Thought I should do the right thing and introduce myself before I ask too many annoying questions. I bought my ek ute about 3 years ago to give myself some 'shed' time. As things turned out I went back to uni full time and we had a bub, so i'm getting hardly any shed time with not much spare $ . The lack of funds has been a good thing as I've been forced to do everything myself, except for installing the windscreen.
So far i've stripped the shell back to bare metal by hand and painted POR15 under the car , the subframe and engine bay. Fixed the rust (thankfully not too much), and attempted body/paint. The paint is reasonable, and for a first effort i'm pretty happy with the result. However there is some orange peel and poor body work so i'm not going to win any prizes . The engine is quite sound and only needed a new water pump and radiator. I just need to sort out the bright work, brakes and to lower it a few inches. cheers
Welcome aboard Cpllagrn,
I can appreciate the uni position - two of mine spent years in metamorphous.
Congratulations on your work - getting out and about in it cannot be too far off....?
Do not have any concerns about your finish.... as you will see, many of ours look great up on the forum.... most, like mine - often feign a resplendent finish.... only to disappoint when "eyeballed'......
Looking forward to your further enjoyment..
frats,
Rosco
ps - Woodzy - take note of the fuel pump line.. I expect there is an "earth" lead from the battery to the body....
One more year to go of study Rosco and hopefully it will be worth the effort. I went back as a mature age student so having a supportive wife makes all the difference. My plan is to have the car ready by the end of the year, I still need to o/haul the brakes and chase up some bits and pieces.
Thanks
Welcome to the forum cplagarn. Very tidy ute you have there, I am doing a ute at the moment and can't wait to get it finished. You have come to the right place if you have questions, there is a wealth of knowledge amounst the forum members.
cplagarn wrote:One more year to go of study Rosco and hopefully it will be worth the effort. I went back as a mature age student so having a supportive wife makes all the difference. My plan is to have the car ready by the end of the year, I still need to o/haul the brakes and chase up some bits and pieces.
Thanks
I have more degrees than a thermometer, so I remember all too well the experience of being at uni and struggling to keep an EK on the road... it's a credit to you that you have such a nice, straight ute... a hopped up grey with a few pieces of period speed equipment would be the icing on the cake, I reckon
Just to answer Rosco's question regarding the fuel line earth, just popped into the shed to take a pic. There is only an earth to the engine block, then block to chassis
Hi again,
Thanks for the pic - I note you are running the original generator/regulator.
I'm probably getting a little beyond my use by date - but for the life of me can't remember an earth lead from the block to the chassis..... please feel free to have a laugh...... I'm getting on a bit and I must admit the effects of an exhuberent youth are probably now taking effect.......
As for fitting of the mentioned additional earth lead - I can only suggest to you what I have gleaned from the auto-electrical trade.
Originally, the fuel line in the engine bay was connected to the fuel pump by a copper braided hose - the braiding of this hose was used to provide additional "earth" from the battery to the body.
I am of the understanding that vehicles employing the original generator/voltage regulator are provided with an earth lead running from the generator to body earth at one of the mounting locations on the voltage regulator. Thus, battery earth to body is also effected via the engine block, generator, voltage regulator body and to the firewall for the circuit to be complete.
Earth can also be effected to the body through throttle and gear linkages, axle bearings and probably through the "returns" of some of the electrical equipment on the vehicle - none of which were considered to complete the circuit.
It was suggested to me when replacing the braided earth - to fit a battery/body earth lead.... nothing of any great amperage, but something sufficient to provide a body earth to the most demanding non-engine component.
I simply made up a short lead of 8 B&S (or standard wire gauge equiv) and fitted it under the negative battery terminal clamp and the lower bolt of the radiator baffle cross-member or some other nearby body nut/bolt.
This is where later models have this lead fitted.
As far as I'm aware, this is found on vehicles with alternators.
It is my belief that the primary need for this earth lead arises due to an alternator with a built in regulator not having a direct lead to body earth.
I cannot comment on those fitted with an external regulator.
For the cost of fitting a short additional lead - I do not see any issue with providing a little "insurance" by fitting it to all vehicles not having the braided fuel line..... as back-up to either the voltage regulator earth in original equipment vehicles - but more specifically to those fitted with an alternator.
Others may enlighten both of us of the complexities of this arrangement and indeed, perhaps the need/lack of providing this purpose related addition.
No worries, dont mind me, I'm just enjoying my new found trick of posting pics Another earth direct to the chassis does make sense though, i'll add it to my list of things to do.
Just before you add that battery/body earth - I'm hoping someone beyond my limited understanding of the implications may be able to substantiate the fitting or more importantly any negative (excuse pun) reason against it......
We love pix...... don't be shy
and
thanks..
frats,
Rosco
ps - what paint did you use on your dash....... mine has to be done... but whilst the front window is out..... no hurry - no rocks - please.....
Rosco, Just used VHT rattle can quick coat enamel (flat black) over an acrylic primer. Seems to match the old paint, time will tell if it was the right thing to do
. The lack of funds has been a good thing as I've been forced to do everything myself, except for installing the windscreen.
. The engine is quite sound and only needed a new water pump and radiator. I just need to sort out the bright work, brakes and to lower it a few inches. cheers
, Trev 
.
