The Zetec 'Ropacane

[SilverBeast]

Hi Chuck,

This is a UK Special on the side that is least likely to have been rebuilt.  I'm pretty sure the other side has had repairs to the underside of the front cavity below the spare wheel.

I laid a straight steel box section across the top of my wings with the front edge at the front of the bodywork above the headlights and dropped a plumb line from the front edge. See the pictures it's clearer than explaining!

The centre of the repeater indicator, where the bulb fits, is 25mm back from the plumb line, towards the rear of the car, and 140mm below the bottom of the box section. 

Hope this helps,
Richard

[Chuck Nukem]

Hi Chuck,

This is a UK Special on the side that is least likely to have been rebuilt.  I'm pretty sure the other side has had repairs to the underside of the front cavity below the spare wheel.

I laid a straight steel box section across the top of my wings with the front edge at the front of the bodywork above the headlights and dropped a plumb line from the front edge. See the pictures it's clearer than explaining!

The centre of the repeater indicator, where the bulb fits, is 25mm back from the plumb line, towards the rear of the car, and 140mm below the bottom of the box section. 

Hope this helps,
Richard

Thank you Richard! I am in your debt! 

[SilverBeast]

Hi Chuck,

This is a UK Special on the side that is least likely to have been rebuilt.  I'm pretty sure the other side has had repairs to the underside of the front cavity below the spare wheel.

I laid a straight steel box section across the top of my wings with the front edge at the front of the bodywork above the headlights and dropped a plumb line from the front edge. See the pictures it's clearer than explaining!

The centre of the repeater indicator, where the bulb fits, is 25mm back from the plumb line, towards the rear of the car, and 140mm below the bottom of the box section. 

Hope this helps,
Richard

Thank you Richard! I am in your debt!

No problem.

[Chuck Nukem]

Lotus position #2 - Flamingo style

[GavinT]

Lotus position #2 - Flamingo style

Perhaps the proper shoes would make this easier, Chuck . . .

[BDA]

I don't think any of us want to see Chuck in pointe shoes and a tutu! 

[GavinT]

Sure we do, BDA.
Just a couple more weeks of lock down and I'm confident you'll see the common sense in all this. 

[Chuck Nukem]

Lotus position #2 - Flamingo style

Perhaps the proper shoes would make this easier, Chuck . . .

You know I am willing to try anything at this point Just make the sanding go away!!!

I don't think any of us want to see Chuck in pointe shoes and a tutu! 

Sure we do, BDA.
Just a couple more weeks of lock down and I'm confident you'll see the common sense in all this. 

It's funny that you posted that because I like to think of the Europa as an matured ballerina. The woman in your picture just needs some gold JPS stripes. Maybe we have been on lockdown too long... 

[GavinT]

It's funny that you posted that because I like to think of the Europa as an matured ballerina. [...]

Reckon there's something in that.
There's not many fifty year old cars that handle with such poise and grace.

[Chuck Nukem]

Round 3 down. Started blocking with 320 and I am getting promising results. Could this be the final hi build?!

[BDA]

That's looking pretty good. I'm sure you've seen it but just in case, there appear to be some sags around where the engine cover adjuster is in the rear. I'm sure that's an easy fix.

Great work, Chuck! I can't wait for the color coat!

[Chuck Nukem]

That's looking pretty good. I'm sure you've seen it but just in case, there appear to be some sags around where the engine cover adjuster is in the rear. I'm sure that's an easy fix.

Great work, Chuck! I can't wait for the color coat!

Yeah it is a tricky part to spray especially with that 2.5 tip I am using on the polyester primer. They sand out pretty easy though.

[Chuck Nukem]

It has begun! I have a complete set of S2 lower control arms I purchased from a forum member a while back. They appear to fit just fine with the protech shocks I have. Is there any big difference between those and the TCS factory lower arms besides the welded boss which allows more clearance for the lower mount of the shock absorber?

My lower a arms were quite pitted and I had a hell of a time finding a nice pair of TCS series arms. I got the uppers from BDA and they are great!

[BDA]

I'm glad the uppers are working for you!

I'm pretty sure the TC and S2 lower arms give the same suspension geometry and the only difference was that boss for shock clearance. The stock shocks between the S2 and TC are different but I don't actually know what about the TC shocks required that boss - possibly a lower perch? I would think with the more modern shocks with adjustable perches, you would be able to use either S2 or TC lowers but I seem to remember trying S2 lowers and was not happy with the fit, but that is even more vague memory than my other memories so you should give it even less credence than you would usually give my memory! Since you're working with both, you might want to experiment.

[Chuck Nukem]

I got a steering rack from a donor TCS and overall it feels very good. The inner tie rods don't feel loose per se, but they certainly aren't as snug as the outers. Is it common to have to service these? I seem to recall reading about injecting grease inside the boot with a syringe.

I also pinched the anti roll bar off the donor car, but the bushings are toast and it has been modified a little bit. Seems like it is easy enough to change the roll bar even with the body on, but I might be procrastinating with something that will come to haunt me later... I have read the stories that changing these bushings requires the help of the devil.

As soon as I get my hubs greased up I should be rolling on the front end.