253 into ek

If it doesn't fit below then post here and see if another FB EK fanatic can help you out.

Moderators: reidy, Blacky

Blacky
Posts: 12171
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:58 am
State: WA
Location: up in the Perth hills

Re: 253 into ek

Post by Blacky »

narrowed racks are pretty common, I dont think welding the housing is a problem.
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.
User avatar
oz_ek
Posts: 429
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2015 8:22 pm
State: VIC
Location: Victoria

Re: 253 into ek

Post by oz_ek »

alwalburn@y7mail.com wrote:G'day ,
So after a bit of research I have decided to shorten a vl manual steering rack.
The plan is to shorten the steering shaft and housing by 90mm ,keeping the commodore tie rod ends and mounting it on the rear in th same position as the hr steering setup.
This makes the swivel points line up with the bottom wishbone pivots,and will clear the sump.
A mate of mine will tig the housing and cut and re tap the shaft.
Can any of you experienced modifiers see a problem with this??
Thanks Al
Will post photos and measurements as it happens.
Do the Commodore tie rod ends fit the HR steering arms or do the arms need the taper reamed?
bat53retro
Posts: 102
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:05 pm
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: cannington wa

Re: 253 into ek

Post by bat53retro »

why shorten i've been running nonshorten comm vp p/s rack on all the conversions for the past 16 yrs
in driveing stance i have approx 5mm bump steer
Cocko750
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:31 am
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: Walgett

Re: 253 into ek

Post by Cocko750 »

Hey bat is it only vp or does vn or earlier also fit
User avatar
FireKraka
Posts: 2162
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 11:12 am
State: WA
Location: Serpentine, WA

Re: 253 into ek

Post by FireKraka »

Hi Bat
Do you use the unmodified commodore rack in front or behind the x member?

Regards
Neil H
Member of WA FB/EK Car Club
Frankenstein EK V6 Ute
FB Station Wagon Project
1950's Commer Light Truck (2.5 Ton)
Blacky
Posts: 12171
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:58 am
State: WA
Location: up in the Perth hills

Re: 253 into ek

Post by Blacky »

would have to be behind - otherwise it would turn right when you turn left , a bloke in Kalgoorlie did that years ago in his Customline :lol: :lol: :lol:
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.
bat53retro
Posts: 102
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:05 pm
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: cannington wa

Re: 253 into ek

Post by bat53retro »

vn vp are the same except vp has a double d connection vn has a spline
Cocko750
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:31 am
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: Walgett

Re: 253 into ek

Post by Cocko750 »

Sounds good bat have access to a few vn's but no vps so just make some brackets and the rest will fall into place or is there a few custom bits needed?
bat53retro
Posts: 102
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:05 pm
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: cannington wa

Re: 253 into ek

Post by bat53retro »

to stop bumpsteer the rack has to be mounted in the right position
with the bottom wishbones sitting level the rack has to be straight
both ways thats why i use the hq wb short arms
Cocko750
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:31 am
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: Walgett

Re: 253 into ek

Post by Cocko750 »

Thanks mate have all of those bits and a front end on the bench so will try and fab some brackets or should I buy some from v6conversions or elsewhere? Commodore tie rods or others
bat53retro
Posts: 102
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:05 pm
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: cannington wa

Re: 253 into ek

Post by bat53retro »

make my own brackets
commodore tye rod ends wont fit
unless you have access to a reamer
but TC /TD cortina do fit :thumbsup:
Cocko750
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:31 am
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: Walgett

Re: 253 into ek

Post by Cocko750 »

Thanks bat just had a quick look but have you got photos of your fronts you have done ? Will have a look this weekend to see what sort of brackets are needed thanks for the help mate
User avatar
oz_ek
Posts: 429
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2015 8:22 pm
State: VIC
Location: Victoria

Re: 253 into ek

Post by oz_ek »

bat53retro wrote:make my own brackets
commodore tye rod ends wont fit
unless you have access to a reamer
but TC /TD cortina do fit :thumbsup:
That's some very handy info!.....Thanks! :thumbsup:
Cocko750
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 9:31 am
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: Walgett

Re: 253 into ek

Post by Cocko750 »

Yep heaps of good info on here , plan on trying it out this weekend,old mate I work with could ream it to the right size for the commodore ones but will see how much the cortina bits are worth,I'd rather keep it all one model would be easy and will look at a commodore front to work out the brackets
bat53retro
Posts: 102
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:05 pm
State: NOT ENTERED
Location: cannington wa

Re: 253 into ek

Post by bat53retro »

sorry the only photos i have is my setup
it is a highly modified hr front end
dont have photos of what your after
i'll try to find the templet for the bracket and post it
Post Reply