EK Wagon project - Total rebuild

[Finny]

Don't expect to get much done this weekend, but I'm watching the clock.
Only 89 days to go.

Have given up on the Volvo wheels.
Now I just have to decide on the Jelly Beans or the Dragways.
The Jelly Beans need tyres, but using my special chrome shiners the Dragways came up a treat.









Might need to look at why the rear end is sitting up so high.

[Blacky]

The rear shackles aren't around the wrong way are they Finny ?
Post a pic of your springs mate.....

[EK283]

Blacky could be right, but you have no glass or trim or bumpers etc, all this will push the back down eventually.


Looks good keep up the good work.

Regards Greg

[Finny]

After I changed the front end to disc brakes, I had to install a HR rear end.
The rear springs were off a sedan, which had less leafs, so I "think" I kept the original wagon ones.
I did have to source new bolts because the gap was a lot wider.
I'm just trying to remember exactly what was changed.
But they say a picture tells a thousand words.

[Blacky]

That's all as it should be but the springs look to be ute/van ones , hopefully the glass etc will bring it down to where it should be, otherwise it's time to get the springs reset - one more thing , does it have the correct length shocks in it ?????

[wot179]

You need a packer or sandwich plate in between the top and bottom spring pads to stop them bending when you do them up tight.

[1962ek]

The back shackles have flipped up,jack it up under the body and let the axle hang, then get a tyre lever and flick the shackle down where it should be, below the hanger not above it.
Be careful, it'll come down fast. Graham

[ben]

Pretty sure shackles should be up Graham, as per Finnys pics. Mine are anyway so i hope im right . Agree with Blacky re: ute/van springs. Im running the same HR rear end but with the original wagon springs which are only 6 leaves.

[Mick Jagger]

take them out and to a blacksmith and get them to make them straight,then youll need some
3" lowering blocks
wagons looking great

[Blacky]

Pull em to bits and use the Trev spring flip lowering method

[1962ek]

Yeah Ben, you are right, should be up. When we put the new rear end in my sedan it looked like a bloody drag car with it's arse in the air. mine had flipped down which made it sit up.
Sorry for the confusion Brain not in gear, getting old and confused.

[Finny]

Thanks for the feedback.
I think the previous photo may have been a bit vague.





The springs were what the car came with, I didn't remove them.
The EK workshop manual refers to 4 springs for sedans, 6 for wagons and 6 (heavy duty) for utes and vans.
The HR workshop manual says 4 for sedan, 5 for wagon and 6 for utes and vans.

The HR manual also includes mention of packer plates as a standard for use with wagon springs.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to make something up.

Mike I'd like it a bit lower maybe 2" , not scraping on the road.
Thanks Blacky now I'll have to look up the "Trev spring flip lowering method"

The front end is already lowered and has shortened springs, which makes the rear look worse.
Maybe I could just use the HR sedan springs or see how it changes the profile, I still have them also.

[Trev]

http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtop ... 24&t=11893

[EK283]

Hi Finny,

Just looking at your springs, I can tell you that the shackles are in the correct position. Also it looks like your second leaf in the pack under the top eyelet leaf is an add in. It's different end shape gives it away. I would take this leaf out and give that a go first. The flip method does get the car down but at the same time makes it very hard as the spring looses travel both in bump and rebound. Other tricks I have used is to get the top spring remade with the eyelets facing down and you will get 1 inch right away . All this is part of the fun so its basically trial and error until you're happy with it.

Regards Greg

[Mick]

HR springs are longer won't fit