Hi all,

 

I don't know how much interest this will get, but here goes anyway.

 

I've decided to start a thread to help me document what I get up to during my recently acquired project, which is a 2005 MK6 Fiesta ST

 

I've had a 1.4 petrol MK6 Fiesta for over 3 years and have really enjoyed driving it, but have wanted an ST for a little while. I saw this one on eBay and thought it'd be a cheaper way of me getting one. It is a Cat C write off, but only because it had all the windows, bar the windscreen, smashed and something resembling paint stripper used on the front bumper, bonnet, roof, tailgate and rear bumper! I suspect it was probably the work of a jealous ex! It starts and drives OK (as well as can be tested so far), and there is no crash damage to be seen.

 

Its on a '55 plate, and has covered 77,804 miles before becoming mine. I bought it from a chap in Liverpool, who in turn bought it from Copart in Liverpool with the intention of doing it up but hadn't got round to it.

 

Anyway, enough rambling, here are some pictures:

 

 

Here it is back home with me, looking sad.

 

A few close ups of the paint damage:

 

 

The plan is to get it road legal again (MOT etc) and then drive it. I'll sort the cosmetics over time. Long term plans haven't been decided, I don't plan on selling and may do some power mods at some point.

 

Thanks,

Matt

Edited 8 July, 20169 yr by meb90

Update from the 25th October 2015

On my way to collect the car I popped via a breakers yard or two and bought:
- Replacement drivers door window
- Replacement passengers door window
- Replacement (non ST) tailgate
- Replacement bonnet

But then I found someone locally breaking a black ST, so popped to them and bought an ST tailgate, and rear bumper.

So the first job I did was to hoover out as much of the glass as I could. These two pictures are part way through this:

I hadn't realised how much glass there would be - I filled a fair chunk of the bin. Also found lots of rubbish from the previous owner, and most surprisingly 2 condoms. Not sure what this says! Having hoovered the glass, I haven't got all the fine shards out, so thinking of doing a wet vac to remove them and also deep clean the interior

Next job was to replace the bonnet, tailgate and door glass. The tailgate was a bit of faf because I had to swap the loom over from the old to new tailgate, but I got there eventually! The doors were much simpler, but the driver's door motor was broken. In my attempt to fix it, I broke it irreparably which meant I had to tape the window up to stop it falling down. A new motor is in the post.

Some pictures of it partway through, and then looking slightly happier:

 

The replacement panels aren't perfect, but they are much better than the old ones, so I'm happy.

Finally, whilst I was moving the car about, I let the engine get warm to check it was OK, I have to say at any revs above about 2,000rpm, its quite loud! Its definitely got an after-market exhaust on it. I think it could be a nearly straight through affair!

Thanks,
Matt

Edited 8 July, 20169 yr by meb90

Update from the 29th October 2015

 

Today I ordered a replacement slam panel because I noticed the front bumper isn't sitting right as it isn't being supported properly at the top. The clips are a little bit broken.

 

 

I now it'll be a big job to change, but I want to change the coolant anyway, so it's not too bad.

 

I've also had a replacement V5 come in the post that I sent off for, and SORN confirmation. I have also checked with the DVLA, I don't have to get a VIC test done as they are getting rid of it.

 

Thanks,
Matt
 

Edited 8 July, 20169 yr by meb90

Right, that brings us up to date, I'll edit this post when I have done some more!

Its amazing how much glass a broken car window produces and where the glass gets,

 

My sister had a mk6 1.4 zetec fiesta and that was a hoot to drive so much so i nearly bought it off her before she traded it in for a new one,

 

Also driven a couple of st's and was a little underwelmed by them, couldn't quiet work out why

Yeah, you'll be finding little cubes of glass for the life of the car.

Its amazing how much glass a broken car window produces and where the glass gets,

 

My sister had a mk6 1.4 zetec fiesta and that was a hoot to drive so much so i nearly bought it off her before she traded it in for a new one,

 

Also driven a couple of st's and was a little underwelmed by them, couldn't quiet work out why

 

I agree, the 1.4 is good fun to drive. I hope the ST isn't underwhelming, I haven't driven one yet! Bar the engine it's pretty much the same car, so I'm hoping it'll be good fun.

 

Yeah, you'll be finding little cubes of glass for the life of the car.

Yes I know, I have already found glass all over the place! I think I've got most of it out, but I'm sure I'll hear things rattling for a while.

Great cars out the box by all accounts, mate had one for a while and loved it.

I agree with the glass comments, it'll be an interior out job to get the best of it out as it gets everywhere.

Great cars out the box by all accounts, mate had one for a while and loved it.

I agree with the glass comments, it'll be an interior out job to get the best of it out as it gets everywhere.

 

I get the impression that they are good cars, I am hoping so

 

I found more glass today as was expected, I'll get it eventually....  I had thought maybe the interior needs to come out, its not a big job to take the seats out so I may just do it anyway.

