fbekholden.com

Thanks Blacky.

I’m pretty sure FB sedan front and rear centre are identical to each other. I’m certain that EK sedan front and rear centre are identical. EK has an extra hole on the lower part to suit the longer overriders, making them different to FB, but the FB one can be easily converted to EK simply by drilling. Why would you of course? Well if you were somewhat futilely seeking to improve your EK by putting FB bits on it…… 8 ) 8 )


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Thanks birthday boy

Finished mounts on steering column today. Some complicated shapes under the dash to deal with and slight relocation of the torrie ignition switch to fit it inside the pedal box. It is nice and strong and keeps the option of the original EK column bracket if I want to use it or just bolts if not. The pedal box has now been changed to fit dual diaphragm booster, the cable clutch and now collapsible steering. A very important piece of car.

Overall a pretty straightforward conversion and given the column cost $150 a pretty cheap one too. I ended up buying a nylon bush ($70) and ditching my home made one, but enjoyed playing on the little lathe anyway. The rag joint was probably as much as column but can't recall. Mock steering wheel fitted in photos. I will fill the holes where the auto indicator was and locate the bottom trim piece and paint. I can do those bits after the column is installed.
It is simple as to undo the 3 mounting bolts and the firewall plate and box end of rag joint and slip it out. I've done it many times now

I had to cut 100mm off the bottom of the column to match EK steering wheel setup and remove the auto selector tube. A floor change column would be very easy to convert but I see they are getting a bit pricy now.

Put an off the shelf oil seal in the steering box end while everything was out and ditched the felt one. I hope this encourages others to have a go.

Selby front and back sway bars arrived today too.

Love your work Brett!!

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

Love your work too Clay

Get a room you 2 ........

Whats up grumpy?

Thanks for sharing Brett. One of the many jobs that's ahead of me that I am not looking forward to! You have made it look easy.

If you are happy with a more modern looking column and matching steering wheel it is very, very easy Scott. I chose to use the torrie breakaway mount, but you could also just use a double mount where the original steering column dash bracket bolts on like the US hot rod style. My engineer prefers things to stay Holden wherever possible so that's partly why I went torrie mount system. I was not allowed to modify the shaft but could change rhe column. As it was, the only change was cutting off the bottom 100mm which included losing the auto selector slots, so actually made the mod easier. The bottom nylon bush was a standard LJ floorshift column fitting and the inner shaft just slid up 100mm without any other work needed.
If you want to retain the original wheel and honey pot, it is a wee bit harder because the centre shaft and/or the wheel boss will need modifying to work. The FB/EK top bearing retainer will work on 70s holden columns with a later nylon bearing fitted and therefore the honeypot and original blinkers switch can be fitted. Column shift is more complex again, with floor shift the easiest option.
I have a spare LJ auto selector tube if someone wants it by the way.

Or of course, you can just buy one already done

I will have to interrogate the Crupi boys and see what collapsible column shift setup they use.

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

Frank says Barney is starting to really get close to the finish line now Brett.

Frank is astute as well as good looking. Engine in soon. Then a lot of wiring and heater/aircon unit....

Finished installing the steering today. Picture of underdash work. I added one of those steering box braces to stiffen things up as the column no longer contributes and I have to say it definately makes a significant difference. Money well spent.

Motor in this afternoon. Slipped in easily so all that preperation paid off. Clutch has a good feel too.

Wiper motor on prior to motor going in.

Tidy work as usual