89 SIERRA Saphire
SR(street racer) 2.0i
Project Shhleeper
Watch for updates on my expensive atempt at importing this car to the states. So Far I have been quoted $5,000 all the way up to $15,000. I will include a links to helpfull sites on my Link page. If I can get a letter from Ford stating that the cars are similar enough I might be able to take it over just as a personall item, no one has ever done this so that creates a chalenge. IF I suceed I might have the first actuall Sierra in the states. How cool would that be. And yes it still does not run!! 22July2002
August 06-2001; Purchased for $900. The interior needed some cleaning due to a previous smoker (yellowish tinted), the exterior saw one of those quick wash and wax facilities, so it needed some esterior cleaning, once the hase was cleaned off the sxterior I noticed that there was what looks like tree sap, and some areas where the paint had burnt, along with a key mark on the drivers side. Once the scratches and damaged areas are fixed and the paint has seen a clay bar; a good coat of wax will be applied. The motor had the usuall CVH engine dirty areas. The only body damage is the front spoiler (Rinkled paint and some paint from the item) where it had hit curbs or parking blocks. In the interior, besides being coated with cig smoke, there was some trash under the rear seat and the stearing wheel had seen plenty use. The steering wheel will need to be recovered. Recaro seats and the RS stearing wheel were present but no stereo, tach or other high performance type stuff that would usually be found in a RS. When driving the engine hinted at maybe one minor problem, but felt very strong. So strong that my escort rebuilt 1.6L escort motor didn't match, wich makes me wonder why a hevier bigger car would feel so much stronger? The exterior has been lowered with new rims and tires, and ground effects added to the front and back but not the middle, the fog lights look to be removed (not there). Top speed is not determined yet but probly about 170kph.
September 05-2001; Took it to the shop and changed the oil for the first time and rewelded the muffler back up after it falling a week a ago. The car took well to the Castrol GTX 20w/50.
September 24-2001; Built headlight Eye Brows and installed them. Late in the week I was driving at 70kph and the drivers side one broke, so I took them back off till i make better stronger ones.
September 26-2001; Finally found out why the car was overheating. The fan temp. switch sensor was shot. So I replaced it and all is good now.
October 15-2001; Got the interior Steam cleaned and the engine cleaned and shined. That was the longest four hours for me, while my car was with the cleaner.
October 16-2001;Traveled around town and got some new floor mats, a steering wheel wrap, and some tint to tint the windows next time I get a chance. And a new windsheild wiper.
October 19-2001;Tinted both rear windows, used 320 grit sandpaper to get rid of the factory fade thingies, remind self never to use that again because it did scratch the window; not much but it did enough, however still did the job. Use 1500 grit like the article in MM&FF said.
The Sierra Links Page for parts and tunning information along with some other choice sites.
October 20-2001;Tinted the front drivers with pour quality (will redo ASAP) and started on the passenger side but realized there was not enough tint on the roll left to finish the job.
November 08-2001;Installed 5 1/4" kenwood speakers in doors. The reciever and rest will soon come. also I did finish the passenger tint sometime inbetween the last entry.
December 09-2001; I believe the head gasket Blew today on my way to a junk-yard. I noticed it once I got to a stoping point and my car was idling rough, as I took off I noticed it was smoking white. I was not sure wether to leave it and have it towed or just drive it. After much thinking I decided to just drive it back because it was not all that bad. Got back and it stopped smoking and was idling fine however all off the colant had burnt out and the fan would just stay on the whole time providing enough cooling to keep the motor from exploding. I just hope it is not a cracked block!! If so I will be putting a 2.3 turbo in or possibly a dohc turbo if I can find one. Ofcourse EFI if it is not to extreme of a job.
December 11-2001; I just want to add that it is a sad thing when you go to an auto parts store and they don't carry torque wrenches. I am startin to think that the AAFES Sucks! Yet I keep goin back to see if they have a part that they should but don't. Probly has something to do with the employees that work ther do not know anything about cars beyond driving thier car to the auto store down the street. Just had to blow some steam there.. I checked on getting the head gasket yesterday but I realized later that I will be better off getting a new valve cover gasket and new head bolts. I just hope that whenever I get a free couple of days to tear into the motor I don't find anymore problems than just the head gasket and a need for changing the oil. OOhhhhh I am so not looking forward to this!!! However I guess I finally got my rare car that it is almost impossible to find parts for.
December 24-2001; Spent my 4 day weekend tearing into the motor (while it was freezing) makes me wish I had my Mechanix gloves here in Germany. The head gasket was dirty but fine, the intake gasket I believe was the problem, the cylinder walls look brand new. I just remembered to look at how many KM's are on it and well after looking at it I realized this CAR only has about 30,000 miles on it, I guess I got my new car anyway! While taking it apart I decided to go ahead and make this my first attempt at porting and polishing, So I will be getting the grinding bits from JC-Whitney and a Dremel somewhere. I also decided to remove everyhting off of the intake so I can get the insides opened up. once I get it back from that I will either paint it or polish the outside to a chrome finish. I figure If I am going to do it might aswell go all the way!
Have a good Christmas.
January 31-2002; Bought a center console to cover the blank area in the center and installed it. Sorry no previous pics. The install was pretty straight forward, just make sure to get all of the brackets, the mounting position is marked on the body w/ a Dimple. Cutting of the carpet was required. I did not install the wires for the trunk release or the cig lighter yet. I also ordered all the parts needed to get the car back up on the road.
February 10-2002; Modified the harness for the Guage cluster, Installed it. Also deleted the Icons for engine light. Pictures and possible writup soon. Also notified that my parts were sent on tuesday, hopefully wednesday they will be in my hands!
March 1,2,3-2002; Recieved parts on thursday and spent the weekend installing them. OnceI was done I found out that the small crack on the 2nd cylinder on the head was enough to allow the car to run like crap. I think it might of been the originall problem. Big lesson learned. Now I got to get new gaskets and bolts, get the head fixed, and then reinstall it all. At this point I am not sure if I want to bother keeping the car. Almost tempted to strip it and send the parts to the states for install on a merkur, but then again their are no 89 merkurs (cool headlights and taillights). Also want to tnote that the Tach did not work on the new dash hmmmmmm.
September 2002; Pulled a 2.0i motor and all associated parts necissary to complete a swap. replaced Oil gaskets, to make the motor leak proof. Unfortunately the car did not start. Pictures will be available soon on link page.
November 2002; Extensive testing will have to be done to figure out why she does not work. She has got a fuel leak in the main fuel line, pump does not work, and possibly more problems. Will probly order the second wing for the car, and some side repeaters. [end of month] found out that thier was a relay missing. will have to readjust dist. timing. Then she should start up after I replace the injectors. should be running by Monday. YAHHH!
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