The HOF

[thebrotherj]

Like Studebakers do we?

http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtop ... my+new+toy

I know it's your car and you can do what you like with it and I have no problem with that
But it such a rare colour scheme seems a shame to modifiy it.

That's a really nice Stude Wayne! Factory RHD - so it's an original Australian car? If not, where'd you import it from?
I confess, I'm not an obsessive fan, my interest is pretty superficial in fact. As I live & drive in the city and my garage ain't huge, I've been wanting a small/mid-size vintage machine... with a V8. The Lark fits the bill. I also happen to think that the single headlight Tudor models (2 or 4 door, the ones with the upright C pillar, only available 1959-60 from what I can gather) are really great looking cars. All the others look a bit clunky! This one's a 6 cylinder, but you get the idea:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ebaymotors/1961- ... v4exp=true

A couple of old timers I've spoken to lament how dreadful the steering & brakes in these things were. There's a few horror stories about the later models from the 1963-64 Bathurst 500 races that support this too... but hey, I'm only ever going to be cruising so who cares right? Maybe one day, I'll get my hands on one.

And thanks for understanding but yes, I will be making modifications to the EK I'm afraid. Other than discovering that it doesn't have it's original VIN, there have been a few dodgy rust patches and repairs here and there that detract from it being a true 'survivor' deserving of a nut and bolt restoration. I agonised over this, especially as previous owner Andy had sworn me to an understanding that I don't do anything to detract from it's original feel and appearance. But that will be easy for me - all I've ever built are sleepers. Rest assured, the paint scheme, trim, chrome, steering wheel, all it's original appearance will be retained. Hopefully I will only need to fit a set of HQ era 14" steel wheels to do what I wanna do. Oh and it's going to be dead quiet, inside and out.

I promise to drop the full plan this weekend, after I get my visit from The Engineer on Friday arvo. As soon as I know what I can and can't do, I'll start peppering you guys with questions!

[thebrotherj]

Glad you came out of the shadows Joe.

Great story and pics and will watch with interest. As said what are your plans?

Stewart

The Engineer just left and the news is all good. He's satisfied with both the car (as a basis for modification) and all of my plans.

THE PLAN
I'm building a comfortable, quiet cruiser with good manners on the road. Uprated brakes, better steering geometry and more power. Some carefully installed creature comforts that won't appear out of place. Retain original appearance at all costs. This is gonna take me years... but the idea is to build this one right, so I keep it, not sell it

