Melina Blue Project

[puma_fras]

As starting to get into this project fully, thought best to start a thread to document things, this is the car as purchased Feb 2023.



A very nice example loved by the previous owner and a bible like thickness book of history and receipts.

1998 1.7

History as described when purchased:-
Front brake discs, pads and calipers
Rear shoes, wheel cylinders, shoe fitting kit, drums and handbrake cable (all sections)
New fuel tank, sender unit and fuel filter.
New wheel bearings all round
New shocks and racing puma springs
New power steering rack fitted last year
Cambelt replaced last year
Front and rear strut braces.
Hoffman cat back exhaust
Rear arches done with new steel

Mods:-
Rear axle stripped painted and poly bushed.
17" deep dish wheels

He had sourced a full FRP interior over a number of years which is dedication, and looks great!

 

[puma_fras]

I am not a fan of light 'eyelids' so I had them removed and headlights restored by a professional company.





Very pleased with the results.

 

[puma_fras]

The 17"s the car came with combined with 40 profile rubber (and poly bushed rear beam) was a bit too stiff for my local roads and 40 something year old body, so the next change was some 6.5x16" Romac wheels, shod in 205/45/R16 semi slick Yokahoma rubber. It is a bit more forgiving on the potholes now but still super firm and the tyres are noticeable in increase in grip in both braking and handling.






Essentially looks wise the car is now complete for me in terms of cosmetics, I always wanted it to look pretty much OEM, so I don't plan on changing much else looks wise. Up next the plans to upgrade the braking which as this is an early car has the super small discs up front.

 

[puma_fras]

so although been a little while getting the ST150 brakes ready, did a fair bit of work today. The calipers will be blue but we are seeing how a small puma logo will look in silver, hence the silver base coat.

 

[puma_fras]

 

[Wild E. Coyote]

Ah, sandblasting cabinet. Have been meaning to get me one for ages...! How big is it and how big is your compressor setup?

 

[puma_fras]

Ah, sandblasting cabinet. Have been meaning to get me one for ages...! How big is it and how big is your compressor setup?

It is a friends, but believe is 90 Litres, compressor I believe 200 Litre 3hp

 

[puma_fras]

Going to be a slight delay getting these fitted as have been provided the wrong sized piston in the rebuild kit, so will call the company on Monday.

But my friend has been working on these with the decal today.

 

[Cubatoo]

Shiny headlights and blue brakes with Puma logo, mint!
Can you say who did the headlights please?

 

[puma_fras]

Shiny headlights and blue brakes with Puma logo, mint!
Can you say who did the headlights please?

Thank you, got lots of GO plans but getting the stopping sorted first

https://headlightsparkle.com/
Would highly recommend

 

[puma_fras]

Rear disc shopping list, @Wild E. Coyote if you can comment please.

I have:-
ST150 rear stubs, calipers, carriers, backplates (may skip those), handbrake cable, discs, pads, Escort Estate ABS loom inc sensors, got some new Puma ABS rings on the way.

I know the ST150 ones will mean messing around with handbrake cable/beam, but doesnt seem too much work.

Anything I have missed?

 

[Cubatoo]

Thank you, got lots of GO plans but getting the stopping sorted first

https://headlightsparkle.com/
Would highly recommend

Thank you. Mine are needing love

 

[puma_fras]

Nothing much this weekend, got the Kenwood double DIN headunit in, which highlighted the front speaker wasn't working, found a couple of 'choc boxes' which I then soldered and heat shrunk, generally tided up the wiring. My digital clocks arrived but with a broken rev needle, so will need to swap that over when testing is complete. Fitted 2 new Bosch wipers and cabin filter, and gave her a good clean before going back in the garage for the week.

 

[TomEbbs]

The car sits really nice on the 16" What suspension are you running?

 

[puma_fras]

The car sits really nice on the 16" What suspension are you running?

The previous owner got the ride height spot on!

I believe standard shocks and FRP springs.

 

[TomEbbs]

The previous owner got the ride height spot on!

I believe standard shocks and FRP springs.

Good to know. Decent ride?

 

[puma_fras]

Good to know. Decent ride?

Running on 205/45/16s Yoka semi slicks, and is a firm but decent ride, I think the Poly bushed rear beam makes the pot holes a bit rough, but generally all okay and no issues with speed bumps etc.

 

[puma_fras]

So after many hours of 'fettling' happy with the new headunit and surround

 

[puma_fras]

Not much change this weekend, during the week I fitted a Amazon job dual DAB/FM aerial, which I had my doubts about but looks great and works perfectly, looks like the oem but shorter.

Haven't had chance to measure, but after looking at the interior pics, does anyone know the steering wheel ford oval size? I think with a proper sized ford oval it would make the wheel look more modern.

Just been enjoying driving in the sun, I fitted the genuine ford puma floors mats. Happy days.

 

[puma_fras]

The ST150 brakes are fitted, was dark so couldn't get a good shot behind the wheels but can tell they bite much better and overall great pedal feel.

Also added HEL black stainless brake lines.

Th