The bumpers on these always used to get stolen along with the Zetec-s, they simply pull off hence that might be why the clips are broken on yours.

Update 1st November 2015

 

Managed to get some more done on the ST this weekend.

 

First job I did was to change the air filter, spark plugs and HT leads. I realised during this what a convoluted path the air takes on its way into the engine! Something maybe for the future. The old air filter was absolutely disgusting, the spark plugs looked in good condition if a little sooted up/black. Picture of the old air filter:

 

 

It idles much smoother now with those things changed.

 

Second job was to change the pollen filter. Again this was pretty dirty and well in need of changing. Beginning to feel like the previous owner didn't really care much for the car :(

 

Next, I had a go at removing the old viper stripes from the bumpers. They came off relatively easily being very careful with a razor blade. They were well stuck on though!

 

Finally, I changed the wheels. The 17" ST alloys that the car arrived on aren't in great nick, being kerbed badly on all four wheels and one having a big dent in the rim. Also, the tyres are all in poor condition, chunks missing from side walls, markings rubbed off etc. I found a set of 15" Escort (non genuine - aftermarket) wheels locally on the bay of E, which I managed to pick up cheaply. I have done this because I needed a set of wheels that would pass the MOT, and also I have a set of 17" Team Dynamics Monza R wheels on my other Fiesta. If that gets sold I'll swap wheels. Anyway, here is a picture of it sat on the new wheels, and with fewer stripes:

 

 

Its sat high as it hasn't resettled on the springs, but I quite like the look of 5 spoke wheels on it.

 

I also had a go at changing the nearside headlight unit as the old one is broken. I spent about an hour trying to get it to line up with the wing, bonnet and bumper, but it wasn't having any of it. The wing appear low but I think its an illusion as I can't get the fixings for the headlights onto the slam panel to align. Doing a compare and contrast exercise on both the drivers side and my other Fiesta, I think the slam panel isn't quite the right shape. Its getting changed as mentioned so hopefully this will get sorted at the same time.

 

I'm also having an internal debate. The replacement bonnet I bought doesn't have any real paint damage, but it does have at least 4 dents, one of which I'm sure will need some paint work. The original bonnet is in very good condition if you ignore the obvious damage, no dents anywhere. I'm thinking that if the bonnet needs painting anyway, I'd probably be as well to swap the bonnets back. I intend to sell on whichever one doesn't get used.

 

Thanks,
Matt

Edited 8 July, 20169 yr by meb90

The bumpers on these always used to get stolen along with the Zetec-s, they simply pull off hence that might be why the clips are broken on yours.

 

Yes - they aren't held on by much! You could well be right on the cause of the broken clips

Update 15th November 2015

 

This weekend a few more things have happened on my project.

1) I fitted some replacement parcel shelf strings. However they must be for a 5 door as they are too short so the parcel shelf doesn't sit flat when the boot is closed. I am remedying this by buying a complete replacement parcel shelf with strings for no more money than the strings were!

 

2) I got the final windows sorted, so it is now 100% water tight which I am happy about - means the winter weather won't get in!

 

3) I changed the gear stick trim as the old one was very tired. The new one looks much better

 

4) I changed the rear light units to ones that have a rubber seal that fits between the plastic lens and the body. The seal stops the plastic rubbing the paint away in the corners of the lens. The plastic does have some scratches in, but I have ordered a headlight restoration kit to sort this out.

 

5) I changed the battery. I did this because the car wouldn't start reliably on the old one. I checked the battery voltage which was 14.6V with the engine running so I think the alternator is good, but the old battery wouldn't hold a charge. With the new battery the car starts much better and I am happy with that.

 

6) I swapped the bonnet back to the original one, with the stripes and paint damage. I did this because the replacement bonnet wasn't in as good condition, with more paint chips and dents.

 

7) I finally got rid of all the plastic sheeting that was on the car when I bought it. This took a long time as it was well stuck! So well stuck that in one place it has taken off some of the lacquer. Whilst frustrating I am going to have to do something about the paint anyway due to the other damage. I still have the stripes to remove, but I wasn't in the mood today!

 

Anyway some pictures!

 

Old gear lever trim:

 

New gear lever trim:

 

Windows being bonded in:

 

Windows finally in and old bonnet back on:

 

Sticky residue from the plastic:

 

Lacquer peel:

Edited 8 July, 20169 yr by meb90

These are fantastic cars. I have had 2. Even though it is only 150hp they are like go karts. Chassis could easily take another 50hp. I had the mounting 185kit and total transformed the car even if the exhaust note was Ott.

These are fantastic cars. I have had 2. Even though it is only 150hp they are like go karts. Chassis could easily take another 50hp. I had the mounting 185kit and total transformed the car even if the exhaust note was Ott.

 

Agree with the go kart comment! I like the idea of a bit more power, but its going to be some time until it happens. I like the idea of the Mountune packs as they are easy. The exhaust on this one is quite loud anyway!

