Project 2.

[Brett027]

Yes,thanks Billy. I have the GM style combination valve which is notorious for locking out rear lines while bleeding. In this case, not the problem. I have that gizmo that locks the slide and it's not the dual circuit protection valve needing a reset that is the fault. It's got the wrong prop valve spring in it and the master isn't making enough pressure to unseat it. Simple fix but not expected. I have a nice reco original Holden valve ready to go, but to fit it I would have to remake the first length of rear brake line which is quite a complex piece of pipe. Just can't be asked

[Brett027]

A few jobs sorted.
Adjusted clutch fork fulcrum post to get better action. Also installed a return spring on lever.
Spent a few hours shimming the steering box to better align it to column which has resulted in slightly lighter steering.
Rejetted CD150s from 6E needles to 6J. 6E are the standard LC XU1 Torana needle but running a bit lean for me. In the process discovered that when I put the colourtune sparkplug on number1 there was no spark. Number 1 lead (brand new set last week) was faulty. Engine back to a puuring roar now
Spent a whole day setting up tripple choke mechanism. Painfull, but necessary job. Had to install a non genuine choke inner as original was not long enough. Not happy with look but no choice. Chokes are heavy but work a treat.
Picture of choke setup for tripple enthusiasts

[funkyscooter]

Looking good Brett. How have you done the 3 into 1 on the choke? Is that a bracket mounted to the head? From memory mine just floated above the rocker cover and occasionally rattled against it with a rough idle.

[Brett027]

Yes I made a bracket with 2 legs that uses rocker cover bolts to secure it. The 3 in one gizmo is very clunky but is best available at the moment.

[Errol62]

Thanks Brett and nicely done. I’ve stalled on this aspect currently, chokes being the least of my worries. When I was working on it one of the issues I had was that the original choke wire, being thinner than the Torana reproduction would pull out of the clamp mechanism with the force required to pull all three chokes. The solution seemed to be to run one cable full length on the centre phase, requiring a longer than original choke wire.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

It looks tidy under the bonnet. Is it the dashboard side that you aren’t happy with the look of?


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Brett027]

Yes a horrible small modern knob. I am thinking I might section the original and glue it on to the new one! Otherwise source an original cable that's 60 inches long....

[Errol62]

So you have one continuous wire for the centre Brett?


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Brett027]

Yes, thats how they were done in the day. Couple of close up pics.

[Errol62]

Yep thanks. I’ll have to do same.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[funkyscooter]

Hey Brett, thanks for the pics and description. I am going to have to have a hunt around to see how mine was set up but pretty sure it was 3 short into 1 long to the dash. Definitely was a standard choke knob. What is the advantage/reasoning behind running the centre all the way through?

[Brett027]

Hi Scott, it requires a lot of force to pull all three at once and if you join the choke cable to a short one with just a screw clamp trying to clamp 2 cables at once, the risk is that it will slip. With a long centre one clamped at the carburetor and with the screw on the fitting as it goes through it is much more secure.

[Harv]

If you find that the choke setup is not working to your liking (too stiff, knob not right etc) then one option is to run the choke on only the centre carb. It's not the best thing for giving equal fuel to all cylinders, but the plenum manifold will help even it out a little (... not much worse than the original single Strommie). You won't be running the car long with the choke on either. You're not living down in cold, cold, cold Victoria, so would likely get away with it.

Cheers,
Harv

[Brett027]

Yes, I tried it on one, but engine was very rough and I didnt feel it was a good thing to do. My original cable only reached to the firewall carb so that wasn't helpful either. As we are still getting minus 4 on some mornings, a choke is a useful tool. Not having accelerator pumps makes it a necessary working component. And because of my personailty disorder, I dont enjoy jobs half done

[Errol62]

Yes it slips. Mine isn’t too bad just choking the centre carb. You get the idle up on all three due to linkages. But as you say stock cable only reaches the rear carb. Fitting original knob to a longer cable, I reckon that is an idea. I was thinking longer wire to original knob and rod but too much strain. Maybe take the stainless centre out, drill through, slip over and replace centre. But the old Bakelite is brittle. Almost need a separate thread for this.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie