Any Westfield owners here?

[shrops_paul]

I've been dallying about buying a used one for a while. Just wondered if anyone else here has or has had one. I like the idea of owning one, just not sure how much use it would get. Concerned about taking it out and where I could safely park it etc.

I would be spending about £7k on a SEi probably with a Zetec ford engine at that price.

I'm not handy with the spanners which worries me too. I've never so much as changed my own brake pads! Should be a good car to learn on tho!

I was thinking of saving a bit more to get into an elise. Maybe a little more practicle for more regular use.

Any advice welcome

[Quinten]

Mine's a 1998 SEW (Wide/Live Axle) 1600 Ford Crossflow on twin 40s. Bought last year in April from a chap in Wales for a measly £4K. Have enjoyed it last year over 4K miles and upgraded the dashboard over the winter period (new wiring, buttons, steering wheel, etc, etc). I've got two left hands, and like you, the most mechanical thing I did before buying this was to replace the brake pads on my (now ex) Fabia. I'm now a year wiser, but I still wouldn't be able to 'pop the head off' or 'drop the arb links'... but when it is not a daily driver, there is no pressure on getting things fixed, so you can take your time and really learn on the job. Some stuff I will leave to the professionals, like tuning the Webers, but all the other stuff I will definitely give it a go.

[Quinten]

BTW, £7K may get you a Zetec, but expect to spend more on 'fixing' things as that is the bottom of the bracket. Not saying it is unattainable though. Pinto's, Xflows and CVH's are a lot cheaper and are just as fun to drive or maintain. You do not need a massive amount of power in these, so don't get fixated on bhp...

[VRS Mike]

was looking at these last night, will keep an eye on this thread for sure!

[shrops_paul]

Hi guys.

 

Quinten - your car looks very nice. How easy have you found it for learning/understanding what all the bits do and how it works etc? My main reasonning for holding out for a zetec car was that it would be a more 'modern', reliable engine and come to the worst a ford dealer could mend it/service it for significant work.

 

Sometimes I also worry about getitng a car that has been someones bodge project for the last 10 years but I guess thats to be expected.

 

Ive registered for a user for the WSSC forum but have not been allowed in by the side admin yet - theres loads of good info on there. I started with how much space would I need in my cluttered garage!

 

Out of interest, other than autotrader (where theres very few cars at present) are there any other good places to look online?

[shrops_paul]

BTW, £7K may get you a Zetec, but expect to spend more on 'fixing' things as that is the bottom of the bracket. Not saying it is unattainable though. Pinto's, Xflows and CVH's are a lot cheaper and are just as fun to drive or maintain. You do not need a massive amount of power in these, so don't get fixated on bhp...

 

There doesent seem to be a way of judging the power of the cars other than by what the seller claims.

[Quinten]

How easy you'll find on how things work is really difficult to say. For me the biggest hurdle is the correct terminilogy. When someone says that the rose joint needs shortening, I would have to google first to see what a rose joint is, and then 2nd, try to identify it on the car. The other way around too, when I needed to replace my rear brakes (drum), I had (wrongly) assumed that my axle was off an Escort Mk2 RS2000. But it isn't. In fact, I still don't know what axle/uprights I have and therefore I can not replace the drums themselves (only really needed to replace the shoes). Every westfield you see will be different. No two the same.

With regards to a 'modern' engine, they may still be plumbed in 'old-fashioned'. There is no OBD port to read fault codes on (unless the builder build it). If you do have an ECU, then it may come with a whole raft of different problems (sensors failing, limp mode, god knows). Garages can work on old and new mechanics, the age of the engine really makes no difference whatsoever. Parts for the engine maybe more awkward to find, but then again, there is a whole industry around 'classic' parts...

I found my car on Ebay, but the WSCC forums, PH and AT are the obvious other places. There are some other sites, but with a smaller selection.

You can verify power on the rolling road. And a little bit by looking what a 'standard' engine puts out. It's just a number though, it only needs to lug 5-600Kg forward

[shrops_paul]

Toy box cars seem to have a few. Some nice looking cars. Might have to up my budget a bit

[Quinten]

Andrew at Toybox is a very nice chap and does have some very nice cars usually in stock.  Beware though that what he has advertised is often not what he has in stock...  But if you let him know your budget and wants/want nots, he'll let you know if it is something he can provide.  Of course, you pay 'dealer' prices, but imho he's one of the good guys.

[Aspman]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/westfield/other-models/v8-4-0l-widebody-seight/2241343

 

Dribble.

[Quinten]

 

[shrops_paul]

Picking it up tomorrow morning. I'll post some then . I feel a bit like mister toad!

[shrops_paul]

Hello. Got it home all ok. First drive home in the damp was a little scary but it was fine. Had a quick test of the garage fit then been out it it all day.

There's a couple of niggles to look at tho. The main one is the car struggles for power at low revs, hesitating. Father in law says it could be the ignition is too advanced? There's a quite a bit of popping from the exhaust on run off too.

It's due a MOT so I think I'll get t tuned up when it's in for that.

I started a blog about my westfield experiences so there's some pictures on that:

www.shropshirewestie.wordpress.com

[B33fy]

Welcome to kit car ownership, what setup have you got under the bonnet carbs, injection or bodies? wouldn't have thought its ignition usually ecu/electronic.  sounds like over fuelling/too rich, maybe a faulty sensor or carbs need sorting if fitted.

[DanHam]

I knew a lad who converted his fiesta to run carbs, that thing used to pop and bang like crazy on over run!

[shrops_paul]

Hi B33fy. It's a 2.0 zetec red top with twin Webber 45's. It seems to hesitate/stutter if you boot it under 2000 rpm. I'm gonna get a local garage to give it a once over as part of the MOT. It's still very much drivable. Goes like a rocket