Love threads like this. Saving what would've been another baked bean can. Wheels aren't my thing but if you like them that's all that matters. Keep it up

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Love threads like this. Saving what would've been another baked bean can. Wheels aren't my thing but if you like them that's all that matters. Keep it up

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thanks. Glad you like it I like the idea of depriving baked bean cans!

 

The wheels aren't 100% my thing, I think I like the 5 spoke design but they are temporary - the original ST alloys weren't MOT worthy (these are) and if and when I sell my other Fiesta I have some Team Dynamic Monza R's to swap over. It'll look much better then They look like this:

Much better

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

There was a lad who got jamsport in northants to develop a supercharger kit for it. Think it was 330bhp which also had the cossie cams and cossie inlet. So much potential for these cars

Yes I have seen the supercharger kits. I like the idea a lot! But over 300bhp going to just the front wheels could be a handful! It'd be a bit of a rocket ship though!

 

I've been doing some reading about power mods and there does seem to be a lot of options, its clear the engine can take a lot more

 

Some chaps at work are trying to get me to put a Quaife gear set and ATB differential in it too...

I loved ours, it was a right laugh to drive, they're a little underpowered stock but few little tweaks can get good gains, loads of fun for the money. 

Right, about time I updated this!

 

I can't be bothered tonight to write a lot of detail, but since my last update I have cleaned the interior. It started to go mouldy, I suspect through not having any windows for a while. So I hired a carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment, and set to taking the interior out, vacuuming and wet vacumming as I went. I also sprayed the fabrics with some anti bacterial spray with no bleach to try and keep the mould at bay. I quite liked the stripped out look! The water in the wet vacuum was disgusting, but the inside of the car was clean. It hasn't gone mouldy again either.

 

It then got left for a bit due to wet winter weather.

 

Then 2 weekends ago I set to changing the slam panel which took a whole day due to the whole front end of the car having to come off. It now bolts together much better, but I wish I could change the alignment of the front grille relative to the bonnet!

 

Then today, I changed the engine oil and filter. The oil that came out was very black, and didn't look very nice. But it seemed to sound better with new oil in.

 

However, its had a rattle during engine acceleration that I must have missed when I bought it. I had ignored it thinking that a good service etc may improve it. This doesn't seem to have been the case. So I took a video and put it up on the Fiesta ST owners forum, and the consensus is that the bottom end is goosed. Video below if you're interested. I was revving it between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm.

 

http://vid1342.photobucket.com/albums/o763/meb90/EY55ATN%20Pictures/2016-04%20Rattle%20videos/P1010258_zpskyfq2qv7.mp4

 

So, I am now weighing up what to do! I think my options are:

 

- Chuck a second hand engine in

- Rebuild the current engine myself

- Rebuild the current engine at an engine rebuilders

- Buy a rebuilt engine and chuck that in

- Break it, and buy an ST that works!

 

I like the idea of rebuilding the current engine myself as I haven't taken an engine apart, but I need to think about it for a while.

 

Anyway, I'll stop writing here!

Matt

Edited 8 July, 20169 yr by meb90

Do the bottom end sooner rather than later otherwise you'll end needing a crank or a regrind, unless you are not using the car. The engines are straight forward to rebuild though make sure you stick to the factory torque settings and use a good torque wrench. Parts are cheap, bearings etc. You'll need a timing kit to lock the cams and crank in the right place so you can tighten the pulleys in the right position as none of them are keyed, They rely on diamond encrusted washers to lock everything in place. You,ll also need a special tool to hold the crank pulley if the pulley nut is a bit stubborn.

Take your time, you,ll be fine, it's quite an enjoyable job.

Do the bottom end sooner rather than later otherwise you'll end needing a crank or a regrind, unless you are not using the car. The engines are straight forward to rebuild though make sure you stick to the factory torque settings and use a good torque wrench. Parts are cheap, bearings etc. You'll need a timing kit to lock the cams and crank in the right place so you can tighten the pulleys in the right position as none of them are keyed, They rely on diamond encrusted washers to lock everything in place. You,ll also need a special tool to hold the crank pulley if the pulley nut is a bit stubborn.

Take your time, you,ll be fine, it's quite an enjoyable job.

 

The car is SORN'd at the moment and isn't used, so if it takes a while that's not an issue.

 

Thanks for the hints and tips too, in many ways I like the idea of doing it myself

Well, a long overdue update.

 

I took the sump off to investigate the bottom end knock. I'd hoped I'd get away with just replacing the big end bearing shells, but upon striping it (in the car!):

- There were flakes of white-metal in the sump - not good

- Having taken the bearing cap off for one cylinder, I could see that the bearing shells had spun

- I found the source of the metal flakes, they were missing from the inside of the bearing shell.

 

I didn't take any further bearing caps off as it is obvious the crank is fubared so I have have to decide what to do!