My ever-after Ute

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Errol62
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Location: Adelaide

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Errol62 »

Upper shock rubbers work. Don't worry too much about the bar d rubber mounts. Most force is taken at the outer ends. The dumb irons are often shot with rust but d mounts are generally intact.

I ran a 25 mm bar for many miles and the d rubbers are only a few mm thick due to the increased bar diameter in the stock mounts. They will go on my van as is. One day!

I have some recollection of the eyes on the bar ends not lining up so well with the HR mounting points possibly made worse by lowering. Tried running a HR 25 mm bar but eventually had one custom made to my dimensions.


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Tasek
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:43 am
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Location: Launceston, Tasmania

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Tasek »

Just a note to keep this log going. Haven't stopped working on Tina just really slow now as it is bloody cold in Tassie this time of the year without a working fire in the shed. Have been done little bits like reconditioning the carby, all the hydraulics have new kits or have brand new cylinders

What I have done is find an old ute on Ebay, those that have been reading from the beginning will remember I am dirty on my daughter for giving away my first ute, well I think this is it for sale on Ebay - 20 years on I mean how many EK utes are there with sun roofs? Image

Now if only it had been for sale back hell nearly two years ago I would have been tempted . Tina was supposed to be drive-able by now.
In the Shed
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Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by In the Shed »

Hi Tasek
Sounds like a plan, a ute for you and one for the missus? You never know when you might need a spare one!

Regards
Stephen
A day in the shed beats a day at work!
Tasek
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:43 am
State: TAS
Location: Launceston, Tasmania

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Tasek »

Jeez
Nearly a year since the above post - I haven't given up on Tina but have other projects on the go right now. Mostly a 12 acre property that is falling apart.

However I have been boxing on but "Boys Toys" or the special wife oblivious account has been tapped dry by sending out Starter motor, Alternator, Wiper motor, distributor to an auto-electrician - Came back real pretty

9 months ago a not so helpful mate- should never listen to free advice because often you get what you pay for- told me his friend works for the testing people and all the rules for "Modified vehicles" had changed in Tassie from the 1st of July 2016 - I tried getting details from their website but as usual with govt websites it was labyrinth of false trails. Am still waiting for confirmation from my friend
According to this story if the vehicle is not stock standard, to register it there must be; a collapsible steering column, two speed wiper and a demister.

Yeah!!!!?? well since Tina has an HR front end shes not stock standard. I did some quick calculations and reckoned that all would cost mmmmmmmmm too much. (Well until I sell the Freggie in the shed at least)
Going back to stock isn't a good option even though I have a donor ute sitting in the driveway, costing me marital grief daily, but I have a lot invested in the HR suspension already as I have replaced all the bushings, Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, Control Arm Pins and Bushes - not to mention new disc brakes and had the calipers reconditioned. I would have to do that all over again. :sickk:

So that was demotivating - Didn't do much until I got talking to a guy at a swap meet (He has a sweet EK ute ) His advice was "slap Tina together and let the testing person tell you what needs to be done" - He hadn't heard of any changes to the rules.

Now that is advice I can use so I decided to finish what I could get on with :
Replaced the rear wheel bearings .
Replaced the handbrake cable
Brake lines rear
Bought some new rear slave cylinders and installed them, so the rear is sorted.

I did have in mind finishing Tina before the Nationals which are in my home town this year. That was until the re conditioner told me how much the motor had racked up to date.
Oh and the gearbox got lost - another story. -moral trust no one - the guy doing this up had stored it when he finished until I needed it. He went on holidays and while away the apprentice sold it. How many EJ gearboxes are there out there well one other and I am waiting for him to finish assembling.

So if you are still reading this rambling Tina is fighting on and so am I but she will never beat me
Cheers
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Errol62
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Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Errol62 »

Keep at it Tas. Hope those wheel cylinders were the HR disc compatible ones.
Cheers
Clay


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In the Shed
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Location: South Australia

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by In the Shed »

Hi Tasek,

Maybe have a word to the committee organising the Nats, see if they can get the participants to swing by your place and have a working bee to get the ute finished and clean up the spare cars in the yard. You get the ute on the road and Mrs Tasek gets the yard tidied up? :thumbsup:

Regards
Stephen
A day in the shed beats a day at work!
Blacky
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Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:58 am
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Location: up in the Perth hills

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Blacky »

In the Shed wrote: Wed May 10, 2017 10:53 pm Hi Tasek,

Maybe have a word to the committee organising the Nats, see if they can get the participants to swing by your place and have a working bee to get the ute finished and clean up the spare cars in the yard. You get the ute on the road and Mrs Tasek gets the yard tidied up? :thumbsup:

Regards
Stephen
I was thinking a meet up at Tasek's on the Friday afternoon for a shed crawl :ewink: :thumbsup:
When you're faced with an unpleasant task that you really don't want to do, sometimes you just have to dig deep down inside and somehow find the patience to wait for someone else to do it for you.


Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
Tasek
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:43 am
State: TAS
Location: Launceston, Tasmania

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Tasek »

Thanks for the offer guys
Tina is tucked up in the shed behind a wall of horse hay for the winter. Got a great price on a paddock of hay and accepted before releasing it was a "Take the lot or not at all" deal, and it was three paddocks not one. So after some trading with neighbors I ended up with about 70 bales of hay more than i have covered storage for other than Tina's Boudoir. On the bright side I have locked in the next couple of years bales from the farmer.
She is all tarped up with the delicate parts in a separate smaller shed. My project is just waiting for spring when I retire from full time work and we will spend quality time together, besides it is bloody cold in the shed right now. Starlings have built a nest in the wood heater chimney.(Yes it is on the list but hay, petrol, oil and fire don't really mix - well unless you want the insurance money :) )

Who's idea was it to come to Launceston in June? Pack your winter woolies.

If you are coming down for the Nationals would love to share an ale or two for as much information as I can glean. I will be trying to get to as many events as hanger-ons are allowed to attention.

Has there been an itinerary set yet.

I did hear that numbers are down and some other Holden clubs have been asked to join in. I might get my mate mentioned above to join in with his eh ute.
Thanks again
Blacky
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Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:58 am
State: WA
Location: up in the Perth hills

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Blacky »

Its cold NOW. -and the nats are a month away ??? :wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

I reckon we should have them in Hervey Bay EVERY year ......
When you're faced with an unpleasant task that you really don't want to do, sometimes you just have to dig deep down inside and somehow find the patience to wait for someone else to do it for you.


Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
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Rusty EK
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Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Rusty EK »

Blacky wrote: Sat May 13, 2017 2:07 am Its cold NOW. -and the nats are a month away ??? :wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

I reckon we should have them in Hervey Bay EVERY year ......
Pussies :lol: ,it's still warm now ,like summer nearly :P
Blacky
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Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:58 am
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Location: up in the Perth hills

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Blacky »

Rusty EK wrote: Sat May 13, 2017 7:50 am
Blacky wrote: Sat May 13, 2017 2:07 am Its cold NOW. -and the nats are a month away ??? :wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

I reckon we should have them in Hervey Bay EVERY year ......
Pussies :lol: ,it's still warm now ,like summer nearly :P
you coming Rusty ???? be great to put a face to a name - and have a squizz at that ute of yours ????
When you're faced with an unpleasant task that you really don't want to do, sometimes you just have to dig deep down inside and somehow find the patience to wait for someone else to do it for you.


Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
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Rusty EK
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Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Rusty EK »

you coming Rusty ???? be great to put a face to a name - and have a squizz at that ute of yours ????
[/quote]

Yeah all booked in Blacky, don't squizz too hard at the ute though , had no time to do anything to it , going to treat her to a new starter , real pig to start when it is hot and some new rear tyres before hand .
Blacky
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Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Blacky »

Rusty EK wrote: Sat May 13, 2017 11:06 am you coming Rusty ???? be great to put a face to a name - and have a squizz at that ute of yours ????
Yeah all booked in Blacky, don't squizz too hard at the ute though , had no time to do anything to it , going to treat her to a new starter , real pig to start when it is hot and some new rear tyres before hand .
[/quote]

:thumbsup:
When you're faced with an unpleasant task that you really don't want to do, sometimes you just have to dig deep down inside and somehow find the patience to wait for someone else to do it for you.


Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
Tasek
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:43 am
State: TAS
Location: Launceston, Tasmania

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Tasek »

Well it has been a while since I updated this tale of whoa. I thought I had posted late last year but maybe I didn’t
Needless to say Tina is digging her heels in and making life difficult but I am not helping with many self-inflicted wounds.
Biggest news being I have officially retired and now don’t have to sneak quality time with Tina. I am not counting the sitting and dreaming time. I am talking hands dirty time. Yeah well that’s the plan but I have a long, long , long list of urgent non-car tasks that I have been working through.
So where are we up to with the Tangoing with Tina? – Dancing with the She devil – Oh yes she was up on the stands getting her rear attended to.

