CUSTOM BUILD ISSUES
Progress seems glacial at times with Editor Guido’s Project VK wagon, but we are moving forward. Much of the time has been burned chasing parts and or replacing components that have been sent and are just plain wrong. or modifying them.
That’s far from unique to this project, as I’m getting similar problems just repairing perfectly run-of-the-mill cars. I swear quality control isn’t what it used to be.
If you’re working on your car at home, you’ll strike this and it will annoy the hell out of you. Really my best advice is not to start yelling at anyone, least of all your partner. Mick’s top tip on dealing with these situations is to step away from the workbench, walk back inside, make a cup of tea, enjoy it slowly and then think about how you’ll tackle it.
Then there are issues that pop up with every custom build. For example, we have a little clearance issue with the right-hand extractor on the VK and the steering rack, which we’ll no doubt sort. It’s just a matter of taking a deep breath and staying calm.
Another way to look at it is that all the heating, bending, pushing, screaming and scratching of knuckles is all just part of the fun!
The good news is the drive shaft we ordered from Duggans a little while back is ready to be picked up, which is the last major drivetrain component. Then we can get stuck into the plumbing.
MICK’S PUZZLER
Here’s a test I want to see, between a modest-size hybrid – say a Prius – and your average gas-guzzling V8 of a similar vintage. I want the hybrid to drive flat-out around Phillip Island race circuit and the V8 to drop in behind. My guess is the latter will just loaf along and not use any more fuel than the hybrid.
I know the march in technology is a fact of life, but there are plenty of questions to be answered before we’re all happy with the result.
Here’s another: Let’s say you walk into a showroom and slap down your hard-earned $50k or so for a new car, and the salesperson tells you it will cost at least $15k more to replace the entire fuel system in five to 10 years. What would you say? ‘Bugger off ’ might be the polite version. However that’s the situation we’re in with a lot of EVs and their battery packs.
For me, recycling the old internal combustion car isn’t such a bad idea for the time being!
EA Versus ED
I read wit h interest your art icle on the EA-ED Falcon in the October issue. I have strong memories of my EA Fairmont Ghia that I ordered new and received af ter a t hree-month wait due to “production dif f icult ies”. Build qualit y was indeed poor, with a number of design faults added to t he mix.
The paint qualit y was of such a poor standard t hat af ter t wo years it was v isibly dulled and t he clear coat was lif t ing. You mentioned t he front suspension: t he geometr y meant t hat front t y res were scuffed out ever y 10,000k m and t he toe in/out couldn’t be adjusted for a f i x – or so t he dealer said.
The Fairmont Ghia also came wit h a self-levelling suspension which on the open road set up a subt le up-and-down action always g uaranteed to cause car sick ness in at least one rear passenger per journey. This system failed when going over a railway crossing wit h a loud bang collapsing t he rear end of t he vehicle.
Power windows regularly failed. I usually waited up to si x weeks for a replacement as so many were failing Ford couldn’t keep up with replacement demands.
The climate control had so few sensors as to be useless. Though as you say, t he air conditioning was good, but only if set to maximum on manual.
I parted wit h t he car af ter t wo-and-a-half years and hope t hat it is one t hat has been crushed!
I have always been a Ford supporter and had the pleasure of subsequently owning three XR6 Falcons, a BA and t wo FGs which were marvellous cars.
We also had a VL Holden Calais at t he same time as the EA and there was no comparison bet ween the t wo cars, wit h t he Calais being superior in ever y way.
“I HOPE IT’S ONE THAT HAS BEEN CRUSHED”
KEY CAPERS
Have you got a car with a physical key incorporated with the remote? We had a C43 AMG come in recently on a tow truck. It had a flat battery and when the owner tried to use the physical key (for the first time in over two decades!) it wouldn’t work. Hence the tow truck for a pretty simple issue. So my tip is to clean up the physical key, give it a quick squirt of lubricant and use it at least in the driver door and boot once a year. That will be enough to ensure it’s functioning when you really need it. replacement kits that are well worth investigating. They’ll do the job, often better, and won’t let you down.
We just removed it from a 2017 Camaro, got new springs and dampers, plus new electronic components out of the USA and the customer loves it.
I currently own a BMW 525i E39 which I am contemplating updating with a BMW 520i F10, post-2013, and seek your feedback on the marque plus a couple of specif ics. Are t he regenerative charging system on t he brakes, t he turbocharger, t he performance mode facilit y and t he elect ric powering steering reliable?
I have no interest in t he diesel variant and no need for t he increased power output from a larger capacit y motor. No power steering or alternator draining engine power is an att ract ion, part icularly on f uel costs.
are critical. And I’m not criticising BMW with this, but servicing on that later generation has to be absolutely by the book. That particularly includes using the correct lubricants.
That series does not lend itself to poor servicing in any way, shape or form. It has zero tolerance for incorrect oil. The way they manufacture the cylinder heads, for example, and the metals being used mean using the wrong lubricant will result in them seizing up.
If there is a weak point, that’s what it is. If maintained correctly, they don’t have those problems that you see out there online. For example, you see people talking about them burning oil. It’s surprisingly common to see them blowing copious amounts of smoke, but it’s down to servicing. For example, they run low ring pressure to help reduce drag, but that again places importance on the lubricant.
I’m not saying don’t buy it, make sure the service records are genuine (call the workshop) and make sure it’s properly serviced.
Rover Fan
Hi Mick, being a Pommie, I tend to like t he English classics. Early in 2023 I will be look ing for another classic car. In t he past I have had four Sunbeam Rapier’s and as much as I appreciate t hem, I am wanting a change with my next classic. I have also had a 1954 Morris Minor.
I have admired the Rover 75 for a while now, so I am leaning t hat way. I will be able to garage it. The year range would be 2000/2005 and I’m interested in t he 2.5lt V6. What say ye?