Escort mk2 seat issue and advice appreciated

[Hbbe919]

Hi all,

Does anyone know how to fix the seats in my 1977 mk2? For some reason both front seats twist when you lean back on them?

Any advice on suppliers of body panels and interiors would also be appreciated.

Escort 1977 mk2, 2.0 ltr GL, manual.

I have only just got the old girl and don't know a lot about fixing her up.

Thanks Byron

[revcore]

Do the seats recline properly? Also, Is there alot of movement in the backrest of the seats? They usually have a small amount of backwards and forwards movement which is acceptable but if it's side to side movement then I'd be inclined to say your seats are buggered.

[Hbbe919]

The seats recline properly, they just twist in the backrest. I think I will just pull them apart and see what I find.

[JimStone]

Body panels, etc SMCKA

[caprispecial]

The backrests are made from pressed metal. When they twist as described it means some of the spot welds have come adrift. The fix is to get the mig out and weld it up.

[allanv6gt]

Yup, sounds like a wedling job.
This happens due to simple metal fatigue of either the welds or the frames themselves.
Escorts are very middle aged by now (40yrs +).

[Hbbe919]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I will have crack at the seats tomorrow. Still wondering if it is worth getting the old girl restored or not. Would the below costs be in the ballpark?

Respray $5000
Suspension $500
Rust repairs $500
Interior $1500
Wheels tyres $1000

Byron

[allanv6gt]

Hust remembered....
I had a 74 Falcon with similar symptoms (some slack, not drastic skew) where ythe backrest bolt had meerely come loose. But you find this out when you pull the side caps off the seat.

[jpblue1000]

Originally Posted by Hbbe919

Thanks for the replies guys,

I will have crack at the seats tomorrow. Still wondering if it is worth getting the old girl restored or not. Would the below costs be in the ballpark?

Respray $5000
Suspension $500
Rust repairs $500
Interior $1500
Wheels tyres $1000

Byron

for a standard road going restoration of a complete good condition escort some of the numbers are a bit low. wheels and tyres cost Ok, interior, if the existing is in good condition it wont be far off maybe 2-2.5K. 500 wont buy many rust repair panels, maybe a couple of floor panels and a bit more 500 will only buy a day or two of work too so depending onthe cars condition Id budget a bit more. and 500 will but shock absorbers but youll probably need bushes throughout, maybe front arms etc. what about brakes and motor.
Yes a lot could be spent, Im well over 40K but mine has 450HP


But only you can determine if it's worth it to you, very unlikely to get your money back, but if your passionate and keep the car your not really aiming to make money

Cheers

JP

[thebecbec]

You can do a restoration on a budget, you just have to be prepared to sacrifice some things. Wheels and tyres are cheap. I bought my 15" superlites for under $1000, and 15's in tyres really do not cost much at all.

If you can do most of the stuff yourself (obviously with the exception of paint and such), theres no reason you couldn't stay within your budget.

[allanv6gt]

I did my own restoration - panel, paint, mechanical, electrical, and the big one ...soft trimming. I spent numerous semesters at tech learning " How to..."
I'm not a mechanic/panel beater/spray painter by trade - I pound a keyboard all day.

You can do it.
It just takes time.
It's not something you can/should rush.

On a positive note, you do however learn a helluva lot along the way - dare I say 'intimate' knowledge of your car.
And, overall you feel very satisfied ("I built that !!!" / "Built not bought") despite the occasional setback.
And, you end up with a very well equipped workshop....
.........ready for that next 'quick restoration'. (number 5 currently underway....)

Always maintain a proper perspective.....IT'S A HOBBY !!! DON"T STRESS !!!