ST24 v6

Skellibert · 13-10-2018, 08:04 PM

Just wondering if there are and how many other of the v6 ST 24 on here?
And if anyone knows how many are still around on Aussie roads?
The guy I bought mine from said there are 100 2000 ST24's still on the road in the UK.
Drove it today down the freeway about 80km, but that was the first time to actually drive it.
It is currently unregistered, so I got a transport permit and drove from his place to mine.
Monday I will take it for an inspection to see what has to be done for a licence - hopefully not much - and then it will be my daily, as well as having L plate duties for my two middle kids.
Would be nice to eventually get it proper Schmid eventually, but who knows if that will eventually happen.
Thanks for reading my drivel.
Dave

asteele-xr6 · 14-10-2018, 07:06 AM

Post a few pics! Enjoy!

**russellw** · 14-10-2018, 08:59 AM

They didn't sell many here. A call to the CSC should get you the numbers but they were conceived as being overpriced at the time for what they were. I remember my local dealer had a dark green one for almost 2 years before selling it at about half the RRP.

Cheers
Russ

Fast Eddie · 14-10-2018, 02:14 PM

I have only ever seen 2 cars in New South Wales but that was many years ago.

Skellibert · 14-10-2018, 03:04 PM

I actually picked it up yesterday and it is currently sitting in my driveway.
It is one of those good from afar but far from good cars - looks great from a distance, but as you get closer you see the paint is poor, there is a crack in the front bumper and another in the rear bumper - neither horrible, but they will take some fixing and finishing.
The stitching on the seats is failing, so they look a bit second hand, but the padding is still perfect - can't figure out why the stitching has gone like that but the material around it is all really good.... Dash has some looseness about it.

Drives like it just came out of the showroom - 160k km. No oil leaks so far.
Rattle from the cat - I guess it needs replacing.

I will get a few pics today if I can, but Perth weather today is really stormy.

Glad to hear this is a rare classic then...…… My wife will be so pleased.
I have a habit of buying unusual cars and it always ends up costing me....

Skellibert · 14-10-2018, 08:50 PM

A couple of photos.
I kinda like it....
I guess I should explain - we currently have a car or two - The "work car" is a Skoda Octavia wagon 2016.
The car next to the Mondeo is my son's 207 TDi (lovely car)
Under cover back there is an FJ62 1985.
And in front of the Mondeo is the old runabout - a Chrysler neon that I have given up on. For sale by the way....

Bossxr8 · 15-10-2018, 01:55 PM

Pretty sure there is one around here. Seen it a couple of times in the last 12 months.

Skellibert · 15-10-2018, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

They didn't sell many here. A call to the CSC should get you the numbers but they were conceived as being overpriced at the time for what they were. I remember my local dealer had a dark green one for almost 2 years before selling it at about half the RRP.

Cheers
Russ

I have looked, googled, searched, but I can't find what you mean by "csc".
I come up with all sorts of things, but nothing that seems car related.....
I feel a bit silly that I don't know, but I don't.....

**Captain Stubing** · 15-10-2018, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skellibert

I have looked, googled, searched, but I can't find what you mean by "csc".
I come up with all sorts of things, but nothing that seems car related.....
I feel a bit silly that I don't know, but I don't.....

Perhaps, Customer Service Centre? (Ph 133673).

**russellw** · 16-10-2018, 09:10 AM

Thanks Swanny, that is what I meant.

Skellibert · 16-10-2018, 03:08 PM

Ok thanks - I do feel a bit dim now......

I bought the mondeo because it was the right price mostly, but mondeos are not a super rare car, although not hugely popular here.
However, I of course ended up (accidentally by the way), with just about the rarest of them in Australia.....
Good thing parts are easily available - even the v6 bits are fairly easy to find it seems.
At least in comparison to Chrysler Neon bits......

Even when I try to buy boring, I end up with something which will most likely cause me trouble.....

By the way, the licensing inspection turned up a small number of simple things.
It should have plates by the end of the week if all goes well.

Skellibert · 19-10-2018, 06:02 PM

First inspection was always about finding out what needs doing - I didn't even look under it before I took it down.
A surprisingly small list of defects to address.

One wiper blade loose - I pushed it in until it clicked and it is secure.
One High beam not showing - globe was missing.....
Front bumper loose - a crack on the front left including a broken clip mount. Fixed with some "new" homemade brackets.
Rear bumper loose - centre mount not bolted. Added a new bolt.
Oil leak - rectify and clean. Looks like the front crank seal. At this stage just cleaned as best I can, hoping it will be good enough to pass as it is only slow.
Seats need repair (advised that bought covers will be fine).

