Clay’s Wedgewood Blue FB Ute

[Errol62]

Silly me stuffed up the dates and process. Anyway they will fit me in but won't get much work done today.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[In the Shed]

So……….. jelly bean fats back on for a bit?

[Blacky]

The one I have is a 6600 series Harv , I found the American website when I was researching them but I wanted it for the nationals especially as we were touring around " NSW - The revenue raiser State " It turned up a few days before the ute was due to leave , i realised it wasn't going to fit so I loaded it into the ute , ordered the extension cable and fitted it all in my parents driveway in Sylvania. The angle drive one might work, the 6600 will screw in but the outgoing cable wont fit.

[Errol62]

Ho hum, identity check.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[Harv]

The one I have is a 6600 series Harv ... The angle drive one might work, the 6600 will screw in but the outgoing cable wont fit.

Thankyou sir. You just saved me another headache. I'll order the angle driver too and see how I go.

Ho hum, identity check.

Must.... not.... spin.... wheels.... on.... polished.... concrete....

Cheers,
Harv

[Errol62]

Here is what they picked me on:
Minor brake fluid leaks rear centre joiner and diff union.
Exhaust out the side.
Front left wheel bearing play. These are all dumbarse easy fix.
Clearence to front bump stops queried but not verified.
Modified crossmember may require welding certification/engineers report!? Clarify these last two by issuing new statement of require ments. They required duo servo drum brakes but I fitted discs which confused them.

They didn't fail me so I can go back December 15th on the same $293 fee. I think the last two issues will be sorted out with vehicle standards.

FB ute driver, EK van project

[Wrongway Roger]

Good to see that they did not fail you for minor issues.
I understood the exhaust end, needs to be more than 300 mm past the last opening window. Let see what they say.
As for the bump stops, do as I did on the wagon, cut off 20 mm and reshape them with a grinder so they look stock.

[Blacky]

Did they say what the issue with the side exit exhaust was ? May get away with putting a turndown on it if its exiting straight out ?

[Errol62]

The old boy didn’t like the exhaust but wasn’t sure if it was far enough from the door opening or not. He said if I angled it back more might be ok. Then he said blanket rule no exhaust exiting on the kerb side. I suggested very politely that that was after a certain year, and that the stock FB exhaust exits to kerb side under the bumperette. I’m going to put it over the rear axle in any case.

Picked up rebuilt X2 carbs today so I will fit them and get headers and exhaust sorted. I will put in a revised modification request specifying the X2 set up and HR crossmember with disc brakes. Just got to find a good exhaust shop as the guy I hoped to use is off until February.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[In the Shed]

Hi Clay

Obviously the old chap doing the inspection was not a hoon in his youth!

I used AAA Exhausts at Richmond to do my complete stock exhaust and was very happy with the job and service. They are just down the road from your work.

Stephen

[Errol62]

Thanks Stephen. I know Roger uses them too. Funnily, when I got my headers done next door at pacemaker, they recommended guys somewhere out west. I asked them about AAA and they said it depends what you want, but didn’t bag them. Guy at work with an impala recommended them as well. They are handy so I’ll give them a go.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

The old boy wasn’t worried about minor leak from the gearbox. Typical three speed he said.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Brett027]

Hi Clay, can you remind me where and what you mounted your retractable seat belt reel to and where/ how you mounted the top bracket.
Chèrs

[Blacky]

I did it the lazy way , mine are bolted through the back wall rather than the pillars , the belt has a 90 degree twist in it from floor to top mount on the B pillar but it doesn't affect the function of it.

[Errol62]

Come on Brett, just scroll back to page 9*,7&$,00@.

Drilled hole first then opened up bottoms of b-pillars in an inverted u cut, bent top out and slid plate down on to protruding bolt. Tightened bolt and straightened it all out before butt welding up, assuming plate will be captured with that weld.

Top was simply slipped in a factory opening and pop riveted in place after securing with bolt. Buckles went to opposite side tunnel walls and the centre lap outside these, all at 150mm spacing from memory. Not bad remembering that after a night on the turps.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie