TeamCapri

General => Build Threads => Topic started by: Trackerrrr on January 06, 2018, 08:13:58 PM

Title: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on January 06, 2018, 08:13:58 PM
I'm gonna post my pics here instead of the general forum as this car's gonna take a fair amount of work to get back on the road. It's a 1991 N/A, Cardinal Red. I picked this pile up for the princely sum of $125 with the assurance that it ran when parked but didn't move very well. Full of trash and dirt. Flat and dry rotted tires. Paint all faded and top was toast too. Battery shot. She's been sitting for at least seven years that I can tell from old registration and the PO's memory. Every panel on this car is either dented or dinged. She's been neglected bad.

Day 1

(https://i.postimg.cc/6pGthRLj/Mercury-Capri-2.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/fyTM7rBm/Mercury-Capri-3.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/bvxP7h51/Mercury-Capri-4.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/gkjYn1wP/Mercury-Capri-5.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nrRp3GP5/Mercury-Capri-1.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/qRQT7G4R/Mercury-Capri-10.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Pf2Xfd54/Mercury-Capri-6.jpg)

January 6th 2018

She lives! Pulled the disgustingly cruddy fuel pump out of the tank and gave it a few good whacks and it freed up. Got the car to fire up and it took about 15 minutes of sputtering before she ran fairly smooth. Pics to follow...

Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: jdp on January 06, 2018, 08:25:45 PM
Congratulations!  Running is the first step to recovery!
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on January 06, 2018, 11:00:35 PM
Alas, the transmission seems to be toast. Filled it with fluid and not only would it not move, fluid was making a quick escape from somewhere in back of the trans. Pffft...

Also did an oil change tonight. Been a while since I've seen oil that thick and dirty come from an engine.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on January 07, 2018, 11:48:53 AM
I gave more for my N\A, but yours is worse....lol.  Good luck on that automatic. Welcome to the gang.

Jack Byrd
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on January 07, 2018, 05:27:59 PM
Doing that oil change seems to have annoyed the car because today when I started it I got clouds of blue smoke from the tailpipe where last night there was no smoke. Probably valve stem seals are needed now. Pulled the headlights to clean and lube the linkage and to repair left side. Used some polishing compound on the paint so she's shiny at least.

(https://s26.postimg.org/9r6of5x15/Capri_37.jpg)

(https://s26.postimg.org/56khzuv7t/Capri_38.jpg)

(https://s26.postimg.org/lhklw1hyh/Capri_39.jpg)

(https://s26.postimg.org/nm4yx91mh/Capri_40.jpg)

(https://s26.postimg.org/mjusejird/Capri_41.jpg)

(https://s26.postimg.org/zb8yl2neh/Capri_42.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on January 09, 2018, 02:01:40 PM
Good job.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: jdp on January 09, 2018, 07:46:51 PM
amazing what a little spit and shine will do.   looking much better than first post.  good job.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on January 27, 2018, 07:49:36 PM
Day 21

Well, I've been slowly tackling little stuff like flushing brakes and fixing lights. I've been starting the car every weekend but it's been running rougher each time so I decided to pull the valve cover and see how clean or dirty the insides are and this is what I found:

(https://i.postimg.cc/yY2pB3dh/DSCN2175.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/kM1h1pPp/DSCN2176.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/wT14SQ6T/DSCN2177.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/NFzJK5xc/DSCN2178.jpg)

So the head is coming off to be cleaned and I'll be pulling the oil pan and cleaning it too. I really hate POs sometimes. I cut the old timing belt off and ditched the old tensioner and idler as the bearings were shot in those too. I really should have power washed the engine first before pulling it apart too...
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on January 28, 2018, 12:48:41 AM
And the head is off.

(https://s26.postimg.org/thuwpa7ih/IMG_0053_1.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: SHOwn on January 28, 2018, 01:02:39 AM
Woooow! I've never seen an engine so sludged up! My dad, a mechanic for more than 50 years said he worked at a Ford dealer in the early 70's for a short time and all they were doing at the time was de-sludging engines because of changes to the thermostats that year. I think they were running them hotter, but I don't remember exactly what he said.

Regardless, that engine is going to need a thurough cleaning.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on January 28, 2018, 02:07:57 PM
I'm with you SHOwn, I've seen worse but it's been a long time.

Jack Byrd
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on January 29, 2018, 04:09:33 PM
The underside of the valve cover was just as bad. I soaked it overnight in Purple Power and that got a lot of crud off but also the paint. Has anyone used kerosene to clean heads before?
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: SHOwn on January 29, 2018, 04:22:19 PM
You know what worked for me was SeaFoam. It really dissolved the gunk. (https://s18.postimg.org/6nxf339sp/09_EDF65_A-_D3_EE-4751-8_F63-4_DE93800_B9_E9.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on January 29, 2018, 11:26:27 PM
You know what worked for me was SeaFoam. It really dissolved the gunk. (https://s18.postimg.org/6nxf339sp/09_EDF65_A-_D3_EE-4751-8_F63-4_DE93800_B9_E9.jpg)

Oooooo, purdy. That's car parts porn right there. Did you use it full strength and soak it or just spray it on and sit?
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: SHOwn on January 30, 2018, 06:21:53 AM
Awww,  I gotta come clean. That head was hot dipped and decked (milled) just a little. It was pretty clean to start with too, however the valves were still crudded up and the cylinders and intake and exhaust ports still had deposits as well so I poured Sea Foam right on there and used a wire brush dental tools and small screwdrivers where needed. The piston tops soaked in it overnight as well. But I've never seen something dissolve gunk like SeaFoam. Do wear protection on your hands though. Those chemicals probably cause cancer.

(https://s18.postimg.org/au4hdfagp/image.jpg)

(https://s18.postimg.org/4hpc3hznt/image.jpg)

You should take the baffle covers off your valve cover as well. Judging but your spark plug wells, every inch of that engine has some kind of hardened coat of oil deposit. I wonder if someone else used a stop leak or snake oil additive on it in an attempt to control leakage or oil burn.

Keep in mind that you should re-seal those baffles properly and use a little thread locker on the screws to keep them from rattling out. Unsealed baffles lead to excessive oil in the intake through the breather tube.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on January 30, 2018, 10:52:39 AM
The underside of the valve cover was just as bad. I soaked it overnight in Purple Power and that got a lot of crud off but also the paint. Has anyone used kerosene to clean heads before?

There is a product called varsol that works better.  Usually available at petroleum distributors.

Jack Byrd
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on February 02, 2018, 04:29:10 AM
Already got the baffle covers off and cleaned more crud out. The middle baffle wasn't nearly as dirty as the end one. Gonna go look at a pair of Capris for sale tomorrow and see if i can get them cheap. Both non runners and only one has title but lots of parts.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: SHOwn on February 02, 2018, 06:45:02 AM
Rut-ro, the addiction has taken hold!
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on February 02, 2018, 10:57:31 AM
Rut-ro, the addiction has taken hold!

ROTFLMAO........there is no cure!

Jack Byrd
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on March 22, 2018, 02:23:23 AM
Progress is slow. Between full time school, part time work, family, and fixing other stuff the Capri is coming along slowly. Got another headlight assembly from eBay super cheap and installed it today. Had two more keys made for car.

Note: I went to a professional locksmith to have keys made and he had no original blanks for this car so he wound up using Mazda 323 blanks.

Got a couple of used tires so it's a roller now.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on October 28, 2018, 12:27:32 AM
Took the head apart tonight, got the cams and valves out. Took out the oil galley plugs and found this:

(https://i.postimg.cc/B6KZ3ptX/DSCN2193.jpg)

Solid sludge. The indent is from me poking at it with a allen wrench. Gonna take it to the car wash tomorrow and blast the crud out of it.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Rocketman on October 28, 2018, 05:24:23 PM
Are you going to have the head decked flat at a shop? Usually they will offer a hot-tank service that should help dissolve the crap in there
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on October 28, 2018, 05:44:04 PM
Are you going to have the head decked flat at a shop? Usually they will offer a hot-tank service that should help dissolve the crap in there

I'm going to call about that this week.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on November 15, 2018, 01:10:58 AM
Making progress. Got the head back together and installed. Put new seals on the injectors and camshafts. Need to replace like every vac hose now because they are all rock hard. Also putting exhaust back on loosely 'til I figure out where all the bolts go...