FEATURES/MODS
- Stock 327ci Chev w/Quadrajet OK'd. I'll paint it grey... with 1961 era Chev aircleaner, maybe even adapted Grey motor rocker covers! Factory decals. No chrome anywhere thanks... will run log style headers (I think, we'll see when we get there) that exit through the K-frame to a simple, single exhaust system using one muffler back where the original EK system was. Motor is coming from my bro's LHD 1965 Impala. The 327 is making way for a Vortec-headed 350ci crate motor. He documents bloody everything, so if you wanna read his ramblings and see photos of me doing all the work, you can look at his blog here: http://1965chevroletimpala.blogspot.com.au/
- either TH350 or VN era TH700 (pre electronic trans) OK'd I'm undecided on which one, keen to hear feedback on that.
- shortened VN-VS Commodore V8 diff on standard leaf springs OK'd. LSD would be nice. I'd love a 2.6:1 with the TH350 or 3.08:1 with the TH700.
- 4 wheel disc brakes setup, all from the same car OK'd. Won't require the full scale brake testing if I avoid mix 'n' matching components, so he is adamant that calipers/master/booster are all from the same spec & year model car. Happy for me to modify the pedal box assembly if I need to as long as pedal deflection is within limits under specified load. For original appearance, I'd prefer early GM style steel capped master cyl.
- larger wheels OK. Ideally, I want 14" x 6" steelies so we discussed the idea of HQ pattern over A9X Torana spec brake system. Need to investigate.
- collapsible steering column needed. Would love to adapt a column shift for the auto somehow... I'll get thinking. Any suggestions?
- rear mount rack & pinion setup OK'd. I want good turning circle and decent bump steer characteristics. Probably manual steer as I will be running a sensible tyre size (195's I hope)
- bolt in IFS assembly OK'd. The Engineer raved about the testing performed on the Pat Gardner V6 Conversions front end which he says makes these installations a simple "tick" from him to clear. In my limited experience, these look to have the best geometry for better steering/suspension. No idea what this means re: sump and engine mount towers but I'd like to make it work. Anyone used one with a Chev V8?
- chassis strengthening not really needed! While he has no problem with the CRS style kit, he thinks it mostly just adds weight! I showed him the dummy setup I welded together out of scrap last weekend and he was more than happy with my welding and the plans I am drawing up. Was happy for me to run exhaust through the K arms and not install the CRS style brace that runs right through that space. Happy for me to weld on Y plates but says they're not necessary...
- CRS transmission hump is ok but wants me to add bracing inside that meets up with the ties so it is braced from sill to sill.
- non-inertia reel seat belts as fitted to late 60's/70's Holdens will be OK. I am very pleased - I hate inertia reels, period.
- relocate battery in boot OK'd. Full aftermarket wiring harness with additional circuits for AC compressor, cabin fan, thermo fans, power windows all OK
- modify fuel tank to accept in-tank electric pump is OK. Mechanical pump will foul chassis rail. We discussed some more recently available self-pressure regulating pumps available for low pressure (carb) installations...
- demister required: I will attempt to fit the smallest available heating/cooling Vintage Air AC unit up under the dash as out of sight as possible. Try to make controls/outlets look like a period era installation, may raid early 50s/60s US cars for parts. Avoid cutting the dashboard metal at all costs.
- 2 speed wipers or a single speed unit that is fast enough (!) and H4 headlights required. External mirror(s) needed. Don't need side indicators (thank god)
- The Engineer is happy with my plan to adapt the umbrella e-brake to operate relocated original swing-arm and shortened cables.
- aftermarket or adapted late model power windows OK'd. Will be operated by rocking the original window winders up and down to engage microswitches
- original safety glass all round is OK'd, will pass current screen but would be happier with new laminated one as it has a few marks etc.
- I will add sound proofing and carpet, do my best to retrim seats in existing colours using reproduction or period materials. I will resurrect the doortims.

There you have it, at least, that's all that I can think of just now.
I'm off to play 1am show tonight then I'll get started on The HOF over the weekend once the hangover lifts

Wish me luck

[Blacky]

Sounds like a good plan to me , nothing there that hasn't been done before - a bit surprised about the non use of a chassis kit though ?
I am pretty sure Alien Retro columns is now doing a column shift collapsible column for these jiggers ....

[Devilrod]

Sounds like a good plan to me , nothing there that hasn't been done before - a bit surprised about the non use of a chassis kit though ?
I am pretty sure Alien Retro columns is now doing a column shift collapsible column for these jiggers ....

Yep they are, Bumpars got one for his wagon. I'd go the overdrive auto and 3:36 or 3:55 rear gears. Bit more get up and go around town an still good for the freeway.

Otherwise sounds to me like you're set!

[thebrotherj]

Sounds like a good plan to me , nothing there that hasn't been done before - a bit surprised about the non use of a chassis kit though ?
I am pretty sure Alien Retro columns is now doing a column shift collapsible column for these jiggers ....

That's great news. I have Alien tagged in a document I saved called "EK Suppliers" along with a million other businesses around the country thanks to the forum. I'll be hassling them no doubt. My engineer made mention of a rack & pinion modified EK he drove that he said had the steering wheel in his lap... I can't quite understand how that might happen. Suffice to say I want to keep the column angle the same as the factory one so the wheel is in the same spot.

Yeah I was surprised! The Engineer was mostly concerned about bracing any replacement tunnel.
I will be fitting my own chassis brace setup, a different take on the traditional CRS style one. I always thought it would make sense to brace these against the rear floor and have another vertical beam up to the floor half way along. I'll explain with photos when I get to that point.

Cheers, Joe

[thebrotherj]

Sounds like a good plan to me , nothing there that hasn't been done before - a bit surprised about the non use of a chassis kit though ?
I am pretty sure Alien Retro columns is now doing a column shift collapsible column for these jiggers ....

Yep they are, Bumpars got one for his wagon. I'd go the overdrive auto and 3:36 or 3:55 rear gears. Bit more get up and go around town an still good for the freeway.

Otherwise sounds to me like you're set!

