Project car -- what to get?

trixyben

So i'm going to buy a cheap car to use as a type of project car were i will pratice changing the timing belt, clutch, head gasket, gearbox, maybe even remove the engine and split and rebuild it etc

So what do I get??? Is there a particular motor, anything at all, that is that bit easier to work around and have access around things etc?

My very first car was a 96 punto and it nearly broke me with repairs, at the time I hadnt a clue about motors and just through money at it on endless repairs, so i had thought about getting one of these again.

So any suggestions folks, anything at all.

Jammy Donut

Fiesta

andyseadog

Jammy Donut wrote: »

Fiesta

was just going to say that, one of the old 1.3's would be a very good basic engine... wont be changing a timing belt on one though :pac:

eth0

A kit car from the year dot.

No srsly, try and aim for a 'paddy special' car. A big yoke with a tiny engine in it because you'll have a good bit of space in the engine bay to make it easy for you to work on

Pdfile

you need 3 things op.

Cheap, plentiful and japanese... despite people saying bigger is better... diahatsu charades sirions etc are brilliant 3 cyl engines,


nissan sunny, 1.6 CA edition engine is another bulletproof motor worth nothing these days...


choices are their if you follow the 3 above rules imo.

DublinDilbert

Pick up a car with a broken timming belt. The you can practice stripping the engine, doing HG, water pump etc...

Peugeot 206 or something like a focus etc...

Deminiman

Old fiats are pretty simple, fiesta, corsa. I'd say something with a pushrod engine would pretty simple to learn from.

George Dalton

A 1.1/1.2 8v Punto is about as easy to work on as they come. They are also a non interference engine so messing up the timing has no negative implications. We sold a 2003 Punto with a blown head gasket for €200 last week so you would pick one up pretty cheap too. Parts are also readily available and affordable.

trixyben

George Dalton wrote: »

A 1.1/1.2 8v Punto is about as easy to work on as they come. They are also a non interference engine so messing up the timing has no negative implications. We sold a 2003 Punto with a blown head gasket for €200 last week so you would pick one up pretty cheap too. Parts are also readily available and affordable.

I learned that pretty fast George that the punto was a non interference as TB snapped at only around 30k adn I thought that was it! ending up being the cheapest rapair i had to get done if i remember right!

I seen one for sale for 250 said the headgasket blown, would it matter if the car was drove a good distance with no water and cooked altogether? would the engine be to far overheated and gone to start splitting and trying to rebuild?

ShadowHearth

Get a 1.6 Mazda mx5 mk1 cheap. It can be your fun cat then too.
It is a sports car, but the Beauty of it, that it is very nicely and simply built.

dgt

If you get a Punto you will most likely see the neglect and abuse they get. Worthwhile experience if you really want to see why they have a poor rep and a proper resto

Beware cooked engines, possibility the oil rings will be broke.

MidlandsM

George Dalton wrote: »

A 1.1/1.2 8v Punto is about as easy to work on as they come. They are also a non interference engine so messing up the timing has no negative implications. We sold a 2003 Punto with a blown head gasket for €200 last week so you would pick one up pretty cheap too. Parts are also readily available and affordable.

yep, was gonaa suggest a punto, or a cheap mazda mx5

Gary ITR

George Dalton wrote: »

A 1.1/1.2 8v Punto is about as easy to work on as they come. They are also a non interference engine so messing up the timing has no negative implications. We sold a 2003 Punto with a blown head gasket for €200 last week so you would pick one up pretty cheap too. Parts are also readily available and affordable.

Don't be admitting you sold a dodgy car in public :eek:


:pac:

kermitpwee

mk2 golf, jetta

Woogy

Worked on a Fiesta as college work and seems to be very easy to work around.Also id say a Mark 3 Golf...would make for a savage project too if you wanted to go down that road.

For Forks Sake

Blown head gasket eh, mid-late 90's Astra or Vectra should see you right.

Mully_2011

A celica can be had for nothing and theres lots of clean examples still left

SJPK

Woogy wrote: »

Worked on a Fiesta as college work and seems to be very easy to work around.Also id say a Mark 3 Golf...would make for a savage project too if you wanted to go down that road.

which college course did you have to work on a car for?

Greyfoot

Join me in the following days, I'll be rebuilding my Lancer, an extra hand is always welcomed

Dr.Rieux

SJPK wrote: »

which college course did you have to work on a car for?

There's a good few courses in Bolton Street which have people working on cars.

SJPK

oh right, never knew there was actual hands-on stuff... anyways, back to which project car

Greyfoot

SJPK wrote: »

oh right, never knew there was actual hands-on stuff... anyways, back to which project car

Was only messing, could made ye a cup of tea and a few biscuits for a days work.

On topic: fiesta, punto, astra, golf.