83 Capri RS Turbo

[mustangxtreme]

The weather is cooperating so I'm able to do some work. I may be luckier than I thought. I found a note book in the car the PO used to document his maintenance. I can now say for sure the car has 109786 miles on it. There are notes from 14095 mi on.

I have to remove the passenger door panel to unhook the power lock actuator so I can get the door open and vacuum the passenger side more. I've removed the alternator so I can see if I can repair it and have applied a liberal amount of PB Blaster to the turbo fasteners so I can pull it and see if I can clean it up. I'll get pics later today of my progress.

[homer302]

Great news. Glad the weather is cooperating. I didn't even check my Turbo out beyond making sure it was getting great oil supply from the feed line. I figured either it would work or it wouldn't. Maybe I should have or I got lucky? I started the car and let it 100% idle for a LOONG time before even attempting to give it gas to make sure all that stuff got somewhat used to moving again.
Is yours seized or stuck?

[mustangxtreme]

Is yours seized or stuck?

Neither. It just doesn't spin freely. Kind of like there is super thick grease or something in there.

The weather decided to un-cooperate again but I did get some much needed vacuuming done.





Here's a shot under the battery tray.



Some interior picks.













The dash pad is in great shape. No cracks but it will require a re-dye. I still need to pull the driver's seat and see just how bad the floor is cracked out. Good thing I already have another one.

[86 50CPRI]

awesome!!!

[mustangxtreme]

The weather was more cooperative today so I was able to pull the valve cover.





Definitely getting a new timing belt and tensioner.

[homer302]

The weather was more cooperative today so I was able to pull the valve cover.





Definitely getting a new timing belt and tensioner.

WOW. I don't think it's slipped but It needs a belt and/or tensioner soon!

[mustangxtreme]

I haven't run this yet so no worries about damage. It's just how I found it after setting it up to TDC in prep for priming the oil system.

[homer302]

It's not an interferance engine anyway but still, I would prefer to not let it get out of time. Might not tear it up but it can't be good on it.

The timing belt (even a Gates) is less than $15. The tensioner is about the same so no worries. I am glad you are moving on it. Can't wait to see it fired up!
I can't get over how much cheaper parts are for this than my 5.0. And it's so much easier to work on.

[mustangxtreme]

I'd like to move faster but, it's outside so weather tends to interfere. Of course it doesn't help I have two other Capri's that also demand my attention.

[mustangxtreme]

This weekend was great. The weather was perfect. I was able to get quite a bit done. I cleaned and painted the cam pulley, crank pulley, got the crank and cam seals replaced and the new timing set installed. I changed the oil and filter, primed the oil system and have good flow to the cam and turbo. It's almost buttoned back up so a test fire should be coming shortly.

Now onto the bad... The driver's side floor pan is cracked very badly. I'm still haven't decided how I'm going to fix it yet. There is a lot of surface rust I need to deal with under the hood. From the looks of it, the battery was broken in a prior accident and acid got everywhere. I'll try to get some more pics tomorrow.

[homer302]

Good deal. Let's see some pictures of all this progress. Can't wait to hear how it runs.

[mustangxtreme]

Here's a few shots of things going back together.







Now onto my dilemma... I still have to torque the crank bolt. I tried putting the car into 3rd gear but when I turn the engine I get some mechanical/grinding noises and the engine continues to turn over. Obviously I need a clutch but any suggestions on how I can get the crank bolt torqued without causing any damage to anything else? Before I attempt to start the engine, I want to do a compression test and would like the crank pulley tight first.

[mustangxtreme]

Anyone have an idea of what size clutch I have?

[homer302]

I do not know about the clutch. (hope I don't find out either, LOL) but I just got my crank bolt as tight as I could and drove it. Then tightened it again and drove it etc. until I got there. I wouldn't worry about it too much at this point. It's not a dampner or balancer, just a pulley. Should be fine. I am holding hope the pressure plate is just sticky at this point and running it a bit might loosen it up.

[mustangxtreme]

I had a moment. I forgot when I towed the car home I unbolted the driveshaft and tied it up under the car. That is probably what the noise was and definitely why I couldn't torque the crank bolt. It dawned on me while I was at work.

[homer302]

I had a moment. I forgot when I towed the car home I unbolted the driveshaft and tied it up under the car. That is probably what the noise was and definitely why I couldn't torque the crank bolt. It dawned on me while I was at work.

DOHHH!

[mustangxtreme]

The driveshaft is in and the crank pulley are torqued. If the weather cooperates, I should get the compression test done tomorrow.

[mustangxtreme]

I finally caught a short break in the weather this morning. Pulled the battery from my 83L and put it into the RS, screwed in the compression gauge, hooked up the remote starter, hit the button... all I got was a click. I now need to make sure the cables are good and if so, pull the starter.

[WHTLTHR79RS]

If the license plates are green and white...KEEP THEM !! they are "period correct" like the plates on my Capri, and all you need to do is get an 83 tab from the guy in Lynnwood, register it as collectable, and you won't buy tabs ever again...come by and see me and I will give you all the info. Go to Wall mart and get a squeeze sprayer from the garden supply and fill it with 50/50 mis of ATF and Acetone and you will have the BEST rust buster in the free world...I will show you. I got a 66 coupe all torn apart right now in the shop also...

[homer302]

You are more patient than I am. I just skipped the whole compression test and went straight to the fire up. I figured IF and WHEN it didn't run, I would move on to that kind of stuff. Glad you are plugging along though.

[fiveoh 86lx]

These 2.3T's are awesome... If I had the time and money to finish my 5.0, I'd definetly think about moving to a 2.3T

[mustangxtreme]

You are more patient than I am.

I'm at the point where I hate the rain. For what ever reason, the weather seems to be nice only while I'm at work. I need to check the resistance of the battery cables prior to pulling the starter. I definitely can't afford to throw parts at the problem so a little time troubleshooting things first will definitely help out.

[WHTLTHR79RS]

3:13 pm, tuesday...it's raining, raining, raining...

[mustangxtreme]

Neil, I hear you. I noticed as I looked out the windows at work the sun is shining. Makes me want to have an eye disease.

[mustangxtreme]

I pulled the starter out yesterday and took it apart. The armature is very rough and uneven not to mention lots of corrosion. It will be a little bit before I save up the $$ for a starter and alternator. Oh well onto one of the other cars.