My 2.0Laser, conversion to 5.0L

Please post current projects <b>IN BUILD NOW</b> in here,
Any non relavent posts will be removed,

Moderators: phpBB2 - Administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
5.0Steve
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:23 am
Location: Working on my capri

My 2.0Laser, conversion to 5.0L

Post by 5.0Steve »

Hi there all, , thought i'd put a post up about my MK3 Capri that i'm gradually converting from 2L to a Ford 5L V8 ( well it's actually a Lincoln V8, but same difference really ).

So here's abit of history on the car itself, it's a 1985 2L Laser in Paris blue, has/had genuine 74,000 miles on clock, all original panels ( although it has had some very minor repair plates before i got it ), service history and 4 previous owners.
I bought the capri from a small village in Devon, which was quite a trek for me as i live in Barnsley, South yorkshire! but it was worth it as i paid £630 for it with around 6 months test and 2 months tax, not bad really.

Anyway heres some pics of what it looked like when i bought it:

Image
Image

A couple of area's that needed work:

Image
Image

Area's of rot removed and repair work started:

Image
Image
Image
Image

Primed and painted, just a rough job to get it through the winter ( this is my first attempt at bodywork/spraying so it's not a work of art, LOL:

Image
Image
Image

After a good clean:

Image

I wanted to go with the look of earlier MK3 'S' versions for the front end, so changed the headlight surrounds and changed the grille to a MK2 version:

Image
Image

Removal of the Pinto engine:

Image

Right, here's the Lincoln V8, as bought off of Ebay:

Image

And here's it Mocked into place in the engine bay:

Image
Image

Once i have found the other pic's i have of parts of the capri, i will update shortly with alot more info on whats gone into it.

but heres 1 last pic:

Image
As it is now.

heres some info on what has been done on the car:

All rear running gear has been uprated to 2.8i special, so now has single leaf springs with capri-sport axle location kit fitted, Monroe Gas shockers and fully poly-bushed front and rear.
Also it is fitted with a refurbished ex-works rally GRP4 LSD unit, which i bought off a friend for £250!

The front struts have been converted to coil-overs using a kit from Burton power, these filled with 15w fork oil and fitted with 250lbs springs.
All seals and bearings have been replaced and the units are fitted with roller-bearing top mounts:

Image

The front also has a home-made anti-dive kit fitted and the TCA's and trackrod ends have been renewed.

All of the underside has been cleaned, chip-guarded and painted with light blue hammerite to make it look neat and tidy ( pics to follow )
plus all under the wheelarches have been undersealed and chassis members/cavities waxoiled.

Front discs have been upgraded to drilled/grooved items and calipers are to be fully rebuilt along with servo.

The gearbox i am fitting is from a 1979 mustang and is a 4-speed overdrive version ( cannot afford a T5 just yet, but will upgrade in time ):

Image
Image
Image
As bought from USA.

This will be fitted with a ZOOM performance clutch kit and a Mcleod Steel flywheel with ARP Bolts.

The Propshaft ( not finished conversion yet ) is a Mustang front yoke coupled to a sierra Cosworth rear flange.

Right!!, Engine Specs people,

Engine is a 1988 lincoln/Ford 5.0L EFI V8, upto now these are the following mods i have made:

Thrown the EFI system, dizzy and air control system in the bin and replaced with.

* Edelbrock performer RPM Inlet Manifold with a Holley 600 carb

* Accel Dual-point dizzy

* Edelbrock performer RPM Camshaft kit

* Summit adjustable true-roller timing set

* Summit performance pulley set

* Plasma performance Piston ring set

* Summit 8mm performane HT leads

* Edelbrock torker valve spring kit

* Mr-gasket full race engine gasket set

* Pro-comp roller rocker arm set

* ARP full engine bolt set

* NOS super powershot system:
Image

* Flow-tech equal length performance exhaust manifolds:
Image

* Summit race spec all ally twin-core radiator:
Image
Image

* Edelbrock RPM air filter

here's a few 'odds and sods' pics of it.

The interior after a good clean out, gunna keep it as stock as possible:
Image

Before and after pics of the smoked rear lights:

Before:
Image

After:
Image

Trying a 15 x 8 Revolution alloy in rear:
Image
It's abit of a tight fit :lol:

De-chromed MK2 grille in place:
Image

couple of pics showing the painted underbody, petrol tank and rebuilt axle:

Image
Image

Also Modified X-member, as you can see, the original engine mountings have been removed and replaced with 40mm box section with 6mm plates at the top, there are also 4 3mm bracing strips welded in to add strength to the X-member:

Image

There are repair plates required on both driver and passenger ( below ) footwells:
Image
Think i'm going to plate it on both inside and outside to keep it strong.

