I now have a ford sierra with a sohc engine which runs O.K. I also have the owners workshop manual.

The first thing I plan to do is to strip it down. Then I plan on refurbishing the various bits and bobs.

I read an article on electrolytic cleaning which sounds like an easy cheap and effective way of removing rust.

After I've removed the rust I know that some things need to be painted. So I wash them sand them get rid of the dust prime them and then paint them.

I know that I need high temperature paint for the engine bits. What sort of paint do I need for the other bits? I know that I don't paint things like the braking surfaces. Anything else I shouldn't be painting? Do I use the same primer on the engine or is there a high temp primer as well? What do you do to protect bare metal from rust? Smear it with a bit of Oil?

After this I plan to follow the haynes manual and overhaul the engine. Where am I going to get a full gasket set for a twenty year old car engine? What other bits will definitely need replacing?

Lots of simple questions for you. Hope you can help.
<flattery>Thank you very much you kind knowledgeable people. </flattery>

I painted most of my donor parts with either Screwfix' Red Oxide primer (followed by Homebase black exterior gloss) or with spray cans of plasticoat.

For engine paint I cheated and used the same stuff I'd used on the brakes- Halford brake gloss paint. It's ok but seems to chip quite easily. And it's crap if brake fluid gets on it!

Places I wouldn't paint are areas where gaskets or other mating surfaces are going to be as you don't want to risk failing to make a proper seal.

For gaskets- any decent motor factor will have Pinto stuff still. The first ones may be old but they went on until atleast '89.

As for other bits that need replacing- hard to say without seeing the engine itself. You can keep on replacing all the bits- it's just a question of money!

Hope that helps,
James

Halfords were selling off their sierra headsets, for a tenner a piece.

just fyi

they should probably have some in one near you.
tom

Thankyou both! I was planning on a trip to halfords anyway this weekend for various things that will be required.

I've been popping down to the halfords near work at lunch time to lust after the tools, I mean carefully consider my purchases.

Theres a bigger one near my house which I'm going to go to on saturday.

Just don't tell my wallet.

Worth mentioning that you don't need high temp paint for the engine block, only the cylinder head (and even that is usually ok with normal paint apart from near the exhaust ports.)

I use grey floor paint on my engine blocks and it looks spot on (in my opinion!)