The only thing left to do at this stage is the seat covers.
Once we have it on the road, we will prepare for the oil leak repair, and my Daughter said she will do the seat stitching as she can.
We need the car on the road ASAP, otherwise I would hold off on the inspection until these things are properly addressed.

I am hoping to get it re-inspected early next week.

Skellibert · 25-10-2018, 03:17 PM

Took care of all the inspection fail points, and had it re-inspected this morning.
PASSED!
Unfortunately, the whole reason for getting a cheap cheap car is that cash is somewhat tight - so after buying the stuff needed to pass the inspection and paying for the permit to drive it to the inspection, and paying the re-inspection fee, I don't have the money to actually register it at this end of the month.

I have the pass form though so I now have 90 days before a new inspection is required.
It will be next week.
YAYS!!!!!
(Honestly, I am not a 14 year old, just an excited middle aged man).

Skellibert · 14-11-2018, 01:24 PM

Went in to get the rego done and it turns out that the paperwork I have is not enough to prove ownership. The guy I bought it off bought it from a friend unregistered, so they didn't do any paperwork, so he can't prove it was his to sell because he never did the reg.
His friend didn't sell it to me so they can't do the transfer papers.....
I have had to do a "Declaration of ownership" form, which I submitted only to be told that it will take at least 21 days to process.
So, they are both happy to agree that it is mine legally, the inspection has been passed but the red tape now has to be navigated so that the government really believes that it is mine to register.....

I know it is all necessary to make sure people can't just nick cars and re-reg them, but that doesn't stop it from being frustrating for me.....

I just want to drive and enjoy the thing…..

simon varley · 14-11-2018, 03:34 PM

back in the day I had an ST200. Absolutely awesome. but. the brakes were crap. My understanding is that the RHD model had a pretty average torque tube fitted to transfer brake operation from LHD you may want to look at what brake upgrades are available if the ST24 is the same

Skellibert · 14-11-2018, 03:55 PM

Actually, right now I am in two minds - turns out this car is a lot more rare than I at first thought. A case could be made for keeping it absolutely stock...… but I am not much for show ponies. If it doesn't get driven then what's the point?
(I can appreciate the show ponies, they are just not for me)

I would like to upgrade suspension and brakes, and do aftermarket gas in and out, but I am thinking that I need to make everything reversible and keep all the original bits.

Not that I have enough cash to do any of that, but hey dreams.....

If I do change anything, I will be keeping the original bits. My wife will hate it, but I am going to have to find a way to store them safely.

BC1000stars · 24-12-2018, 05:49 PM

Hi Dave, congrats on your purchase!
I have one. Ford only imported 166 of these into the country in 2000 and the number still on the road now would be only half that at most, I’d say.
The seat stitching is a common failure on these cars but a relatively easy fix.
The main thing to sort out on your car will be the IMRC. It’s a little unit that sits on top of the block under the small engine cover. What it does is opens a second set of inlet valves on the intake when the car hits 3,500 rpm, in essence, doubling the air flow going into the engine. Without this working, and I can almost guarantee yours won’t be, because of Ford's “genius” placement of it, you’re missing out on 50% of the engine's power when you really need it.
The procedure to fix is readily available online. The fault is in a transistor that fails due to heat soak. You can buy one cheaply - the transistor that is. (TIP121)
In reality, you can drive the car with no issues at all, lots of owners of these cars are blissfully unaware their IMRC isn’t working, it’s just that if you really give it the beans over 3,500rpm, it will feel a bit sluggish still.
Most cars had their IMRC fail at about 60 - 70,000 kms.
Anyway, have a Google on what it’s all about. If you get it working, you’ll be rewarded so much about just how capable these little cars are, they also have one of the best balanced chassis around, loads of fun.
There are many specialists in the UK for parts too where, as you say, they’re even becoming scarce there.

Skellibert · 24-12-2018, 06:09 PM

I have hardly driven it because it is still currently unregistered - passed the inspection but then Christmas hit and the rego money has gone on..... "more important things"........
However whilst driving it back from the successful inspection (on a transit permit with no plates), I let the Welly drop a bit and I can report that it has a noticeable kick at just around 3500. (I had head of the issue so I went searching the rev range for it).
It has either been fixed already or has somehow survived this long.

But I know what any Christmas money that I get will be spent on.

BC1000stars · 25-12-2018, 09:54 AM

Oh hey, yes that’s exactly what it should do, it almost feels like a turbo kicking in.
Yes, perhaps the previous owner had it fixed. If it’s a true survivor then I am astounded!
You can check it yourself anyway with the engine running and the bonnet open, just tweak the throttle cable a fair bit and while looking under the top inlet manifold, you should see the cable system open and close as you give it some revs.
I’m always pleased to hear of others who enjoy their ST24s.
And to answer your question on the ST220 thread, I couldn’t bring myself to use it as a daily driver and I don’t have any weekends off where I can do club runs or anything like that, so I am just not enjoying it as much as I would like to, but I’m in no hurry or even desperate to sell, so if it doesn’t, then I’m ok with that too.

