Bought '86 240 GL auto wagon rear axle comp. from mate, spare brass radiator, 2x 4yo shocks and 1 engine fan assy @ $200-. Can't complain. Have solid steel torque links, everything with new rubbers. Will drain & refill diff, and fit the new handbrake cables. I'll fit in-hub adjusters to the handbrake.

My OEM Brit made Aluminium radiator with plastic tanks is rubbish. The top hose joint is always too hot and generates leaks. Being Aluminium, it can't easily be re-soldered if a leak develops, so it's going to be scrapped. The small thermal conductivity consequences are bearable. The easier repairability of brass is a big improvement. What's so special about the thermostat that it's 3x the price of ordinary ones, ditto thermostat housings? Do I have a choice of lower opening temperature ones?

Q. Is the diff LSD variety? What lube is necessary?

It might be a better quality car, but that doesn't justify profiteering on basic comsumable parts, especially aftermarket ones. I object to being robbed for the privilige of owning a more functional vehicle than anything else I could have bought for the same capital. I didn't buy it for looks, safety or status, I bought it because it was practical-it's beginning to be apparent that even practicability has an high price. Still, I did expect to spend abt $2K over 2 yrs debugging it. Then I hope to keep it for abt 10 yrs, running costs & $18KPA income permitting. Of course, if/when Ford ditch them, or another monumental stuff-up by management, the price of spares will increase again to cover the shareholders' losses. It's a cruel world......