DO NOT BUY A COSWORTH!
- Thread starter bigchez
- Start date
Soldato
Bigchez, go buy a C4 Corvette, it'll run till the end of the Earth and is cheaper than a lot of cars to run on a day to day basis 
Plus there's always the potential for 250+ MPH, if you're persuasive enough
Plus there's always the potential for 250+ MPH, if you're persuasive enough
Soldato
Love Cosworths. They can go wrong, but then I doubt the OP's Mondeo was pushing the bhp envelope and the exhaust just fell of that too. If looked after, they tend to be reliable and even big powered versions can have relatively lengthy intervals between rebuilds.
Anyone who has owned a tuned Cossie has these sort of stories- I do, loads of friends do as well.
I've got the engineout of a 3dr just now- cracked block, and that was a wire-rung block with proper gaskets, running 22psi boost, RR'd at 367bhp.
It comes with the badge I'm afraid.
Still, there is nothing more satisfying than driving a 20 year old car with that sort of power that worries supercars!
I've got the engineout of a 3dr just now- cracked block, and that was a wire-rung block with proper gaskets, running 22psi boost, RR'd at 367bhp.
It comes with the badge I'm afraid.
Still, there is nothing more satisfying than driving a 20 year old car with that sort of power that worries supercars!
Right, the fault I think is in the main power wire that goes between the battery and the rest of the car, starter motor excluded. It is shorting out somewhere after the fuse as the positive side of the loom is shorted to the chassis. There are no obviously melted cables anywhere!!
Its probably a chafed wire somewhere over time, and patience to find it and a piece of cable to replace the damaged bit, the fix should be free!!
Again, its just bad luck.
Its probably a chafed wire somewhere over time, and patience to find it and a piece of cable to replace the damaged bit, the fix should be free!!
Again, its just bad luck.
Soldato
Right, the fault I think is in the main power wire that goes between the battery and the rest of the car, starter motor excluded. It is shorting out somewhere after the fuse as the positive side of the loom is shorted to the chassis. There are no obviously melted cables anywhere!!
Its probably a chafed wire somewhere over time, and patience to find it and a piece of cable to replace the damaged bit, the fix should be free!!
Again, its just bad luck.
The turbo heatshield has been known to chafe through ECU trigger wires.
Hmmm, don't think its there. The ECU itself is not getting power, rather than a lack of signal.
Soldato
Owning an older car, especially an older performance car, is a labour of love.
you'll sort out the niggles and have it in tip top shape.
Just don't lose heart.
Associate
Chez
stick with it dood! I bought a 73' Fiat 124 Abarth Stradale about 4 years ago, it had sat in a private collection for about the previos 5 years, only covering 1500 odd Kilometres. The problem is that these cars need to be driven to keep them in tip top working order, when they sit still for too long you get the problems. Anyways, one thing after another kept going, it started with small niggly things but graduated to bigger more expensive rebuilds of the head etc. At one point I thought I'd had enough, I was running a fiat abarth but with Ferrari running costs! I test drove a Vauxhall VXR 220 and had the phone in my hand to buy some no nonsense, reliable supercar performance.......but something in my head said 'no do it'
Thankfully I decided against and pulled out of the sale. It was the right decision, for the last 2 and a half years apart from servicing and tuning costs, all I've forked out for is an ignition coil £13.69. She has run beatifully with barely a glitch. Further to that Abarth prices have gone skywards and she's almost doubled in value!! The other day in deepest darkest kent, I saw some chap go past, do a 360 and follow me into a garden centre....he just wanted to discuss the abarth for about half an hour. Don't think I would got that in VX.
You just need to work out if the smile factor is worth the frustrations when it isn't running well. Mine will need new carbs at some point in the next year or so but the investment will be worth it and at least they won't need replacing for another 35 years or so
stick with it dood! I bought a 73' Fiat 124 Abarth Stradale about 4 years ago, it had sat in a private collection for about the previos 5 years, only covering 1500 odd Kilometres. The problem is that these cars need to be driven to keep them in tip top working order, when they sit still for too long you get the problems. Anyways, one thing after another kept going, it started with small niggly things but graduated to bigger more expensive rebuilds of the head etc. At one point I thought I'd had enough, I was running a fiat abarth but with Ferrari running costs! I test drove a Vauxhall VXR 220 and had the phone in my hand to buy some no nonsense, reliable supercar performance.......but something in my head said 'no do it'
Thankfully I decided against and pulled out of the sale. It was the right decision, for the last 2 and a half years apart from servicing and tuning costs, all I've forked out for is an ignition coil £13.69. She has run beatifully with barely a glitch. Further to that Abarth prices have gone skywards and she's almost doubled in value!! The other day in deepest darkest kent, I saw some chap go past, do a 360 and follow me into a garden centre....he just wanted to discuss the abarth for about half an hour. Don't think I would got that in VX.
