Project 2.

[Brett027]

He he. Kate bought something and before the dust had settled I did too. Paint plate says Tuscan Yellow so brownie points there too.
Can't wait to take the photo with 3 utes lined up.

[Harv]

He he. Kate bought something and before the dust had settled I did too. Paint plate says Tuscan Yellow so brownie points there too.
Can't wait to take the photo with 3 utes lined up.

It all starts out fun, then next thing you know you have a wagon, ute and sedan

I need someone to help me convince The Last Daughter that she needs an EK panelvan

Cheers,
Harv

[Brett027]

Well, it had to happen I s'pose. Thinking of taking new ute (Project 3) back to standard grey mechanicals for a quick restore and doing it next after Wilma is sorted; and changing Project 2 to fit Aus M20 4 speed on the 186 that came with new ute. Not keen on powerglide that came with it. Many, many questions about this but as I have to rebuild so much on Project 2 it seems like it's the better choice to make the mods on. The new ute has been hacked about but it should be easy to cut off firewall section that needs fixing from rusty yellow ute and tidy up floor hump.
Questions:
- Will the current powerglide tailshaft work on this gearbox?
- What speedo cable and driver will work for EK speedo?
- bell housing is a cable set up. What cable and pedal set up is needed. I'm thinking cable 'cause if gives me more firewall space for brake booster?
- In NSW, does a 186, 4speed insert mean I have to change to disc/ and or ball joint front?
- will auto EK floorpans work with a 186 and M20 4 speed?


Anything else I need to be thinking about?
Many thanks.

[FireKraka]

Jesus mate looks like they really hacked at the firewall
Neil

[ardiesse]

Brett,

I've heard that Australian 4-speeds and Powerglides are the same length, and even share the same driveshaft yoke (which is why EH Hydro and HD/HR slide'n'glide gearbox crossmembers and driveshafts are so hard to find).

The 4-speed speedo cable will suit the EK speedo. The only issue is getting the right length.

Ditch the cable clutch setup and use a hydraulic system. Dellows and Hadfields would be the place to go for the slave cylinder adaptor ("May require modifications to clutch cover for correct fit")

You'll probably need dual-circuit brakes with front discs, two-speed wipers, washers, a heater/demister, seat belts and a collapsible steering column with a 186. None of this will be any hassle at all (ha).

And finally, yes. A Hydro front floor will have enough room for the gearbox. You just need to go to the Augean sorry, rocking-horse stables with shovel and bucket.

Unless the ute has already been registered in NSW with its current drivetrain. The modifications may be "grandfathered in", but I fear that once the registration lapses, it's back to Square One.

Rob

[Brett027]

Not to worry Neil, easyish fix. Does make you wander about what people are thinking when the do this stuff though.
Thanks Rob, much appreciated. Why does everyone advise against cable clutch? Thought it would be easy option.

[ardiesse]

Cable clutches? Horrible things. You've already got the master cylinder and plumbing, and the hydraulic conversions use an EK slave cylinder anyway.

[Errol62]

I recommend trimatic behind your red. Sell off the powerglide. They are sought for drag racing. Aussie m20 will require playing with the shifter or seat. You want to keep the bench so you can carry three, if at a pinch? You can run trimatic off the column or use an auto column from ek to hr. Trimatic cheaper to buy and overhaul too I think you will find. You can run quite a tall diff and still have good drivability around town.

Aussie 3and 4speed and trimatic are all the same length and I believe rob is correct that powerglide is also. I have run Hydramatic tail shaft behind Aussie M20 and trimatic in my old sedan for decades, although it was just short enough. I did have the red motor set back a bit more than some and now I am going to use an LC Torana shaft, which is slightly shorter again.

I speculate that the hydramatic is close to being the same length as the Aussie all synchro boxes (3 and 4 speed), powerglide and trimatic 6cylinder boxes.

Speedo cable for the 3, 4 and trimatic requires a HKTG factory cable. HQ have a different thread at the speedo end. Not sure on Torana.

Depending on your state of course you may require engineering certification for the 186, which is the point at which many go for more power. The beauty of the red of course is that it is practically a bolt up conversion, though same can’t be said for the gearboxes.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Errol62]

If you go manual use the original fb ek slave cylinder with a dellow or Hadfield adapter which only requires drilling a hole in the rat trap style clutch fork. Cable clutch if you run MC6 from UC or similar just a matter of modifying the pedal and using donor cable. Hydraulic is tidy and effective.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[FireKraka]

Mate Franks tunnel was pretty similar looked like they had taken a BFH to it and when I went to cut it out I found a big thick doubler plate they had welded in, could get the aftermarket tunnel to fit up to the firewall nicely so had to massage it in.
Like you said makes you Weber what sort of death traps were getting around with really bad "upgrades"
There were photos of mine in my build but not sure if they are still there.
Neil.

[Brett027]

Thanks Clay, I'm keen to use my 4 speed, as it will remind me of my GTR torrie days- maybe without quite a triple SU'd, ported, mid cammed 202 force though. Are the bell housings the same for hydraulic and cable?

Unfortunately a heap of your pics are gone Neil, but while having a look, found WOT's ute build and some useful photos in there. This forum is such a wealth of informative stuff. Fortunately this is Project 3 "Project Last" and is a good few years away- plenty of time to cogitate over options and gather bits.

[Wrongway Roger]

Hi Brett,
My crusty wagon run M20 with hydraulic clutch and 186 and it has a auto floor pan.
I moved my seat back to give myself a little more leg room, which in turn allows for a bench seat.
The gear lever is not the prettiest but functional.

Great to see another ute will be back on the roads.

Cheers,
Roegr

[Errol62]

Bellhousings are different. You may be able to adopt cable to hydraulic but if you have cable would be easy enough to get working. You can't move the seat back in a ute though like roger did in his wagon. Scallop out the seat, fit buckets in keeping with the Tirana fetish or modify the linkage to bring the shifter forward. There is a thread on it on here somewhere.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[EK283]

I ran a 186 with a 4 speed in my you beaut ! I cut the bench seat out in the middle for the shifter.

The tunnel needs enlarging as well and I used dellow hydraulic slave bracket at the time.

186 with skinnies used to do great burnouts !!!!

ProjectEK.jpg (76.5 KiB) Viewed 444 times

Greg

[Brett027]

Thanks everyone. I like the idea of modifying the linkage and leaving the bench seat if that's a possibility. So, in essence I will have to enlarge tunnel and do big burnouts with skinny tyres. I think I've got it!. Thanks everyone.