K&N open element air filter

In the US, if you try to use the K&N vehicle search function to find an air filter for your 1978-80 Fiesta, you will be steered towards a filter that fits in the stock air box.  And that filter works great on a stock carb.   If however you have modified your engine with a head, exhaust, carb and or intake, or you just want an open element air filter, you will need to select a 1981-1986 Fiesta XR2 as your vehicle to return the Open element filter parts that fit the DFT style of carb.

I installed the open element K&N filter kit on the larger Weber DFT9a 32/34 carburetor. This has the same top pattern as the stock carb.  This made a very big difference in throttle response through the power band.  In fact it eliminated all sluggishness left in the car.

The stock oil filler cap has the PCV valve in the neck of the cap, however you will need a vacuum source on the top most hose.  This connects to dirty side of the stock airbox through a 5/8" connector that has been clipped into a hole in the side of the box.  There is a small mat of fiber that looks like it collects any oil droplets that get sucked past the pcv valve, and drains it back down the hose to the filler neck.  We are probably not going to be able to get that fancy with the filter kit.


Project Parts List
Filter Assy:
56-9015 - Custom Racing Assembly (stock or lower Engine)
Or
56-1730 - Custom Racing Assembly (Lowered Engine)


PCV Vent Kit
85-1190 - Plastic elbow 5/8" (clean side of filter, Drill hole in bottom plate of filter kit to fit)
OR
85-1362 - Metal Marine Style 5/8"x2.75 tall (Dirty Side of filter - not sure if you will get the suction required with this set up, and you will need to trim to fit the 56-9015 kit.  Use 85-1462 with kit 56-1730, you will need to trim to fit)
OR
Drill a hole in the bottom plate 2mm smaller than the OD of your hose and simply stuff it in there.

You will also need a new length of hose for the PCV connection to the filler cap.

I used the 56-9015 Kit.  The best price I found was on eBay from Summit Racing.  It was cheap and shipping was free.

XR2 Article detailing common problems

Here is a nice article detailing the MK1 XR2, and some common issues and possible solutions.  While not the US spec version, there is a bit in here that is very applicable to our US cars.

Sports Today - Fiesta-xr2-mk1

The biggest car at the little car show

Showed the Fiesta in a micro and mini car show this weekend in Westwood KS. As a friend put it Betty was the biggest of the little cars in the little car show. There were loads of Isettas, multiple Morris Minors, 3 Austin Sprites but only one Fiesta.

Bushings + Struts + Exhaust + K & N Air Filter = Whoa!

I replaced the last two pairs of old bushings, the top mounts and the front tie bar bushed.  It stiffened the steering up a little, but it still seems a little vague.  I'll need to look into that, perhaps its the steering rack or the its bushings.  I also put on the NOS Koni sport struts.  Got them adjusted they way I wanted, and wow, did the make a big difference in ride.  I got the top mounts from http://www.motomobil.com/ .  That + the new Koni's eliminated a nasty clunk from the front end,

 I took the car in and had a 2" exhaust put on including a new Catalytic Converter.  The old cat was all clogged up.  When I pulled it out of the garage, it was very lively and you could tell it was breathing much better, but still felt a little bit reserved.  When I got home I replaced the air filter with a K&N air filter, and it woke right up.  Whoa!  It was super responsive and quick.  The  new GT cam seems to like higher revs than the stock cam.  It sounds like a proper British motor now.

She's a Runner

A little over a year since we dropped the engine out of Betty with a goal of increased power and pep, and yesterday, I turned over the engine and fired it up.

Since it had been sitting a while, I pulled the spark plugs, disconnected the coil, and cranked the engine for about 30 seconds.  This did 2 things:

1.) The fuel pump filled the bowl on the new carb
2.) The Oil Pump moved oil around to all the critical bits like the bearings.  By taking out the plugs, you remove the compression from the cylinders and don't put pressure on the somewhat dry bearings.

I put the plugs back in, hooked up the coil, and it started on the first crank.  There are just a few more things to do, and she'll be ready to hit the streets.

Fordopedia

Have you ever wished for access to the dealer's computerized  in-house parts catalog?  You know, the one with the exploded views, part number lists for all the various versions of your vehicle?  Well if you own a classic European Ford, like our favorite car the Mk1 Fiesta, then...shazam!...your wish is granted.

Fordopedia

You will waste hours exploring this wonderful resource...Enjoy!  Thank you fordopedia, whoever you are.

Finding Gear Box Lubricant for a 1980 Fiesta - AKA "Snipe Hunt"

I've spent a week researching what gearbox oil to use in the gearbox. What a mine field this is. There are different specifications of lube that are suitable for certain applications. Ok, that makes sense. But if you use the wrong one you could ruin your gearbox. For instance, certain chemicals in gl-5 transmission fluid can oxidize yellow metals such as copper and brass...aren't some bushings made of that? So I have all the manuals ford created for the Fiesta: Shop, Haynes, owners. And the only specification I can find is Ford Spec ESP-M2C83-C. None of the auto parts stores that I talked to could cross reference that with their oils. I went to the local Ford dealer and they didn't have a cross reference in their computer either. Finally the parts guy dug up a note about "Motorcraft Full synthetic manual transmission fluid" is now the recommended oil for the IB5 gearbox and older manual transmissions requiring GL-3 and GL-4 grades. It costs $21.31 a quart. It requires 5 pints or 2.5 quarts.

Haynes manual say it requires SAE80 EP. Castrol product is Hypox Light... I don't see it in the US, but the UK has it at a classic car site.
http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?pCode=090.917

Here is what Castrol US has to say: Manual Transmission

NO MATCH
EP 80W - "WE`RE SORRY, NO OIL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE YOU SELECTED. TO RECEIVE FURTHER INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR HELP DESK AT (800) 462-0835"

I can't believe that, of all things on a 33 year old Fiesta that could prove difficult to find, it was transmission fluid.