Skellibert · 31-12-2018, 12:50 AM

Well, another one of the 166 Aussie ST24's is back on the road.
Finally got it registered on friday and have the chance to play a little.
My problem is that I am a good boy, and I am having trouble exploring its abilities within the law......
It goes a lot harder than I was expecting.

Skellibert · 04-01-2019, 04:02 PM

Well folks - a few days of driving it and I am happy with the car.
A few things have come up with it, some of them associated with it not being properly driven for some time.
The air con is not cold - it was on the first drive from the buyer to me home - not ice cold, but it was definitely cooling. Not now - it will need to be checked, but I hope a regas will do it.
There is a noisy bearing on the front of the engine - the most likely suspect is the water pump.
The seat belts are quite short. my adult kids are all not small - not seriously overweight, but all tall and not supermodels, and we all only just fit in the front seat belts. We have to work on our part of the problem of course….

The only other issues I am having are all to do with the fact that it goes a lot harder than I was expecting and so I can't really play too much with it.

It is great to go from the lights and run it out to 5k or so in first, second, thir….. oh wait we are at the speed limit already...

I have hit a couple of corners enthusiastically, but it hangs on better than I was expecting, and there is only so much one can do without getting seriously into hoonland.
For a front driver, it handles well.
For the first time I am seriously thinking about getting some track time. No other car that I have owned has done that to me.

Don't get me wrong here folks - it is not a supercar, and won't likely outrun too many half serious modern cars, but there is something about it that makes me want to try it out properly. To do so on the road though would be irresponsible.
I have driven cars that would no doubt be faster, but they are just boring, and I have owned cars that are fun but not fast.

This little beast seems to be entertaining to drive and quickly illegal if you do so.

cobrin · 04-01-2019, 04:30 PM

yeah the V6 2.5L (also shared with MX6, Telstar TX5, Ford Probe to mention a few) is a nice smooth little engine @121Kw. Happy driving.

Skellibert · 05-01-2019, 07:53 PM

In actual fact the telstar and Mazda 626 used a mazda engine of the same capacity but different design. Not sure about the probe and mx6, but it is certainly the same engine as the cougar. My engine is quoted at 125kw, so not much in it, but it has dual length intakes and you can feel it swap length when you get up in the revs.
But whatever, I am certainly having a happy time driving.

DRU842 · 06-01-2019, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skellibert

In actual fact the telstar and Mazda 626 used a mazda engine of the same capacity but different design. Not sure about the probe and mx6, but it is certainly the same engine as the cougar. My engine is quoted at 125kw, so not much in it, but it has dual length intakes and you can feel it swap length when you get up in the revs.
But whatever, I am certainly having a happy time driving.

Pretty sure your correct Skellibert, the Telstar/626/Probe/MX6 were Mazda sourced engines of 2.5ltr 24V with a VRIS system, while the Mondeo/Cougar V6 was a Duratech unit from Ford. There may have been some common parts but as I recall they were different engines.

cobrin · 06-01-2019, 02:16 PM

Ah that's right, apologies gentlemen forgot about Duratech variants. Makes sense for the Mondeo and UK region.

I've looked around and it's a KL-DE mazda engine/family for:
1993-1997 Mazda MX-6 LS (A spec)

1993-1997 Ford Probe GT
1992-1995 Ford Telstar TX5 Ghia, TX5 Ghia 4ws
1993-1997 Mazda 626 ES, LX (after 1994)
1995-2002 Mazda Millenia L

sorry for my confusion...

Skellibert · 06-01-2019, 05:00 PM

Ok then - going back a few posts - Track day?

I have had a bit of a look and there doesn't seem to be very much about track days.

Does anyone know how I would find out about a track day appropriate to the little green monster?

I am in Perth remember, but I don't seem to be able to find a club on here that might do this once in a while.....

Any advice, any direction, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Circuit by the way, not drag strip. If I want to run the straight bit it is just down the road from home.

izaak · 04-04-2019, 08:03 PM

Hey Skellibert, how'd you go with the air con situation - did you get it regassed? Keen for an update

Skellibert · 04-04-2019, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izaak

Hey Skellibert, how'd you go with the air con situation - did you get it regassed? Keen for an update

Unfortunately I have a starting problem that I am chasing.
Aircon is low on the list right now.
I have had such a busy time and I am dealing with an issue with three different cars right now, all of which are causing me more trouble than should be possible.
At least I can still drive my old cruiser, but the other two are currently undrivable for now, and I am struggling to find time to look at them.