Yeah I'm stoked to have the green light

I hear ya, I'll do some calculations. I guess it's cos I grew up in the HK 307 w/Powerglide and 2.78:1 banjo that Dad still owns. And the LJ Torana 'S' w/Trimatic and 2.78:1 that was my daily for years. And my old foreman used to pick me up in his VB SLE Commodore with 308, TH350 and that amazing 2.6:1 diff. I think I'm just a sucker for cars with long legs that hit the aerodynamic brick wall before they hit valve bounce in top gear

[thebrotherj]

Finally got started on things late this evening.
Went and fetched the MIG from my brother's place which was easy enough to load with his help, but less so at the other end thanks to my wretched back. Had to get creative...





In the lateral thinking mood, I MacGiver'ed a little device to help me weld up a bunch of holes in the firewall that I wouldn't be using. I cut off the rubber seal on a brass tap washer, then drilled a hole in a long metal strip. From inside the cabin, I taped this in place with the brass washer covering the hole to be welded, making sure the tape was a long way from the heat. Worked a treat.







Had a bit of trouble getting a sheet of cold-rolled steel small enought to fit in the back of the wagon last week... so I dropped in to the folks' house on the way home from my bro's and found a stack of splash trays that must've never gone back on either HR Holden that both he and I have previously owned! I set about carefully cutting out a rust section in the firewall that is double thickness using my grinder with the cutting wheel, then used my new snips to cut a section out of a splash tray. The metal behind is ok, but for a few pinholes, so I bludgeoned them with the MIG... then ground it smooth. I should point out that tonight is the first time I've ever used MIG on anything other than scrap RHS tubing or practice metal at TAFE. Pretty pleased with things so far considering







This was as far as I got tonight before curfew. Can't wait to weld this in place and attack some more complex repair sections that are waiting for me.

But first: MONDAAAY

[MyEKisdriven]

My wife recently told me that being married for the last 35yrs has been good for me because I'm not an alcoholic (, thanks to her constant nagging).

She still tells me when it's time to pack up and head for bed..
among other things..

[WayneXG95]

Yours too, thank god for that, I thought I was alone..

[EK JAY]

My wife recently told me that being married for the last 35yrs has been good for me because I'm not an alcoholic (, thanks to her constant nagging).

She still tells me when it's time to pack up and head for bed..
among other things..

35 yrs and she's still trying to get you in bed

[thebrotherj]

My wife recently told me that being married for the last 35yrs has been good for me because I'm not an alcoholic (, thanks to her constant nagging).

She still tells me when it's time to pack up and head for bed..
among other things..

nah, my curfew is 9:50pm... so I have time to walk up to the bottlo before the stupid NSW 10pm takeaway lockout kicks in!

guess that gives me away as single and alcoholic? haha

[billbrack]

Hi Joe, how's the car coming? I've sent you a PM with an enquiry about your project. Cheers Patrick.

[WayneXG95]

Hi Joe, how's the car coming? I've sent you a PM with an enquiry about your project. Cheers Patrick.

I forgot about this whats happening?

[thebrotherj]

Hi Joe, how's the car coming? I've sent you a PM with an enquiry about your project. Cheers Patrick.

I forgot about this whats happening?

Hello all, been a while...

The EK is up on a rotisserie in my garage with little more than screens & hoodlinging still in.

Since I last visited the forum, I wrecked a VS Commodore for it's diff/brakes/steering rack & column and a bunch of other stuff, then I whipped the 327 out of my bro's Impala ready for a build. I welded a CRS trans tunnel into the EK and got stuck into a bunch of rust repairs. Work stopped when I headed off on tour with one of my bands in early 2015 and that took off somewhat.

On top of that, Dad called in a favour - I did a heap of work on his HK. Then I bought a KB Centura as a daily driver, semi-restored it then flipped it just last week. Oh and I'm currently finishing off the installation of a 6.0L LS motor into the Impala. I only get near that one day a week so we're stinging to drive that again in the coming month or so...

ANYWAY.

The EK is stalled and I am considering moving it on. This will kill me somewhat, as it will be the first time I've bought a car and not driven it away. But with a move to Europe on the cards in late 2017, it suddenly seems like finishing the EK isn't realistic.

I'm going to start throwing it back together and will sell it as a roller, with all the amassed parts thrown in. But that may be a few months off just yet.

[WayneXG95]