Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

[Errol62]

Mate came for a stout and we turned the Ute around. It's tricky ad my block is about one in six slope. Dump trucks only like 1:12. Bit of useless trivia from my mining days. Anyway she is ready to receive the motorvation when I've finished bolting fings up.

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[EK283]

Cool stuff Clay,

Looking at the pictures has reminded me of the days I played around with the big block sixes, especially the gearbox end. I was young and too keen and the first mod was to put the 186 in from a donar car, the mighty Kingswood !!!!!!! This is easy, pull the motor and tranny out of both cars compare the flywheels clutch and bolt pattern, again how easy is this !!!!
Got the car running and pounded the pavement for 3 month, until the gearbox started whining and then just grinded to a halt Bugger.
The culprit ? The bronze bush in the back of the crank, the owner of the Kingswood had replaced the motor and it was from an auto car and never had the spigot bearing install, I guess it pays to check everything.
Greg

[Errol62]

Yes they are easy to put together and fit. The rear bolt on the exhaust manifold us virtually impossible to get at when installed in a stock FB. I haven't touched box or clutch or split from motor. Just replaced intake and exhaust, fuel pump, water pump, oil and filter and painted. Might put the motor in before I replace the drag link.

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[Errol62]

Engine in and turns over on the starter.

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[Errol62]

Engine enamel on the HD steering gear. Effn rodder


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

Bit of up skirt


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

Drag link fitted up. Now I am getting full lock with no fouling. Oh and clearance to sump on both locks. Yippee!




FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[62ekute]

moving along nicely (quickly) Clay ... don't you get winter over your way?

[Errol62]

Set toe in to 4mm.
Decent shed helps Patrick. A couple of nice days to 15C, clear and no wind to speak of. Last weekend bucketed down and blew near gale force.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

Only problem, couldn’t get the tapers to torque up on the outer tie rod ends. They keep spinning even with the rattle gun.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[ardiesse]

Clay,

Well done you. Go nuts with a grease gun before driving.

An old FJ trick to cure creaky rear brake drums is to get a beer can and cut out a shim to go over the rear axle taper and refit the rear drums. The purists will use shim brass instead. Might you have to do something similar with your tie rod ends? (Which is why I hesitate to use non-OEM tie rod ends )

Rob

[EK283]

Great stuff Clay,

Wheel alignment should be done with the car flat on the ground under its own weight. I do realise this is just the set up stage although

Greg

[Errol62]

Probably right Rob. They nipped up no problem first time around. Trouble is I can’t undo them to put shim in. I’ll see if they freeze up over winter.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

Yes Greg, was thinking that all the while. Was about two inches of toe out to start. I did have the stands as far outboard as possible, under the outer pivots. Might have a play with adjusting the camber and caster when I bleed the brakes. I noticed passenger side front hose is rubbing on tyre.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie