Escort Sundowner

fjw · 26-03-2007, 10:38 PM

hi guys

well, a first post for me ... I am now the proud owner of an Escort Sundowner van, and need to know a few things ... the ignition doesn't always work and it appears that heavy keys have perhaps bent the barrel down causing ... is this a common thing and where would I get a new barrel (preferably nos, not a reproduction) or is there a simple fix?

Is there anything else I need to know about the MkII Escorts?

exciting times ....

cheers fj.

T_Mark · 27-03-2007, 01:32 PM

Key barrel is quite an easy fix, I think some cortina's and falcon's possibly used the same type. Check out eBay and if you want a heap of information on escorts check out this forum, http://classicford.mine.nu/forum/default.asp
Plenty of handy info there.

R0BD0G · 27-03-2007, 04:50 PM

wasnt one of the 2 on eBay last week was it

John-Paul · 27-03-2007, 10:24 PM

Hi fjw

you can use an ignition barrel from an XC Falcon, maybe XD, XE or XF. I had one fitted to my MK II after failure of the original. It was damaged when the car was stolen, just over a year later it shorted while travelling at 100 kmh on the mitchell fwy in Perth. You really don't won't that to happen as a major meltdown occurred and I was very lucky the whole car didn't go up in flames. The positive battery lead melted it's insulation and burnt through the plastic fuel line because of the starter motor engaging. Oh ! did I mention it cost me a starter motor, not a pretty sound at 100 k's

:

cheers

John-Paul

fjw · 28-03-2007, 01:22 AM

yep, its the ebay one ... on its way to Perth ... thanks for the tips guys, the excitement is increasing daily!
cheers fj.

digiozz · 03-04-2007, 12:37 AM

hey i nearly bidded on that one too, i am in perth also. the only thing that stopped me was thati have actually had one before...a guy here in perth restored it to immaculate condition and i bought it years ago but unfortunately had to sell it due to a bad relationship grrrrrr dont ask. anyways that one looks like its in pretty good shape, you will enjoy it (ps i have decal graphics somewhere if they ever fade out)

R0BD0G · 03-04-2007, 04:44 PM

is it the dodgey looking one or the pine lime one

fjw · 04-04-2007, 01:39 AM

thanks digiozz, its on its way West! let me know if you wish to sell the decals, feel free to email me at frentw at hotmail dot com - i'm starting to collect bits and pieces and intend to hang onto it for a while. i remember driving an '80 2 litre GL and was mightily impressed by the grunt, the "hot knife through butter" gearchange and the great ride/handling combo. Unfortunately, i need to reduce my fleet (lack of undercover space) so am selling a schmick dead original Renault 16TS and a schmick dead original UC Torana!

yes Kermit, its the pine lime ... the good one!

cheers, f.

digiozz · 04-04-2007, 01:45 AM

i mean, i have the graphics for the decals, 1:1 scale....just need to tae them somewhere to be printed on that pastic decals paper stuff...you know what i mean haha

fjw · 04-04-2007, 10:23 AM

LOL!!! oops ... silly me! will have a real close look when the car gets here, i do want to keep the car as original as possible, the pics look fine, but you can never quite tell til you see the car in the flesh, after all, it is nearly 30 years old!
cheers f.

digiozz · 04-04-2007, 01:28 PM

yerp, just let me know (plus i have had to find them on a disk)

are you or have you joined any of the escort clubs in perth?

the guy who built my sundowner years ago also rebuilt one of the very rare original MK1 RS2000s belongs to a good club, i am thinking of maybe joining that one

P100 Ute · 09-04-2007, 06:48 PM

theyres a neat as sundowner few streets from me.
heres my attempt to photo it with my fone when i spotted it on the road.
cbf going to their house and photo it but i know where its parked.

R0BD0G · 10-04-2007, 07:52 PM

thats like exactly the same as urs fjw isnt it like same colour and stuff

fjw · 11-04-2007, 12:45 AM

hi guys
yep, same colour scheme (good work with the phone too!), this one looks lowered and has aftermarket mags, mine is stock stock stock! haven't thought about joining a club yet, my plate is full at the mo, and am already a member of the WA FE-FC Holden Car Club with a stock (what else?) FC sedan ... also have a Triumph Spitfire (and one for spares), a Renault 16TS and a Virage, a UC Torana with a genuine 62000kms and a Volvo 850 wagon ...

There is a '78 Escort Sundowner on carsguide.com.au in Perth for 6k, the phone photo is more than likely it!
cheers, f.

digiozz · 11-04-2007, 06:04 PM

that car you saw was my old car.....it was in mint perfect condition when i had it, not sure what its like now....hope they looked after it

digiozz · 11-04-2007, 06:12 PM

those mags are RS escort mags also...very hard to find, wish i had them back for my RS2K i just bought

wow you have a lot of cars mate haha....i dont have the room to keep that many unfortunately...although i do collect diecast cars too and they all take up one big room haha

fjw · 11-04-2007, 11:30 PM

Ah, so thats where those wheels come from! Well Digiozz, I think you're a damn sight smarter than me - I've just cottoned on the the idea of diecast models being a much better and cheaper way to get the car you want without rego, maintenance and space issues with trying to store them undercover! I have the Torana and the Renaults for sale so the rest of the fleet will be undercover as room is a little tight ... the Sundowner has arrived, its supposed to be dropped off tomorrow. It originally came from Pinjarra way as it had MY plates on it. Getting just a tad excited!

digiozz · 12-04-2007, 11:30 AM

aaaaah very cool....i would be excited too, hell my rs2000 arrives next week i am excited. then the fun part getting the bugger registered. yes mate, diecasts are great...in one room i have probably 400 cars haha...plenty of room for more!!!

fjw · 12-04-2007, 11:11 PM

well, its arrived and its even better in the flesh!

all works well, apart from an electrical glitch (any advice appreciated) - the spotties come on when the interior light is put onto 'door' (even though it has no courtesy switches) and the spotty switch is on - and the headlight flasher doesn't work. The left high beam is cactus, so will fix that first, then check fuses and earths ... I have asked the previous owner in case it was a mod, as I'll have to correct that before it goes over the pits.

Decals and seats are great, am already lovin' it - I do need a cover for the rear fluoro and spare ... any hints on where to get one (apart from ebay)??

aaahhhhhh ..... fjw.