(https://i.postimg.cc/tgt2Cr6j/DSCN2197.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: jdp on November 15, 2018, 11:51:37 AM
Great progress! Keep the updates coming.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on November 19, 2018, 12:52:49 AM
Exhaust is all buttoned up. Got the new timing belt, tensioner pulley, and idler pulley installed.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on November 22, 2018, 04:50:26 PM
And she's back together, just need a battery. Leaving the cam belt covers off 'til I'm sure it all works.

(https://i.postimg.cc/d3tjhbHx/IMG-20181122-090747236.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on November 23, 2018, 09:48:13 PM
And she lives again! She's stinky, but alive. The bad gas in the tank made my eyes water but she runs.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on November 24, 2018, 12:04:02 AM
And now I'm chasing coolant leaks from the old ass hoses....
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on November 26, 2018, 08:45:43 PM
 >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

F@#$ing head gasket blew....
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on November 27, 2018, 03:09:07 PM
Dang, bad luck guy.

JB
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on November 27, 2018, 03:23:03 PM
Dang, bad luck guy.

JB

Probably wasn't a good idea to buy the cheapest head gasket off Amazon. :P
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Rocketman on November 28, 2018, 03:41:13 PM
I've had an uber-cheap gasket blow out on me before.

Did you get the head surfaced?
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on November 30, 2018, 02:54:07 PM
No, I didn't. This is the dirt cheap project and I didn't want to spend the money. I'll check the head with a straightedge and feeler gauge when I get it off again. :P
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Rocketman on December 01, 2018, 04:18:43 PM
A piece of glass plate with fine (600+ I think?) sandpaper will help clean up the head surface, as a budget option. A googlin' will yield detailed information on the technique.
Best of luck :)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: jdp on December 01, 2018, 09:38:36 PM
I googled that. Great tip! Thanks Rocketman!
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 02, 2018, 10:37:19 PM
Welp, turns out it WASN'T the head gasket after all. The residue in the intake from the pcv combined with heat and injector spray turned into a tarry mess that stuck to the valve stems and valve seats which caused them to stick. Used some brake cleaner to start cleaning the intake and valves and it seems to work well.

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZnjjL51f/IMG-7980.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/zDkdNxVn/IMG-7978.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/4yXBt9F7/IMG-7979.jpg)


 
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 02, 2018, 10:40:27 PM
Also pulled ALL the old fuel lines and heater core lines to replace. Used compressed air to blow the fuel supply and return lines clear.

(https://i.postimg.cc/90xt7N7K/IMG-7983.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/cC1B6Nrf/IMG-7982.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/G3zjV95K/IMG-7981.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 02, 2018, 10:43:02 PM
Also found the coolant passage through my IAC is plugged up so this is gonna be another challenge to fix.

Did get the gas tank cleaned out really good I think compared to what I started with.

BEFORE
(https://i.postimg.cc/5t3HyQvk/DSCN2199.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QtdFTNJN/DSCN2201.jpg)

AFTER
(https://i.postimg.cc/CKH88Qy7/IMG-7984.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/bJyt99ph/IMG-7985.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/5tMv6Mrj/IMG-7986.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on December 03, 2018, 02:54:51 PM
That's quite the revival you got going there.

Jack Byrd
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 04, 2018, 05:45:52 PM
That's quite the revival you got going there.

Jack Byrd

I did something similar several years ago with a 1983 Ford F-350 CrewCab dually longbed. Everything on the truck was broke, bent, or otherwise gakked up. Got it for cheap but it cost me a lot more to fix it up and make reliable.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on December 05, 2018, 04:01:54 PM
My first Capri was a similar project.  Guaranteed not to crank, start, run or stop....lol

Jack Byrd
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 06, 2018, 10:27:40 PM
My first Capri was a similar project.  Guaranteed not to crank, start, run or stop....lol

Jack Byrd

I will persevere and she will be back on the road soon.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 07, 2018, 12:10:12 AM
Ok, got the IAC coolant passage unplugged tonight. I had to drill small holes in the passage plugs and one in the lower elbow. Then I ran a small gauge wire thru each and got the gunk to break loose. I'll plug the holes with JB Weld, beats spending $600 plus for a new IAC.

(https://i.postimg.cc/YSzrRnQS/IMG-7989.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/HxSpDrZD/IMG_7991.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/HxWphwt9/IMG_7992.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 07, 2018, 12:12:53 AM
I'm gonna get this thing back together in the next few days and fire it up....again.....
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on December 07, 2018, 04:38:35 PM
Good luck, good looking job.  My first Capri, the PO had used Radiator Stop Leak, several cans apparently, and all the small lines and passages and even hoses were plugged.  The hose from the back of the block to the IAC was solid.