In preparation for the retirement “dirty hands free time” I fronted the reconditioner to find out when he would finish my motor. “Oh we haven’t got to that yet” was the reply, “we are pretty busy”.
Maybe it was my fault for being so casual and telling him on my bi-monthly check-ins “that there really is no rush as the body isn’t ready yet” when really I wasn’t ready
Originally, I had asked to have it assembled as a short block – hell I am not up to all that mike and Vernier-ing these days, even if I had either or both - but after almost 3 years they still had not finished the reconditioning. Not happy Jan
I should have been suspicious when I asked him about an alloy or steel flywheel /cam exchange and he wanted $350 for parts – He thought that was cheap even though I told him I could buy a new set online for $230 same brand. I left in a none to happy mood telling him he needs to shift my job up his to-do list.
While I was in town – I live about 45 minutes out of Launie trips to the big smoke are not regular - I took the chance to collect the gearbox which has been found, overhauled and ready to rumble.
I got talking to the transmission shop owner. Nice bloke – yeah I know he did lose my gearbox but all ended well - Ok I was whinging about the motor taking so long and how I was looking for a cheap dial indicator etc and it turns out he has a mate that assembles motors in his backyard for most of the local race people. (Motor not horse or greyhound) Reasonable and very thorough according to this source.
So, with no other plan and not confident in my motor re-building skills, I Rang this guy and arranged for him to look at the motor
I returned to the recon guy and said, “just give me my motor bits and I will get it assembled elsewhere”.
“Give us two weeks” says the guy - “We will get all the bits together”
I went back two weeks later and $2.5K lighter and collected the block, head and various spare parts that may have been required.
I met with the motor assembler and took it as a good sign that one of the first things he did was take me into his shed and show me his restored ’55 chev two door. Yup he’s a car guy
His property is acreage on the outskirts of Launie. Up the long drive to a big workshop he has parked all his projects completed and future. Seems he gets paid in cars, excavators and trucks rather than the folding stuff. These were not untidy but quite the range of machinery
I delivered every motor part; nuts, bolts, washers, push rods and cam followers I could find in the shed. As I said earlier I bought an extra EJ motor so bits I have. Luckily the reconditioner had assembled the head after replacing the seats and hardened valves, new springs. Bonus
Not wanting to repeat the “there’s no hurry” mistake of the recent past we agreed on a 6-month deadline. He said “let me have a look at what you have here and get back to you” .
With the motor under way and a renewed enthusiasm I decided that I would finish the brakes and drag Tina outside for some quality sanding back time. Then painting would be in order.

Installed new rear slave cylinders- Brake lines installed front and back – Tina had a little say in this when I found on inspection that the rear T-junction was corroded on the sealing face of the fitting and not happy to bodgee anything to do with brakes. Grey power may not be the fastest but still must be able to stop.
Solution set me back some time as those little brass suckers are as rare as rockinghorse nuggets. Well down here anyway –
Assembled the drums remembering what a juggling act it is – oh for an extra hand or two- Those bloody little shoe retaining clip-thingy’s are such fiddly bastards. Especially with just long nosed pliers.
Next scavenger hunt through countless boxes of parts and benches for one of the rear brake shoe return springs. (Even with a donor car in the drive I could only find rear one spring) Tried the front ones but can’t get those to fit. (Too short) Tried to find a replacement online and at the local Rare Spares with no luck- am still looking.
Moved on to the rear shocks. That should be easy – ute came with new rear shocks, which came minus the rubber bushings top and bottom - well it would be if the previous owner hadn’t decided to replace the body attachment point or perhaps he was going with different rear suspension. Trouble being he has welded a plate over the holes for the shocks to mount through to the tub/tray of the ute.
Solution drill out holes – bought cutting drill – actually bought two as the first one was too big – no I hadn’t drilled out the hole but the rubber bushings have a locating diameter wider than the shaft which was my first guess without checking- who needs to read instructions or measure 

Well all that was before Christmas and then Christmas came with the eating and the drinking and socialising and the drinking and partying. Tina was not invited

Post-Christmas will be the next post – in the meantime I will try and work out how to post photos. I didn't mention that I have had two laptops give up the ghost in the last 6 months. To be fair one was nearly 7 years old. Problem is the old model was the one with the bootleg photoshop installed.
Anyway I will work it out.
Thanks for reading
Blacky
Posts: 12171
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:58 am
State: WA
Location: up in the Perth hills

Re: My ever-after Ute

Post by Blacky »

These things are sent to try us - :crazy: :crazy: but 3 years to not finish a motor reco is plainly just taking the piss ......
When you're faced with an unpleasant task that you really don't want to do, sometimes you just have to dig deep down inside and somehow find the patience to wait for someone else to do it for you.


Foundation member #61 of FB/EK Holden club of W.A.
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