fbekholden.com

Yep, in the workshop we had lots of premature reco engine failures from a particular reconditioner that I believe are still recoing engines ?? so I won't mention the name on a public forum.This was in the early '80's so they may have lifted their quality control since then if they are still in business.

The problems we had were machine swarf leftovers remaining in oil passages and eventually making way to, and blocking/partly blocking bearing feed holes in crankshafts leading to bearing and crank journal failure and swarf embedment in the bearing causing crank journal damage.

Better attention to cleaning the machineings out of the passages prior to asembly would have prevented this.

We changed to Repco Newcastle supplied engines and had no problems from there on.Interestingly, I don't think Repco Newcastle do engines anymore ??.

The acid tank process strips paint and oils/grease/dirt/ etc but the block just sits there happily boiling away and the water jackets don't really get flushed out just by hot tanking alone.The block should be pressure washed after hot tanking to remove sludge/rust etc that the hot tank doesn't remove.

Your radiator core will love you for it!!

FB MAD wrote: i don't think Repco Newcastle do engines anymore ??.

do any repco reco anything anymore do any repco outlets even know what they're on about went into my local repco the other day on the slim chance asked for a very simple thing (the old balljointed type ajustable accelorater linkage) the guy just gave me the blankest look had no idea what i was talking about and just after about a 30 second blank stare said no we don't have them

Yep, our local Repco store staff have the same blank look if you ask for parts made before 1990.

Well 8 months off the road and we've turned the corner.

Transmission seals replaced and hopefully this sorts out that annoying little leak that wouldnt go away. trans also copped a bit of love and attention care of a clean, prep and re-paint (black)

I collect my engine rotating group from the machinist on Monday, acid tanked, machined, whole shooting match is balanced and ready to rock.

Cam ground by Ivan Tighe cams to a mild street spec, nothing over the top, but a nice streetable grind apparently, lifters faced at same time and steel cam gear fitted.

Only major component left is the head.

So reassembly over the coming week or 3, clean and prep to re paint in grey motor grey.

The FB has been off the road to long. Cant wait to get it back where it belongs

Strogger ley us know what the cam is like.....might need one for Sue's car

Well the old girl lives again.!!

Idle's nice and is quite "lumpy" but not crazy..
Throttle is quite crisp and firing direct out of the exctractors sounds like grey motor heaven.


I'm off for a cold shower to settle me down a bit and finish up the assembly tomorrow.

Thanks to Craig for helping with the assembly and final tweaking the distributor that 180Deg i needed.


Watch this space, Pics to follow..

So the story so far, by photo;



Sept 2009 - Breakdown (Timing Gear) on the way home from a 400Klm round trip to Warwick QLD



Yep, timing gear is kaput alright



Engine comes out



Reveals a nasty surprise. Yuk



Spend a heap of this.



= Back in one peice.



Photo of the old girl after her first test flight.. Mmmm power upgrade, Not crazy, but definalty noticeable.

Now the important photos coming from now on, of family fun and honest miles on the old girl..

That's a cheap rebuld, Strogger................750 bucks

Good to see it's back on the road

First decent run was completed last weekend with the QLD club run.
Car ran like a top, followed the old school run in procedure my dad always harped on about.

Fitted a rebuilt carb the morning of the run, man what a difference. power and economy.!!!

She copped an oil change this afternoon and is ready for club run action.!

If it goes as good as it looks Strogger
you will be a very happy man

That is one beautiful car Strogger, with performance to match, enjoy mate .

Warm grey. Stock body. Perfect

Some more recent pics.

Engine bedded in quite nicely, has had first oil change since rebuild and everything has settled.









Electronic ingition conversion - cant tell from outside of dissy.


Rebuilt carby - best money I spent, Man the difference in power / economy, has brought whole engine package together.








Arm rest - comfort and looks




Scratch plates make a big difference and tie the package together.



Dont forget me.!!!!

Very nice .

Washed, waxed and polished - I feel there isn't much more of an Aussie ritual on Anzac day.. (Aside from the Dawn service.)

other than BBQ for lunch