Biting the bullet and converting my EK

[Oldnblue]

Ok, things got delayed a little while I renovated my bathroom (what a turd of a job that was!!!), but I spent pretty much every spare second this week working on the EH - removed the engine, gearbox and front end - and I can finally say everything is out of the car and ready to be stripped down and re-conditioned where required.
The engine seems to be in fantastic condition...a couple surprises that I wasn't aware of (eg: when I pulled off the rocker cover I found it's running Yella Terra roller rockers and they look to be near brand new...can't argue with that...lol).

Anyway, tomorrow will start on a few jobs. I'll clean up the HR front, get all the muck off it and see what condition everything is in. Remove the gearbox from the engine and get the block up on the engine stand so I can start disassembling it. Looking forward to seeing what work has/hasn't been done to the head already. It had a fair bit of pull, so I'm assuming the previous owner warmed it up a little.

Will post a few progress pics tomorrow if I can get my wife's camera from work.

Cheers, Scott

[Oldnblue]

Sheesh...it's been forever. Things have been happening but I decided to pump a little more money into the conversion than originally planned. If it's gonna get done it may as well be done well.
The engine has been fully re-built. Nearly everything replaced, balanced etc etc. Cost a packet but will be one tough lil' sucker once back in use. It's nearly fully reassembled and waiting patiently on an engine stand.
The HR front end has just been completed. Again, fully re-built...blasted and powdercoated, all parts replaced, completely new brakes etc etc.
Buckets are at the upholsterers and nearly finished being re-trimmed in reproduction Holden metallic blue...much like the original upholstery (but better...lol). Should get 'em back in a week or two.
Gearbox just needs a new coat of paint to sparke like the rest of the gear.
CRS auto tunnel on its way up from Castlemaine.
Chassis kit being custom built soon.
Diff will be one of the final steps before the car is yanked off the road. Haven't started it yet as still trying to source a 3.08 centre.

Will try getting a few snaps of the bits and pieces on the weekend. they look so nice and shiny I almost want to hang 'em on the wall as art

So far, a lot of money has been spent with a fair bit more still to come, but damn she'll have some pick up once finished. It's amazing how long some of this stuff can take though. I thought I'd be all done by now...yeah, right.

Cheers, Scott

[Oldnblue]

Holy crap...that took longer than expected!!!
Went for the first drive in the (nearly) finished EK this arvo...and damn, what a blast. The ol' girl goes like a bat out of hell now. It's a freakin' hoot! The car's got some balls now...almost a little unhinged to be honest. I'm going to have to learn not to go too hard. Spun the wheels at the lights without meaning to.
As you can probably tell, I'm excited!!

Just a few cosmetic things to be done before the car goes to the engineer to be signed off, then over the next couple months will re-visit ride height (at the moment she's sitting too high for my liking and needs maybe another 2 inches drop), new exhaust, cruiser skirts, final decision on rim treatment/trim...that's about it.

Will try to take a few snaps over the next few days.

I'm off for another drive..lol

[Blacky]

Good stuff oldnblue - the first drive always gets ya motivated

[Sputzwagon]

PHOTOS, Scott!!!

Scotty.

[Oldnblue]

Kick ass!! Engineer signed off on all the mods today, Shannons bumped the insurance up to my requested value, QLD Transport changed over all rego details/numbers...ready to hit the road:

The list of changes is pretty standard for this mod but what the hell...here's a run down.

* rebuilt HR front end, lowered springs (not low enough now that it's in the car)


* re-built 179 with roller rockers, yella Terra head, twin strombergs, extractors


* HT radiator, thermo fan replacing engine fan


* re-built Celica 5spd, heavy duty clutch, custom x-member


* 5mm bands rosette welded top and bottom of tunnel


* old column shift completely removed - all traces gone...s'like it never happened


* CRS tunnel installed...slight mods required for a snug fit. Rear tunnel cut and replaced with bigger section


* all floors cut out




...and replaced


* Bench seat cut, modified to suit floor shift, and re-trimmed. Carpets fitted (cheap ones 'cos I ran out of money... )


* autometer gauges - oil, volts, temp. Simple install, neat, visible, nothin' fancy


* halogen headlights
* new wiring harness
* collapsible steering column


* re-built steering box
* EH diff with re-built 3.08 and HR rear brakes to match front end
* tailshaft balanced
* HR rims, mediablasted and powdercoated


* Bullet caps and nuts (done a million times but still my fave)


* SunnyRob lenses


* Couple o' fun touches


Still on the way...
Waiting for SuperLow springs to arrive, bring the front down more
Rear springs to be re-set to match once front is lowered
Paul Kelly cruiser skirts
New exhaust...something with a bit of bite

...and that'll be pretty much it. Only thing left to do is drive it...fast

[parisian62]

Scott,

Wow! that is verrry tasty. Attention to detail and the mods fit in perfectly...like the front bench and shifter... Congrats!

I'm off for another drive..lol

...I don't blame you!

Stewart

[Blacky]

Looks sweet as ....

[Trev]

Well done, a pic of the whole car would be great .

[Rusty EK]

looks good ,well done Enjoy

[Thommo]

Nice cruiser
Great job Scott, its a credit to you
Bet you cant wait to rack up some miles.

Cheers
Jeff

[Oldnblue]

Credit goes mostly to a mate who did the hard yards on the car. He's a skilled hand with a welder and a spanner and the car wouldn't be done without him.

[Mick Jagger]

yeah

[Oldnblue]

Meant to say before...the guy who signed off on all the mods was a decent cat. Was helpful, positive and keen to see old cars on the road. Said he had no hesitation knocking back poorly modified cars, but very happy to put his name to jobs well done. Asked a very fair price too. I'd recommend him to anyone in Brisbane who is looking for an engineer for their projects.
PM me if you want a name and number.

[EK283]

Very nice indeed !!!!!

Can I ask where you got the rear floorpans from ?

Regards Greg