peter_m7uk

Hi all, I have an engine stand for my 2.0 Pinto now and I was just looking at the required mounting bolts. It appears that all of the engine-to-gearbox bolts are 17mm M10 1.5mm pitch bolts of strength grade 8.8. To mount the engine I will need four of these, but they're going to have to be several inches long to fit through the engine stand tubes and go right through the engine holes. Are these the sort of thing you can pick up at B&Q, or if not can anyone suggest a good supplier?? Thanks a lot, Peter

Wow, thanks for all the tips, fellas! Can I just pick up on a couple of things, though? I will be using a Robin Hood fuel tank, so is it possible to use the Sierra pump and sender, or will I have to buy those 3rd party? As I will remove the auxiliary warning module, which operates the "low fuel" light, is it straightforward to wire in another fuel warning? I expect the oil warning and maybe some others are operated by that unit, so the same applies? Seems a bit daft to keep the aux warning module, when it tells you stuff about doors left open and so on, which aren't going to be a problem! I assume the lamp failure module is a bit of a complicated luxury which can be bypassed by simply checking your lights regularly... Also, I had two front fog lamps - Are they necessary for the SVA, or just the rear one? Hope you can help, Pete

I've managed to remove the mass of spaghetti that is the loom from a 1989 2.0 Sierra Ghia. I was wondering if anyone else had reused the loom from a Ghia model and, if so, which circuits did you cut out of it? Obviously, stuff like electric windows and mirrors, heated screens and audio equipment can go. But, there is also a lamp failure module and an auxiliary warning system which seem to get involved with various gauges and warning lamps. I'd quite like to discard these as well, but I'm worried that I may remove something important. And I know that you can get a Vicki Green loom for £60 or whatever, but I want to have a go at this unless I'm forced to admit defeat! Cheers, Peter

Not quite, I just got a full top end set from e-bay for £16.25 inc p&p, as opposed to Rally Design's £17.50. £11.20 for the bottom end set looks good value though, so thanks for the tip Bob! Peter

Two of you mentioned BurtonPower. What are their prices like? Any more than your average motor factor?? Peter

Thanks for all the info, chaps. Plus I updated my profile as suggested. Pete

Where on earth do I get a complete set of new gaskets for a 2.0 pinto?? Can't find any advertised on the net.. Pete

Rizla, you're right! I gave the throttle body a damn good clean with lots of rubbing and scraping to get it shiny again. I also cleaned out the wee tunnel between the throttle body and the idle valve, getting a lot of muck out. Lo and behold, the idling problem went away! So Guy, if I was you I'd try an extensive clean up asap. Pete

Hey all, I am waiting for the new Lightweight to be made available, but in the meantime I have a pre-order form. On there, one of the options which has not been finalised in price is "Rose jointed suspension". Can anyone tell me what the difference is between this and any other sort of suspension? Do you reckon it will be an expensive extra, but worth having for improved performance, say?? Cheers, Pete

It was obvious in the end! My Sierra has a wee display showing whether the doors are open, for example, and giving various warnings around the car. The module was just the controller for that. Cheers Guys. Pete

As you suggested, I tried cleaning out the valve with carb cleaner and oiling it, but no improvement in the situation at all, I'm afraid. Really, there didn't seem to be much wrong with it, the action was smooth and so on. Any other suggestions, or do you reckon it's definitely the valve? I may have to pay a scrap yard a visit and try to find a cheap replacement valve. Cheers, Pete

How much are they and where would you get one from? Cheers, Pete

My Sierra donor is a 1989 2.0 EFi Ghia with 100,000 miles on the clock. It runs fine apart from a problem with the idling. If I rev it a little then release the throttle, the revs drop to about 600rpm, close to stalling, then it picks up again and runs fine. I changed the spark plugs just to be on the safe side and cleaned out the airflow meter, but without any real success. Anyone seen this problem before, or got any hints on what to look at? Cheers, Pete

Cheers Gpayne, but there is no alarm and the car is a 1989 Sierra Ghia. It's more like the size of your total hand, rather than the palm.

There are three silver boxes hidden behind the Sierra dashboard. One has code 87BG-10C909AA and seems to be the lamp failure indicator. Another is 85BB-12A650-CA and is the engine management controller. But I can't figure out or find what 87BB-10K910-AB is! It's located low down on the passenger side. Any suggestions? Cheers, Pete

Hi all, Just wondering how long and wide the average complete RH is from one extremity to the other?? Just need to sort out some "storage issues" with my garage! I've read on the net that the Lotus Seven IF was 10'9" long and 4'5" wide. 10'3" for the Series One, 11' long and 4'7" for the Series 3. Has it grown or shrunk in replica form?? Cheers, Peter

I went to the local scrapyard(s) and found F, G and J registered Sierras. The F-reg had only the bottom half of the shroud, the G-reg had top and bottom but knackered, and the J-reg one was in perfect condition, but of different design. I ended up buying the J-reg shroud for £2, but I'm wondering if it will still fit on the older style of car (my donor is F-reg and I haven't tried it yet)?? The top and bottom pieces are both longer and there is a hole in the bottom one for adjusting the steering wheel. I suppose I could cut it down to size, but if it still doesn't fit, then I'm running out of scrap yards!! Cheers, Peter

When stripping down my Sierra, I got a bit carried away with throwing bits of plastic trim out. In particular, I chucked away the steering column trim that sits on top and covers the red hazard warning switch. I also threw out the plastic that goes underneath and covers the electrics. I've since seen pictures of completed Robin Hoods and decided that you're actually supposed to keep this! So, have I made a mistake and, if so, where can I get replacement bits of placcy?! Cheers All, Peter