Front/Radiator Slam panel that has had a Tube welded in place for the radiator bottom hose to go through, just needs a small amount of work to finish and then can be sprayed:
Image
Image
Image

timing cover and water pump bolted in place,

Image

Image

Now completed Brake servo ( master cylinder needs a touch up in places )

Image
Image
Image

The servo and master cylinder have been fully rebuilt with new rubbers, seals and fibre washers.
Although this is a job that your " AVERAGE JOE " ( ie: ME ) could do, i would'nt recommend doing so, as in barnsley it's known as a " REYT PAIN IN'T ARSE!! "
I did the rebuild as i wanted to be sure the servo was in good nick before asking it to help stop the 5.0L.

Also managed to get some measurements for the Radiator/Fan mounting brackets too, so here's a couple of pics of the rad in place:

Image

Outside view:

Image
****** THINK SHE COULD DO WITH A WASH :lol: ******

Managed to finish off rubbing down the poor paint job on the top and back edge of the valance, cleaned it, then primered, top coat and clear coated it over the space of 7 hours.

Here's the result:

Image
Image

Also got some piccies of the area in the passenger wheel-arch i'm wanting to fit an oil cooler ( if not too much hassle )

Image
Image

engine block and heads in for good.

Image
Image
Image

The white strap round the water-pulley is there to balance the engine as we have'nt put the gearbox in place yet, still need to make a mounting for it.

we managed to fit the Valve rocker studs and pushrod guide plates, with these in place we were able to measure up for the new pushrods required as we've changed the cam.

Also managed to bolt the waterpump pulley in place.

With the V8 now out of our shed, we had room to work on the gearbox, it needed a clean, the top cover bolting back into place and we needed to take measurements for the new gear-stick that has to be made for it:
Image
Image

Also while having abit of a tidy out in the shed/garage I found this buried under bags of rags and tools in there:
Image
Image
:lol: Amazing what you forget you have when you cant see it.

inlet manifold in place
Image
Image

Passenger side manifold in place, we also fitted the dip-stick and tube, plus the radiator overflow tank too.

Image

Drivers side manifold in place
Image

How the engine looks now
Image

The Brake Servo will be going back on shortly and with other small items like the screen wash bottle etc.

Next major item to fit is the radiator and fan, plus the carb and Nitrous plate.

Well after a couple of weeks wait, the new pushrods ( and other bits such as a racing Fuel pump, regulator and relay switch ) have arrived from the States.

So Today we fitted the Valve lashcaps, new pushrods and Roller tip rockers, heres a piccie of the drivers side:

Image
Image

And here's my new Billet, High output Alternator that i've got for the capri too:

Image
Image

Just finished making up all the new 8mm silicone HT leads, connected the vacuum on the dizzy and connected some of the coil wiring up:

Image
Image

Also re-newed all engine bay washer jet tubing with blue silicone too 8)

the rad and fan are now fixed in place and so is the homemade rad cover too:

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

fitted the Electric Fan Controller and partially wired it up, also fitted the new alternator too:

Image
Image
Image

fitted the oil cooler,filled the engine with oil,done abit of work with the exhaust manifolds and started making plans for the new fuel pump.

heres some pics of the oil cooler on place underneath the passenger side headlight:
Image
Image
Image

Image
Image

Brake servo in place:
Image

Middle section of exhaust:
Image

And spent the last hour of todays daylight fitting the fuel pump, filter and every fuel line other than the Nitrous one.
Also fitted a fuel cut-off switch that runs off the oil pressure.

Image
Image
Image

Clutch,Gearbox and Starter now in place, along with a homemade clutch-arm cover too:

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Just a couple of piccies showing the finished Prop-Shaft:

Image
Image

After running the engine for the 1st time, the Cam gave up the ghost, so we stripped the V8 down and started a rebuild

my new TRW Forged pistons and polished conrods came today, so here's a couple of piccies:

Image
Image

All other parts are here now, inc new performance gasket set, NASCAR sparkplugs, heads, cam kit and waterpump:

Image
Image
The original heads weighed 25Kg EACH, these weigh 28Kg the pair!!

Image
Image

Got afew jobs done over this weekend, The rods are now basically connected back onto the pistons, just need alittle finishing off at my dads work to make sure they're spot on :wink:

Today we've refitted the Crank with the new NASCAR bearings, fitted the new Cam and refitted the Timing gear:
Image
Image

All but the Starter motor wiring is finished and wrapped in either conduit or electrical wrap, both the main battery cable and earth cable are in place and so is the Nitrous line too:

Image
Image

Also did a small job on the bellhousing so that it does'nt get water build up anymore.

Well guys, we've had a busy day today, the Block is in, the heads, starter, water pump, Exhaust manifolds and Alternator are back on the block :D

Also finished off the starters wiring and put some heat resistant wrap over the battery cables.

so heres some piccies:

Image
Image
Image

Have just refitted the lifters, pushrods, roller rockers, Inlet manifold and carb, plus done a couple of other small jobs too :D

Image
Image

steve :wink:



5.0Steve
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:23 am
Location: Working on my capri

Post by 5.0Steve »

All remaining pulleys have been refitted on the capri, fanbelt is on, V8 is full of oil and additive, one heater hose is completed ( need a 90 bend to finish other one ), couple of loose wires are secured, oil cooler is plumbed up again.

So here's how she looks now:
Image

Also decided to clean and spray the light control unit with my last drop of Paris blue:
Image

steve :wink:

Coops
Site Admin & Owner
Site Admin & Owner
Posts: 604
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:59 pm
Location: Compton, Nr Newbury, Berkshire Drives: Supercharged 4.6 efi V8 Capri
Contact:

Post by Coops »

Hi Mate,
glad you found us,
i have been following your build on capripower.

welcome to the forum.
Regards Tony C (COOPS)
Image
MS2 V3.57 Ecu mapable efi and wasted spark ignition.
Rotrex C38-91 supercharger and Cossie RS500 Intercooler @ 14psi of Boost.
Sponsored by: www.extraefi.co.uk & www.interpart.biz & www.caprisport.com
Web site: http://www.capriracing.co.uk

5.0Steve
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:23 am
Location: Working on my capri

Post by 5.0Steve »

thev8kid wrote:Hi Mate,
glad you found us,
i have been following your build on capripower.

welcome to the forum.
Cheers buddy,

Found the forum while investigating info on a new brake set-up i'm want to perform next year :D

just want to get the capri running, so sticking with the set-up i've got for the minute.

Coops
Site Admin & Owner
Site Admin & Owner
Posts: 604
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:59 pm
Location: Compton, Nr Newbury, Berkshire Drives: Supercharged 4.6 efi V8 Capri
Contact:

Post by Coops »

mine is doubtful for this year at present,
but gives me time to save.

Caprisport are the main forum sponsor mate if you want to talk brakes :wink:
Regards Tony C (COOPS)
Image
MS2 V3.57 Ecu mapable efi and wasted spark ignition.
Rotrex C38-91 supercharger and Cossie RS500 Intercooler @ 14psi of Boost.
Sponsored by: www.extraefi.co.uk & www.interpart.biz & www.caprisport.com
Web site: http://www.capriracing.co.uk

5.0Steve
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:23 am
Location: Working on my capri

Post by 5.0Steve »

I've got 90% of the parts I need to get the old girl on the road, it's just time that an annoying factor ( not got much of it spare )

Need to get the floor pans repaired ASAP, then all the interior can go back in.

Just been given half of a rear disc conversion from a friend who wrote off his kitcar last year, once he finds the rest of the parts he says I can have them too.

At least that'll be the end braking sorted :wink:

steve

5.0Steve
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:23 am
Location: Working on my capri

Post by 5.0Steve »

Well after pratting about for an hour yesterday morning wondering why the capri would'nt start, we found the reason she would'nt was due to US been let loose on the wiring :lol:

However after sorting ( bodging ) the problem, Joanna Fired into life first time, no awful noises, no smoke, but lots of growling 8)

However, after ten minutes of running she was starting to overheat, so thats another problem we have to sort now :roll:

I DID have a video to post, but my dad has deleted off his camera :oops:

The rockers still are alittle tappy, but i've been told to expect this with the type I have, so we're hopefully sorted now ( fingers crossed )

5.0Steve
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:23 am
Location: Working on my capri

Post by 5.0Steve »

Ok Guy's, I've got a new video for you to see, it aint the best ( fair bit of static noise ) But it shows that the old girl does run :wink:

Image

Post Reply