You just need to work out if the smile factor is worth the frustrations when it isn't running well. Mine will need new carbs at some point in the next year or so but the investment will be worth it and at least they won't need replacing for another 35 years or so
My old man started his career as an electrical engineer, and now programme manages on jet fighter and defence projects - he also happens to like getting his hands dirty!!
cost will be nothing. 
(lucky as I have no clue about electrics - I don't even know how to use a multimeter really!! Wires, where they go and what they do scare me.
)If not it would go to Martin at Reyland like it did for the rebuild - he certainly doesn't scam anyone.
Chez
stick with it dood! I bought a 73' Fiat 124 Abarth Stradale about 4 years ago, it had sat in a private collection for about the previos 5 years, only covering 1500 odd Kilometres. The problem is that these cars need to be driven to keep them in tip top working order, when they sit still for too long you get the problems. Anyways, one thing after another kept going, it started with small niggly things but graduated to bigger more expensive rebuilds of the head etc. At one point I thought I'd had enough, I was running a fiat abarth but with Ferrari running costs! I test drove a Vauxhall VXR 220 and had the phone in my hand to buy some no nonsense, reliable supercar performance.......but something in my head said 'no do it'
Thankfully I decided against and pulled out of the sale. It was the right decision, for the last 2 and a half years apart from servicing and tuning costs, all I've forked out for is an ignition coil £13.69. She has run beatifully with barely a glitch. Further to that Abarth prices have gone skywards and she's almost doubled in value!! The other day in deepest darkest kent, I saw some chap go past, do a 360 and follow me into a garden centre....he just wanted to discuss the abarth for about half an hour. Don't think I would got that in VX.
You just need to work out if the smile factor is worth the frustrations when it isn't running well. Mine will need new carbs at some point in the next year or so but the investment will be worth it and at least they won't need replacing for another 35 years or so
Cheers pal! It will be worth it I hope, just got to take the rough with the smooth (and get handy with a balaclava and shotgun in post offices
)Get some pics up of your car.
TBH if and when this one goes I'll be buying a house.
Jamous said:
205 or 200 block? Mines running (occassionally!!
) a bit more than that on a 205 on a .5 bore. You can get unlucky with either though, especially the 99 Turkish 200 blocks. Concrete said:
I've heard this. Porkie that half owns the Reyland 3 door, a 996 turbo and a boxster said that his R34 cost him a fortune. If that's coming from a guy with that wedge, its a lot more than I could afford.
Nomad said:
Don't be put off - when its going well, its really, really good - just be prepared for the bad times as well!
Lashout_UK said:
I think I've bitten off quite enough here
!
Associate
quicky for now
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Soldato
^
That looks fantastic.
/Jealous.
That looks fantastic.
/Jealous.
Soldato
Bad luck Chez but it sounds like you've got a bit of your enthusiasm back.
Mine has been off the road for nearly 8 weeks now. I was getting a bit fed up with the bits that had worn out but I'm ready to get back onto it now, engine back in, get the twin carbs on, get it driving.
Sometimes you just need some time to cool off and get a level head, then you can work through it methodically until you find the problem.
Mine has been off the road for nearly 8 weeks now. I was getting a bit fed up with the bits that had worn out but I'm ready to get back onto it now, engine back in, get the twin carbs on, get it driving.
Sometimes you just need some time to cool off and get a level head, then you can work through it methodically until you find the problem.
Car or passenger?
johnny69 said:
You're right there. I'm not too fussed at the moment if it sits in the garage for a bit. It will be done eventually. I may even keep it off the road and do the rear end (ooeerrr
) restoration earlier than I planned.![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}