Stubacca's Glacier Blue 1984 LS

[stubacca]

Hi all, long time lurker, only recently registered.

I’ve had my capri 8 years!! What started out as a fix up to the MOT failure sheet list, turned into replacing and renovating far more components than I originally planned.

I'll start this thread and try to keep it updated, as I'm on the home straight to getting this car ready or an MOT, the plan is to get that sorted by the end of this summer. I’ve just, three weeks ago, got the engine running and got the car out of the garage for the first time for about 6 years.

She’s a 1984 LS, I’ve lowered it 2” front and 1” blocks rear on single leaf springs, with adjustable GAZ shocks on all corners. I’ve got a Shark Grey interior to go in, I’ve got both front and back MK2 bumpers, and looking to smooth a lot of the external details on the bodywork. 1.6 pinto, 32/36 DGV, (4 branch in the next couple of weeks), std box and diff.

Once the car is on the road, I’ll start a new project of an engine swap, but one project at a time!!

How I got her


Some of the work I’ve been up to












fitted an BMW E28/E30 316 radiator - fits like a std rad



This is how she sits at the moment:


I do keep a full log of what I'm doing for posterity on my website (http://mk3capri.co.uk).

Stu

[Peter-S]

I was just thinking a couple of the pictures looked familiar but the link explains it as I think someone popped it up the other day.
Anyway,
Some impressive work over the years, be great to see it on the road.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi Stu,
As Peter says, welcome to the forum. It's great to have you on here.
I had been following your restoration on the website for some time, however, I had feared that work had ground to a halt as it hadn't been updated for some time. I'm really glad to hear that the car is still being worked on, and look forward to more updates with your fantastically detailed photos and explanations.
The car is looking great, especially compared to how it was when you got it. Keep up the good work.

All the best,
Andrew.

[stubacca]

Thanks for the welcome chaps!

Just a tiny update, managed to tick an issue off the MOT fail list tonight, the rear number plate lights. Had to (carefully) saw the old screws out, as they were rusted solid. The lights earth through the screws that hold the casing to the car, so a set of shinny screws later we have light!!! Put some LED bulbs in, which give a bright white light, a little unsure if they're too white for the capri, but an MOT pass in any book.




I know it's only a small thing, but this has made me so happy, it's little wins like this that make me never want to finish this project!

Also got my Sportex Exhaust system delivered today, just had time to remove the old manifold and trial fit the new one.



Thanks for looking

[pbar]

Good to have you on here, I've frequently looked at your site and the pics on there. Will follow this with the same interest.

[MS Injection]

Good to have you on here, I've frequently looked at your site and the pics on there. Will follow this with the same interest.

Me too. Been watching for a couple of years. Look forward to seeing progress.

Mike

[pbar]

Seems that a few of us have been checking the site. I just stumbled across it whilst generally googling Capri stuff I think, as it appear quite high up in some of the searches. It's an excellent domain name to have by the way - mk3capri.

[stubacca]

Cheers guys :thumbs-up:

[pbar]

Don't be shy with the updates!

[stubacca]

Small update, started on the rear drums, I've been having trouble with sticking handbrake parts, so made the decision to strip them fully, and whilst I'm at it replace the shoes and springs.



Those new springs were a right sod to get on, if you look closely that is actually my blood on one of the springs as the bugger nipped me. With the lack of correct tools to replace the springs, I made my own:



Worked a treat, and allowed me to get purchase on the springs at a distance, then used a flat head screwdriver to snap them into place, just got the other side to do now.

Also the engine sounds a bit rattly around the cam on cylinder one, checked the spray bar, not blocked, but only dribbling out over No. 1 cylinder lobes. Tried to clean it out, but for the price, safer to buy a new one.



Bought myself a feeler gauge and will check valve clearances next, as this new spray bar didn't cure the rattle.

[3 Litre Power]

Change the oil looks a bit dark

[stubacca]

Well it's been a while since I've updated this thread

Moved home last year, which got me in to a good place with the Capri, everything torqued up and brakes operational, was towed from the old place to here.

With the current situation, I'm finding myself with a fair bit more time on my hands, that the Capri is finally getting the attention it needs.



This is how she stands at the moment, got some minor bits to tidy up this side then will spin her around to finish the other side. Then that's it (apart from a seized caliper). Mechanically, I completed it all several years ago.

I'm in two minds to build up and take for an MOT like this then worry about paint at a later date.

Will try to attempt to keep this thread updated

Cheers
Stu

[Caprifan Rob]

Stu, that's a lot of work you've undertaken in the last 13 years. Good to see an update on where you're at. If I was you, as the car is as stripped as it is, I'd get it sprayed now if you can. I just think if you jump the gun & build it back up for an mot after all this time you may lose the drive to strip it all back down for spraying and never get it finished. Glad to see you're that close to the end result. Thanks for the update and good luck with finishing the LS. Nice wheels by the way.

[Paul G]

Stu, that's a lot of work you've undertaken in the last 13 years. Good to see an update on where you're at. If I was you, as the car is as stripped as it is, I'd get it sprayed now if you can. I just think if you jump the gun & build it back up for an mot after all this time you may lose the drive to strip it all back down for spraying and never get it finished. Glad to see you're that close to the end result. Thanks for the update and good luck with finishing the LS. Nice wheels by the way.

Get it painted now.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Good update of your great work so far.
I agree with Rob and Paul, now is the time to get the car painted. It seems like a waste of time to put it all back together and strip the car down again after the MOT. Anyway, in my opinion, after all the work you've put in it wouldn't be doing the car justice to hit the road before it's looking it's best.


Andrew.

[stubacca]

Yes you're all probably very right. Best get some quotes in...