a cheap car, anybody know of any other good places to look, other then the tracing post?

Oh, and if anybody from the Western Suburbs who knows what to look for when buying an XF would be able to come along and have a look with us tomorrow, that would be very much appreciated, if you can help us out, please PM me.

Thanks in advance!

EA2BA · 24-06-2005, 03:27 PM

if its an XF look for rust, and look for it everywhere, c-pillars, around the tail lights, and along the bootom of the doors.

Make sure it runs on unleaded, fuel injected are the better model, check the speedo works inlcuding the trip meter, fuel gauge will probably not work and change its mind when turning a corner that is normal.

Otherwise I had very few problems with my XF it was a carby, it was unleaded, and it went fine.

dansedgli · 24-06-2005, 03:36 PM

Surely a second hand escort engine can be had for $700? It would be better than buying another car/headache.

EA2BA · 24-06-2005, 03:40 PM

What is actually wrong with the escort motor.

LTDHO · 24-06-2005, 03:41 PM

There is a yellow XF for $1000 aound the corner from my place. Looks neat.
I can see if there is a contact number on it.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-06-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansedgli

Surely a second hand escort engine can be had for $700? It would be better than buying another car/headache.

Possibly, but then there are all the other things that are wrong with that car (electrical issues, damn you lucas, son of Satan himself, suspension, replacing windscreen, rust in passenger side c pillar that requires attention, and much more)... and I don't have the equiptment or knowledge required to fit a replacement engine, so I'd have to pay someone to do it... So before long I'm looking at it being a lot cheaper to just get another car. Besides, technically I shouldn't drive the Escort anyway...

EA2BA · 24-06-2005, 03:43 PM

4 people can lift out a 2L motor

dansedgli · 24-06-2005, 03:45 PM

Possibly all those things will be wrong with a new cheap car anyway.

I bought a manual yellow XF for $700 in RWC condition. It was awesome. Then I put a 351 in it and it was better.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-06-2005, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dellboy999

What is actually wrong with the escort motor.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=12448 Looks like it's the main bearings, and that combined with all the other problems...

dansedgli · 24-06-2005, 03:47 PM

Ill help with the swap if I get to see a decent burnout! Im looking at buying an engine crane shortly to begin on my engine conversion for the mini, I dont mind helping out.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-06-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansedgli

Possibly all those things will be wrong with a new cheap car anyway.

I bought a manual yellow XF for $700 in RWC condition. It was awesome. Then I put a 351 in it and it was better.

Yeah, true, but finding parts for a Falcon is easier and cheaper then finding parts for an Escort - and it's also easier to find a reputable mechanic for a Falcon then an Escort.

Biggoggs · 24-06-2005, 03:48 PM

An EA should go harder, but an XF is probably cheaper as far as maintainance goes. Expect to pay a bit more `maintainance' on petrol though- +1 to the unleaded post above, it saves time & money in future with additives etc.

Quote:

Anyway, the point of this (other then that a guy who swore he'd never own a "big falcon" is looking at probably buying one) is that I am looking to get a cheap car, anybody know of any other good places to look, other then the tracing post?

Heh me too, I thought my Telstar would be all I needed. Enjoy the smooth cruising, cargo ability, passenger space, and powah

Just my $0.05 to the thread

dansedgli · 24-06-2005, 03:49 PM

My 6 cylinder falcon had the oil flicker for a good 8 months of thrashing and the only reason it died was because a bolt fell in the intake and held a valve open.

Keep driving the escort until it dies a decent death save your money for later.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-06-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansedgli

Ill help with the swap if I get to see a decent burnout! Im looking at buying an engine crane shortly to begin on my engine conversion for the mini, I dont mind helping out.

Hahaha, you mean a decent burnout from the Escort, or from any car? The Escort should be able to do a decent burnout with a good 2L engine in it, considering it's manual with a 3.77:1 diff (single spinner :() - but right now, I'd be worried the engine would simply die if I tried. :(

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-06-2005, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansedgli

My 6 cylinder falcon had the oil flicker for a good 8 months of thrashing and the only reason it died was because a bolt fell in the intake and held a valve open.

Keep driving the escort until it dies a decent death save your money for later.

If it was just the oil light, I wouldn't be worried, but it doesn't sound healthy anymore either, and if definately down on power. It sounds like a tractor when idling, and that loud knocking sound coming from the engine is not good either. I could post a video with sound that lets you all know how sick (and NOT in a good way) that engine sounds now if you want.

Besides, like I wrote above, technically I shouldn't be driving the Escort at all on public roads, I want something I can drive without having to worry about if I get pulled over...

Besides, the Escort is my baby, I don't like having it out of my sight, whereas if I get something else like an XF, it won't be my baby, so I won't mind leaving it in a car park, etc.

buickman · 24-06-2005, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

Yeah, true, but finding parts for a Falcon is easier and cheaper then finding parts for an Escort - and it's also easier to find a reputable mechanic for a Falcon then an Escort.

Parts are a little harder but the Escort is a very simple car to work on mech.
The hardest thing is fitting the gear box back up after clutch replacement in 2ltr, tight floor pan in the mech dept. Panels and trim are the hardest to find & unpicking the front wings spot welds are time consuming.
buickman

Yaw · 25-06-2005, 08:18 AM

I can hear the yells from every wich way with this suggestion.
You can probably manage a *whispers this* Camira, for that kind of money.
And in all honestly probably won't be far off RWC either. Being a Camira though don't think of it as a long term thing, but just another avaenue you may wanna check out.

