Update on Neil’s Mk1 Fiesta (294)

I’d been on a proper downer without my Mk1. I was almost delirious when giving it some pop and bang and playing with ‘fast cars’ on the way home from collecting it from my mates in South London.

The Tar•Ox discs and pads I ordered a while ago arrived, so Jamie and me went to the lock-up to fit them, adjust my black Bailey breather and give it a quick spanner check.

The brakes are essentially track-spec XR2 disc and pads, but I frankly need all the help I can get in the brake department, and having 260bhp ensures it’s not difficult to warm them up. They went on fine, as expected, although we did find some loose bolts. It seems the front end is struggling to deal with the stresses and strains of all the power and stiff suspension. We tightened everything up and I backed the suspension off for a softer ride.

On the drive home the pulleys started to scream. My spider senses told me it wasn’t good, as the car then struggled to rev above 3000rpm. The following day I realised it was terminal. The timing belt had moved, suffered a huge score in it and a tear for good measure. I should be concentrating on traction issues and instead I’m back to where I was. I will get a new head on there and be back on the road as soon as possible.

Still, it gives me chance to tidy up a few areas and attack it on one big hit again to sharpen the braking, handling and traction as well as the powerplant.

Thanks
Bailey Motorsport
01763 246660

Tar•Ox
0870 7772727

Tran-X
024 7665 9061

Keep up to date with the Mk1′s development, and progress on the rest of the mag’s fleet of Fords, in the latest issue

Posted on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 10:05 am under Cars, Fiesta, Neil, Staff Cars. You can subscribe to comments.