Firstly got the car properly on 4 wheels by fitting a replacement nearside shock. Next stripped out the interior, removed the alarm and rollbar. Suddenly it looks a lot less daunting.
Purchased a Sierra CVH clutch kit and lugged that back from Norwich in my rucksack. Spent the rest of the night trying to straighten my back.
Nice, if you like tracing back every wire. The dash had been ripped out and no wires labeled. Thankfully it is a 1998 car so wiring diagrams are available somewhere on the net - like here.
The fuel tank is held in by some nylon straps with a buckle mechanism...and it moves about. Overall, the cables and pipes aren't that well secured and it would never have passed SVA in this state of build. Nothing that can't be put right though.
The 1.8CVH clutch kit didn't fit. It seems that while people say use the 1.8 Zetec flywheel they're not talking about the 1.8 Zetec from a 1998 Escort. The clutch plate locating dowels are located further out than the 1.8 CVH clutch. All isn't lost because it looks like I can use the Escort clutch cover and the CVH friction plate. A CCT133 release bearing completes the setup.
Used the engine hoist for the first time today. Made sure the gearbox was empty of oil by draining it all over the floor, so must remember to refil it before taking the car out.
Engine fitted but only with one rubber mount. Two pieces of wood currently support the RH mount until I can find a suitable mount with offset studs. Now it's even harder to move the car on the gravel drive due to the extra weight.
Another completed task was repairing the loom in the transmission tunnel. The loom had been poorly routed and had been damaged by the gearlever extension plate as well as by the handbrake yoke. The yoke also had been touching the brake pipe and fuel line but fortunately no damage had been done.
Cleaned the interior and removed more unneccessary additions to the loom. Removed the fuel tank that was held in by some nylon straps and gave it a good clean. Salvaged the steering wheel which required stainless bolts to finish off.
Another task completed includes freeing the siezed handbrake mechanism in the nearside brake so now I can move the car more easily. Almost did my back in lifting the 16 inch wheels - they've got to go.