The UnNamed Wagon's build thread - Let it begin! Work in Progress

[XFi]

Well, I had the UnNamed wagon in for PA State Inspection and Emmissions. It passed the 'smog' fine and is stickered. The only thing that the mechanic failed it for on inspection was rusted rear brake lines. I will have to buy a flare and tube/line bender kit and get after that this weekend. I will take it back after the work is done to get the inspection sticker.

While it was in the shop, I had them evacuate the A/C system (decided to be enviromentally friendly ) since I am going to be removing it.

[SVOboy]

I've forgotten, is your garage heated? I'm jealous!

[XFi]

My garage is now a 4th bedroom, but my parents garage is less than 5 minutes from my house. It is not heated, except when I break out the kerosene or electric space heaters. We were talking about insulating it and heating it, but it is only 2-3 months out of the year that it is this cold.

[XFi]

Just got back from picking up two 4x8' sheets of 1/8" clear acrylic. Had to break out my to'YO'ta, for a truck with 232k, it starts up everytime!

I plan on replacing the side door windows, rear 1/4 windows and rear windows with this. If...I mean, when I 'chop' the back end and taper it into a boat tail, I will have to redo this. But I want to get the drivetrain completed and installed prior to the body work.



Also removed the rear brake lines from the parts car. Very little corrosion on them, and sure beats having to purchase, cut and bend all of them.



Slowly, but surely.

[XFi]

Yesterday, I finished installing the rear brake lines and dropped it off at the garage.

Today, I picked it up and it now has the 01/09 Inspection and Emissions Stickers on it! Yay!

Today, I also ordered the Megan lowering springs from Ebay. These will give a 2" drop in the front and 1.75"-2" in the rear.

Going to start looking around for a '97 up 5spd trans to modify. That way the vehicle will not be 'down' for so long. I am planning on replacing the engine and trans as a unit at the same time. Plus, if I remove and install with-in a few days of each other, I may actually remember where all the wires and other attachments go.

I have already purchased a 'Pony/Fuel Saver' Transaxle from a 1st Generation Escort. This is not a direct replacement and will not work in my 3rd Gen Escort (or 2nd for that matter) without a lot of modification. I'm hoping the trans shop will be able to utilize/modify the 2.85 final drive ratio with the newer trans. I don't know exactly which way I am heading with the trans, but want to keep my options open.

[SVOboy]

Sounds like some pretty good progress. Buying junk is always the best work for winter weather?

[MetroMPG]

Congrats on the successful inspection!

Originally Posted by XFi

I have already purchased a 'Pony/Fuel Saver' Transaxle from a 1st Generation Escort. This is not a direct replacement and will not work in my 3rd Gen Escort (or 2nd for that matter) without a lot of modification. I'm hoping the trans shop will be able to utilize/modify the 2.85 final drive ratio with the newer trans. I don't know exactly which way I am heading with the trans, but want to keep my options open.

Do you have it on good advice that you're going to be able to use that final drive? Or are you blazing new trails here for the benefit of other Escort owners to follow?

[XFi]

Blindly stumbling forward!

[XFi]

Just posting some related links for my benefit and 'easy access'...


http://www.escortfocus.com/html/mileage_build-up.html
http://www.escortfocus.com

http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Forums

http://zxtuner.com/main.sc

http://mypeoplepc.com/members/tleone/gears/

http://www.car-part.com/

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12...to-the-winner/

http://forums.focaljet.com/

http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthread.php?t=583

[XFi]

http://forum.ecomodder.com/showthrea...ted=1#post5003

Brett's cap gave me a possible option for an aero rear/roofline for the UnNamed Wagon.

Boat tail with functional transformable cargo hold anyone?

Time to go play around with photoshop....