Jack Byrd
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 12, 2018, 05:08:26 PM
Good luck, good looking job.  My first Capri, the PO had used Radiator Stop Leak, several cans apparently, and all the small lines and passages and even hoses were plugged.  The hose from the back of the block to the IAC was solid.

Jack Byrd

I avoid stuff like that, it creates more problems that it solves in my experience. Stop Leak, oil additives, it's all snake oil to me. Routine maintenance and paying attention to your car prevents many issues from cropping up in the first place.

Chris
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 12, 2018, 11:33:45 PM
Got the gas tank back in with new fuel lines. I do need another rollover valve as mine was broken.

(https://i.postimg.cc/j2Zqgz19/DSCN2219.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/SRyNfZgC/DSCN2220.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 18, 2018, 09:11:00 PM
Gas tank is back in and new filler hose installed.

(https://i.postimg.cc/4drYj39s/IMG-20181218-161731371.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Xv1GcLNZ/IMG-20181218-180342335.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/tT11r67B/IMG-20181218-180345502.jpg)
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on December 19, 2018, 02:24:49 PM
Nice.

Jack Byrd
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Rocketman on December 20, 2018, 09:50:07 AM
That's good to know. When I worked at a parts store we did not carry much for the filler neck. Good to know, I imagine the stock line falls apart the second you need to mess with it.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 25, 2018, 03:27:51 PM
That's good to know. When I worked at a parts store we did not carry much for the filler neck. Good to know, I imagine the stock line falls apart the second you need to mess with it.

Mine split at the tank connection just enough to make it useless.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: Trackerrrr on December 25, 2018, 03:30:52 PM
This is what I used, 10 inches needed:

https://www.fillernecksupply.com/1-7-8-or-48mm-diameter-gas-tank-hose/ (https://www.fillernecksupply.com/1-7-8-or-48mm-diameter-gas-tank-hose/)

Don't bother trying to put your year and model in, it brings up stuff for the Mustang-based Capri.

Also, if you buy the 1-7/8" filler hose from an auto parts store, check to see if it's the flexible kind first. There are some hoses out there that are rigid and won't flex to go over the raised portion of the metal tube on the tank and the metal filler under the fender.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: pilotlars on October 04, 2019, 05:13:09 AM
I just read this thread and only 1 of your photos was visible: the one after you reinstalled the valve cover. I removed mine too and removed and cleaned the baffles but my engine isn't (as far as I know) clogged with sludge. I had a ripped timing belt and the PO decided to leave ALL the covers and splash shields off so I had to track them down over the course of a few years to cover the engine. It's still not running and I'd given ZERO thought to replacing any or all fuel hoses... so thanks for adding that to my list of fears lol. I don't know if my coolant hoses are or will crack. I don't know how well my brakes work... I'm hoping to actually drive the car in the next month or so after buying some parts. Thanks for the write up on here, I wish I could see more pics though.
Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: greywolf27030 on October 04, 2019, 09:38:56 AM
I just read this thread and only 1 of your photos was visible: the one after you reinstalled the valve cover. I removed mine too and removed and cleaned the baffles but my engine isn't (as far as I know) clogged with sludge. I had a ripped timing belt and the PO decided to leave ALL the covers and splash shields off so I had to track them down over the course of a few years to cover the engine. It's still not running and I'd given ZERO thought to replacing any or all fuel hoses... so thanks for adding that to my list of fears lol. I don't know if my coolant hoses are or will crack. I don't know how well my brakes work... I'm hoping to actually drive the car in the next month or so after buying some parts. Thanks for the write up on here, I wish I could see more pics though.

Unfortunately with the age of these cars and because sometimes they didn't always get the care they deserved, it isn't unusual for all the rubber parts to need replacing, brake lines, fuel lines, water hoses, vacuum hoses, heater hoses, sway bar bushings, etc.  Also for cars that have been setting, it isn't usual for the poor grounds to give weird engine running problems.

Title: Re: My first Capri, 1991 N/A
Post by: pilotlars on October 06, 2019, 03:00:48 PM
I suppose a leaking fuel line is easy to diagnose... assuming the car doesn't blow up lol.