Escort van..What to look out for?

[Geez Louise]

I am going to buy an Escort Van very soon as a project car. I love them! but what issues should I look out for??

I have been viewing some and I know there is a problem with rust on the bottom panels of the doors and just below the rear indicators. Anything else I should be looking out for?

[RSgerry]

all Escorts have a rust problem with the firewall and floor rusting out. check carefully around the heater bubble under the bonnet and under the carpets. otherwise check areas such door bottoms and wheelarches. i dont know about other areas specific to vans. as for mechanicals, your general checks will be enough...smoky, oil in teh radiator, bounce the shockies etc, but they are mechanically tough little cars. enjoy.

[Geez Louise]

Thanks for the reply RSgerry. The mechanical side of things is not the concern, it was more what to look for body wise.

Owning a coupe I know where the rust spots and what to look out for on them...just wasnt too sure on old Escort vans

[R0BD0G]

the rear doors seem to go.. the sills.. the firewall under the heater bubble and below the radiator and like above the bottoms of the front doors

[Geez Louise]

Thanks R0BD0G. Looking at one tomorrow. Pictures of it look okay and it sounds okay but you never know!

[feral]

http://classicford.mine.nu/forum/top...TOPIC_ID=17803

See this one?

[Geez Louise]

Thanks for the link Feral. Will check it out.

[Mk1Bluey]

Rust!.... Bloody Rust!

I've found that one of the biggest probs with the escort vans is that the
Guttering is a sealed system. The only exits for water is either side of the windscreen.

The guttering starts at the front and continues up around the back doors, which have quit a large lip over them.
Almost like a wing above the doors. This doesn't allow any water to drain unless you face down hill.

Even on level ground the water puddles in the back corners due to lack of drainage, and absolutely roots the guttering at the back.

Drill a hole in the back corners as soon as you can, (primer the hole of course so that doesnt rust ).

I have a couple of vans, one of them is just a spare parts shed for my mk1 2 door due to the amount of rust in the floor pans,
the sills under the doors and those bloody gutters.

Hope this helps.

Bluey.

[whooligan]

Come and have a look at mine. Its for sale in the trading post.
Glenn 0401 881 379

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automo...kToResult=true

[esci-fan]

If you have'nt found a van yet, My first escort was a van and as per Mk1Bluey the hardest thing was to keep an eye on was the rust in the gutters. I basically did the same thing to try and prevent it. Good Luck.

[Geez Louise]

I have had 3 sales fall through for various reasons on the seller's part. Not having much luck at all. Maybe I am not meant to own one of these! I am trying to find one locally...Will have to wait until the right one comes along :(

[sweetswan]

check ebay. There's a few on there at the moment. They pop up pretty regularly. Thats where i got mine from.

[SnoWhite]

I have owned a van, mk1 and 2 coupes and sedans, RS's etc. Even a RS Mk 2 Mexico, they all have common issues as already said above. Take a non scratching magnet with you _2:
BTW the green sundowner in the latest Unique Cars would be a van to buy if you want a collectable.
A few also on carsales.com.au as well.
Good Luck.

[jaws 09]

hey.
for anyone who is interested im selling my van.
its in newcastle nsw.
in great condition. a couple of tiny rust spots ( mainly in rear doors, but it has two RUST FREE spare doors going with it along with a bunch of other spares... )
around 48000 on the clock. almost out of rego.
sell for $3400 without rego or $4000 with 12 months rego.
if you are keen then let me know and i will put some pics up.

email... a_new_hope@msn.com

cheers. james