25-06-2005, 09:27 AM

Have you considered an N13 pulsar (late 1987 to 1992). There are a few in the tradingpost for that amount, if you can find a Vector sedan with the 1.8 would be even better. Most have powersteering and is manual.

Goodluck in your search

LuvinmyEB · 25-06-2005, 09:31 AM

The MkII is nearly FUBAR well the engine is and it really needs a respray and the C pillar fixed amongst other things, that grinding noise can't be good!!. A conservative estimate to get the esky fixed properly would be around 2k. Not really in our budget at the moment, especially after getting the EB fixed (damn that thing rocks! :nutsycuck).

The XF that were going to look at after the temperature outside rises above 2 degrees sounds like it's ok, the guy is going overseas so he's looking for a quick sell.

We've still got 3 Esky's to play with so it's not like we wont still have at least one to have a bit of fun with. :eclipsee_

If we had the money I'd be luring The Maddestman right over to the dark side and he'd be buying an E series (I6). :evil_laug

*Whispers to Yaw, we looked through the Camiras* :voldar02:

LuvinmyEB · 25-06-2005, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArgonEF

Have you considered an N13 pulsar (late 1987 to 1992). There are a few in the tradingpost for that amount, if you can find a Vector sedan with the 1.8 would be even better. Most have powersteering and is manual.

Goodluck in your search

I gave him a Pulsar when I bought the EB for his first car and what did he do? Traded it in on a MkII Escort!! It was a POS though so he got a good deal at the time.

:

deesun · 25-06-2005, 11:00 AM

Gee it's good to hear that all the problems I had when I owned Eskies waaaaaaaaay back when are still relevent nowdays.Things like the crap electrics MK1 and 11 rust in all the same places, horrible grinding noises which always came from somewhere where you didnt think they were comming from. OH the tragic life of an Escort owner.

turboute · 25-06-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansedgli

Surely a second hand escort engine can be had for $700? It would be better than buying another car/headache.

about 3-4 months ago I had the opportunity to buy a 190hp (at the fly) 2l Ecsocrt engine. (apparently only about 6mths since it was built).

That was for $700, it was sold two days later.

If only I owned an escort...

The MaDDeSTMaN · 25-06-2005, 05:17 PM

We just got back from checking out that XF... It runs well, has only one piece of rust that we could find (front drivers side 1/4 panel, and not very big), has new front suspension so it doesn't have any squeaks from the front end, 3/4 of the exhaust is new, new tyres, new starter motor (most of this stuff was still shiny, so I'm not just taking the sellers word for it), and a few other things I can't remember right now.

But, without further crapping on, here is The MaDDeSTMaN's newest ride:

Engine is a stock standard 4.1 (pre-unleaded), head was replaced 2 years ago. 3 Speed Auto, which seems to be in good condition. It may not be anything special, but it had enough power to break traction (both rears) while cornering with only a little throttle input at 20km/h.

It doesn't look great, but nothing a good cut and polish can't fix, and it seems to be great mechanically, so I think it wasn't a bad buy for $700.

For a RWC, it'll need a replacement brake pedal rubber, drivers seatbelt, and possibly a new windscreen - we'll see once it's had a good wash, it might just be dirty.

Oh, and that could be said about it in general, it needs a good wash, so it doesn't look great, but it'll only take an hour or 3 to make it look heaps better.

Nobody is going to believe that the HUGE XF is mine! :hihi:

Feathers · 25-06-2005, 05:26 PM

Have a look at all the door hinges. The plates where they weld onto the body usually crack after awhile as people lean on the tops of the doors.

LuvinmyEB · 25-06-2005, 06:23 PM

I was surprised at the condition it was in, only 1 little minor spot of rust that will take less than a day to fix. You'll definitely get a RWC without a problem before the reg runs out.

Get rid of that stone chip guard and give it a high pressure hose and it will come up looking pretty damn good, I think.

Now all of your cars have bigger engines than mine. :(

But my EB will still get the jump on your XF... catch me if you can.

:

Seriously though I think you got a good deal. Well done honey! I hope you get plenty of happy driving hours out of your new car.

:

dansedgli · 25-06-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvinmyEB

You'll definitely get a RWC without a problem before the reg runs out.

Get rid of that stone chip guard and give it a high pressure hose and it will come up looking pretty damn good, I think.

Now all of your cars have bigger engines than mine. :(

But my EB will still get the jump on your XF... catch me if you can.

:

Seriously though I think you got a good deal. Well done honey! I hope you get plenty of happy driving hours out of your new car.

:

Dont you 2 talk to each other at home?

:

Looks like a decent pickup, I hope it doesnt give you any hassles.

Feathers · 25-06-2005, 06:38 PM

Oh and a nice polish with some NuFinish will really clean up the paintwork if it's faded.

LuvinmyEB · 25-06-2005, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansedgli

Dont you 2 talk to each other at home?

:

No, after 5 years of living together we decided that replying to each others posts on the forum and emailing each other was a better form of communication.

:

Yaw · 25-06-2005, 10:06 PM

Looks good,
I had an XF and loved it, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
If you find its too big to drive due to your height, since it needs the new brake pedal rubber anyway you could always just put a block of wood on the pedal so you can reach it mate

:

LuvinmyEB · 25-06-2005, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaw

Looks good,
I had an XF and loved it, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
If you find its too big to drive due to your height, since it needs the new brake pedal rubber anyway you could always just put a block of wood on the pedal so you can reach it mate

:

Damn, logged into the wrong user account!