Gimme 5 years

[62ekute]

thanks Rob, I'll have a look. I was just reading up on adjusting the engaging mechanism on the Lucas (in the ute) and the Bosch (spares). Patrick

[62ekute]

I decided to pull out the Lucas starter motor and see why it doesn't always engage with the flywheel...that was a quick job. No top bolt and the two others were hand tight.

Thought I may as well put in the Bosch starter motor that I recently had a look at - then there's no hurry to check out the Lucas - blue starter motor nicely matches my battery lead

starter 5.jpg (86.48 KiB) Viewed 727 times

Patrick

[Errol62]

That'll do it. Looks nice.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[In the Shed]

Shiny

[62ekute]

The radiator was empty when I got the ute, and surprisingly sat there and held the coolant I put in it for quite some time...but now that I've been running the engine, there's been a bit of coolant down along the bottom edge.

I decided that I didn't want to chase that sort of thing (and prefer to only use stop leak products in an emergency) so picked up one of these

Radiator 1.jpg (102.48 KiB) Viewed 698 times

Patrick

[Blacky]

VERY shiny

[Errol62]

Seems to be quite a variation in price and quality on the ally radiators

FB ute driver, EK van project

[62ekute]

Seems to be quite a variation in price and quality on the ally radiators

FB ute driver, EK van project

Hi Clay, yeah, I went with the only one I found with the same dimensions as what was in the ute already (core height 392mm). I found lots advertised for FX and FJ and also for FE and FC but not too many for FB and EK - time will tell how it goes

Roadstar Australia advertise the one I got as suitable for FX to EK --- BUT most of the ones advertised (by others) for earlier models are about 2 inches taller than mine and the FX and FJ ones have larger diameter hose connections (so it's worth checking dimensions rather than the advertiser's description)

radiator 3.jpg (80.52 KiB) Viewed 663 times

Patrick

[ardiesse]

"Hi Clay, yeah, I went with the only one I found with the same dimensions as what was in the ute already (core height 392mm). I found lots advertised for FX and FJ and also for FE and FC but not too many for FB and EK - time will tell how it goes

Roadstar Australia advertise the one I got as suitable for FX to EK --- BUT most of the ones advertised for earlier models are about 2 inches taller than mine and the FX and FJ ones have larger diameter hose connections (so it's worth checking dimensions rather than the advertiser's description)"

FE,FC,FB, and EK manuals all take the same radiator.

FX-FJ radiators are about 2" taller than FE-EK (which is why the people who race FE-FCs put Humpy radiators in them). But original FX-FJ radiators have the same size hose connections as FE-EK, so I'm surprised that aftermarket FX-FJ radiators are different.

On second though, perhaps not. Aftermarket radiators could be intended for people who swap engines.

Your radiator looks taller than an original. Not much though. (Goes outside and pops hood on FC) Of course. Radiator baffles are different, so it's not a direct comparison. But your top tank appears to be maybe 3/4" or so taller than the original.

Rob

[ardiesse]

Oh, and -

"suitable for FX to EK" needs to be interpreted carefully. Apart from the height difference, the mounting styles differ widely.

FX radiators have a full-height mounting flange with six bolt holes.
FJ radiators attach at four places, but use rubber vibration isolators. The mounting "ears" for FJs are at half-depth.
And FE-EK have four "ears" at the front, like yours.

Rob

[62ekute]

Thanks Rob... like I said - don't trust the ads - and yeah, the glare in that pic might be making it look bigger (so shiny)

Here's a pic of mine from when I got the ute and a pic of the new one without the glare

9.jpg (39.9 KiB) Viewed 640 times

IMG_20210313_165042.jpg (73.99 KiB) Viewed 640 times

Here's some examples of ads

FX - FJ 434mm core height : 590mm with tanks : 42mm hose
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3ROW-ALUMIN ... ctupt=true


FE - FC 442mm core height : 589mm with tanks : 32mm hose
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3Row-Core-A ... Sw9bZfGUCZ

FB - EK (advertised as FX - EK) 392mm core height : 515mm with tanks (my measurement) : 32mm hose
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/26401740489 ... vaEALw_wcB

Patrick

[ardiesse]

So the "FE-FC" is the right height and hose diameter for FX/FJ. Mounting style suggests FX, but using only four of the original six bolts, provided that the spacing is right.
The "FB-EK" is the right height and hose diameter for FE-EK manual. Bracket positioning and alignment looks a bit approximate, it the photos are any guide.
And the "FX-FJ" has the full-height mounting flanges to suit FX, but you need to provide your own holes. And the 42 mm diameter hose connections are a problem if you still have a grey motor.

Rob

[Errol62]

Will you paint the front black Patrick? Reckon this would improve heat exchange. Appearance is moot as some like the hot rod look.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[62ekute]

Will you paint the front black Patrick? Reckon this would improve heat exchange. Appearance is moot as some like the hot rod look.

FB ute driver, EK van project

Hi Clay, not sure yet - the ute is up on blocks too close to the garage to see it properly...not really keen on painting aluminium without etch primer first - I suppose a couple of thin layers of paint is possible - without affecting airflow too much...maybe more red is in order. Patrick

[62ekute]

I thought I better get back to the gearbox.

The chassis ears led me to the rear of the gearbox so removed the driveshaft and gearbox rear extension. a bit too much end play in the main shaft (no feeler gauge necessary), so I pulled the gearbox out

gearbox 1.jpg (77.35 KiB) Viewed 568 times

out to the dirty bench for a quick degrease

gearbox 2.jpg (100.29 KiB) Viewed 568 times

and inside just as the rain set in

gearbox 3.jpg (67.53 KiB) Viewed 568 times

Patrick
P.S haven't got to the clutch pressure plate yet and it's already red