1992 Ford Fiesta XR2i 1.8 16v

[Matt Hesketh]

Welcome to my latest acquisition a 1992 XR2i 1.8 16v. I swapped my Mk4 escort and a bit of cash for. I couldn’t be happier 😁

Obligatory first fill up shot!



It’s in pretty good condition all things considered and completely original. No mods apart from a couple of silicone rad hoses. Still got the stock exhaust, air box and radio

A few pictures from the seller before I get stuck into it.









Bloody love this thing. Drove it 80 miles home it needs some attention to the front end but I’m so happy it’s such a nice little car and one that I’ve always wanted

Back home

[rickygolf83]

Nice! Rare car these days the mk3 fiesta, spotted two RS Turbos nearby recently though with the better weather.

Looks clean, is it late enough to have the fuel flap rather than the cap that causes the rot?

**** Edit; mk3.5 gets the flap I think

[Matt Hesketh]

May 26, 2019 12:40:55 GMT rickygolf83 said:

Nice! Rare car these days the mk3 fiesta, spotted two RS Turbos nearby recently though with the better weather.

Looks clean, is it late enough to have the fuel flap rather than the cap that causes the rot?

**** Edit; mk3.5 gets the flap I think

It’s an early 16v so Mk3 no flap and no power steering.

There’s a bit of rot but should be easy to fix

[xbl]

Nice, real easy to upgrade to the 130bhp stuff too.

[Matt Hesketh]

May 26, 2019 15:42:34 GMT xbl said:

Nice, real easy to upgrade to the 130bhp stuff too.

I’ve already lined up an ecu and HO intake/throttle body. Was looking at some cams but they’re like £700 new need to find some second hand ones.

[confusedbear]

Bloody love mk3 fiestas what a great find, can't find decent xr2s these days.

My first car was a RS Turbo and loved it to bits! Such fun little things

[Matt Hesketh]

So the current state of affairs with the 2i is this



I’ve found the culprit of the knock, it’s the Front ARB bushes. They’re toast! So I’ve ordered some new ones and also some new drop links to go with it.

The car came with a spare track rod end and lower wishbone as the one of each had already been replaced by the PO. Not sure how long ago as the “new” lower arm already has split bushes. But that’s probably just the cheap aftermarket guff you get these days. I did start trying to take things apart to fit the new bottom arm but I struggled to move any of the bolts so I thought, you know what. I’ll book it into the garage and get them to do the ARB bushes and anything else it needs to get it driving right then I’ll be set to enjoy it saves me sweating at the rusted bolts and getting curse word off. Just means I’ll have to work a Friday to pay for it lol.

So the car is booked in to the local garage this Friday for them to sort it out all being well.

You can tell something is seriously off at the front due to the wear on the inner edge of the front tyres.





Hopefully I’ll be a happy bunny this weekend and I can start on more fun jobs with the motor

[ianw]

Looks like a nice find, I had a 1800 2i a few years ago but never really impressed me but I'm more of a Vauxhall guy at heart 😀

Looking forward to the updates 👍

[asbo23]

Good cars, my Sister had a white H plate 1.6CVH XR2i.
Only mod was a full Magnex system.
Look forward to your updates with it.

[Matt Hesketh]

May 28, 2019 20:39:39 GMT ianw said:

Looks like a nice find, I had a 1800 2i a few years ago but never really impressed me but I'm more of a Vauxhall guy at heart 😀

Looking forward to the updates 👍

That’s fine mate. It would be boring if we all like the same 😁 I’m quite the opposite. No idea why but never been a Vauxhall fan lol

[asbo23]

I have had lots of modified Vauxhalls.

[Matt Hesketh]

May 28, 2019 21:46:17 GMT asbo23 said:

Good cars, my Sister had a white H plate 1.6CVH XR2i.
Only mod was a full Magnex system.
Look forward to your updates with it.

Can’t wait to get stuck in. I’ve had a 1.6CVH before but it never saw the road 😢

[Matt Hesketh]

May 29, 2019 18:36:38 GMT asbo23 said:

I have had lots of modified Vauxhalls.

There are a few I would have.....

[Matt Hesketh]

Just collected the car from the garage and I’m glad I took it there, it needed the following:

2 x lower arms
2 x drop links
2 x arb bushes
2 x track rod ends
and tracking doing

Would have been much faffing for me but happy with £150 drives straight and no more knocking at the front.

Just needs two new tyres at the front but I might end up getting a matching set if funds allow. When I’m back from holiday

I’ve also received a few goodies. My RS1800 inlet and ECU arrived today. (Will get some pictures up later)

And the other day I spotted a scorpion manifold back exhaust with decat on eBay not far from my route home so collected that yesterday needs a little clean up but should be a nice subtle upgrade.





I also picked up a new thermostat yesterday so will be replacing the existing on as it’s showing the symptoms of over cooling from a failed thermostat.

Although it has appeared to develop quite an annoying squeak from the dash since it’s been into the garage lol. But I’m sure I’ll find it.

Overall the garage complimented the car and said it was a good purchase and nice and solid. So I’m pleased with that.

More updates to come

[peteh1969]

Matt

You are aware that if you run a car that is supposed to have a cat fitted without one fitted and the police stop you for anything and they check and see that the cat has been removed they can seize the car and impound it as technically the car does not have a valid MOT (due to no CAT) that also means no valid insurance.

[Matt Hesketh]

Hi mate, yes I am aware of that. I’m in two minds whether to run it or not for that reason. At least I can still run the cat back section as I believe it will all connect up ok.

I appreciate the advice though 👍🏻

[peteh1969]

That's good Matt

I know of 15 cars around Birmingham in the last two weeks that have been taken that way.

It would be bad to loose the car over that with it being such a nice car.

[Matt Hesketh]

A quick picture of the RS1800 inlet, throttle body and ecu



I need some new gaskets and I’ll clean it up and get it on 😎

I have also sourced a set of RS1800 cams so it will give something to plan in in the future

[Matt Hesketh]

Another little item which is ordered that was delivered this week was a fuel filler surround.

Apparently genuine ford part too and only £5. Looks good quality.



The intention was to neaten this up a little prior to getting it fixed properly



Worked a charm



Looks almost perfect from a few paces



I’ve got another one in case this gets broken prior to fixing the panel 😁

So happy with how it turned out though for such a simple little “fix”

[Matt Hesketh]

So the ‘squeak’ turned out to be relay chatter caused by the plug behind the brake servo.



It was disconnected but I reconnected it the other night as I noticed it. That’s when the squeak started. Now disconnected it’s stopped no difference in how it drives. But there is another quieter bit of relay chatter from the fuse box only at some rpms like cruising with foot on throttle not accelerating.

So I need to find what the plugs used for and why is causing the relay to go mental then I need to find the sauce of this other bit of relay chatter. Love old cars lol