Leroy the EK Ute

[EK283]

I’m not a huge fan of lowering blocks, I haven’t used a set in over 20 years, but this seems to sit ok, pinion angle is better than I remember, last time I used wedges if I recall. Guess I’ll lop some thread off the bottom of those U-bolts once I’m satisfied it’s all kosher. I also prefer two locknuts to Nyloc nuts but I’m sure it’ll be fine, right?...

As long as the bolts are higher than your rim it will be ok, the idea is if you get a flat the ubolts wont dig into the ground and send you into a spin.
You won't get rego otherwise.
Keep the good work up !!

Regards Greg

[Devilrod]

The single nylocs will be fine. I've only ever run a single nyloc and never had any issues. Loving the progress shots. Keep 'me coming.

[thebrotherj]

Fuel tank will go in next - do folks use caulking compound to seal the fuel tank flange to the floor?

Looking good Joe.

Yep, black mastic to seal the tank in. Fishoil, then grey mastic to seal the tub board onto the tub. Keeps the under-tub area relatively dry, or at least dry enough that the floor drains can keep up.

Cheers,
Harv

Thanks Harv

[FireKraka]

Looking good J looks like you are almost there bet you can't wait to then get on to your Studebaker

Neil

[thebrotherj]

I’m not a huge fan of lowering blocks, I haven’t used a set in over 20 years, but this seems to sit ok, pinion angle is better than I remember, last time I used wedges if I recall. Guess I’ll lop some thread off the bottom of those U-bolts once I’m satisfied it’s all kosher. I also prefer two locknuts to Nyloc nuts but I’m sure it’ll be fine, right?...

As long as the bolts are higher than your rim it will be ok, the idea is if you get a flat the ubolts wont dig into the ground and send you into a spin.
You won't get rego otherwise.
Keep the good work up !!

Regards Greg

That would be hairy ride! At a glance, If I lop the threads off flush to the nut with the current 2" lowering block & 13" stockie rims fitted, I'll just be ok. I have my heart set on running original rims at the moment, so if I wanna go any lower, I'll be looking at leaf re-set or the aforementioned bag of cement

[thebrotherj]

The single nylocs will be fine. I've only ever run a single nyloc and never had any issues. Loving the progress shots. Keep 'me coming.

Thanks Brett, this is good to know (freudian typo included) haha

[thebrotherj]

Looking good J looks like you are almost there bet you can't wait to then get on to your Studebaker

Neil

Thanks Neil. Sure is good to be on the ground, definitely getting impatient to go cruising.

True about The Stude, but I am actually going to set that aside and come at it fresh after a break.
I wanna live with the Ute for a bit and stay focused on ironing out any bugs with it before deciding on its future. Second album is about to drop for one of my bands too... so I'll throw myself at shows/touring. Not sure how many more times round that merry-go-round I will get to enjoy!

[FireKraka]

What's the bands name and the album J

Neil

[thebrotherj]

What's the bands name and the album J

Neil

google 'Australia the band' if you must... Second LP ain't out for a few months yet.

[thebrotherj]

First coat of tray-liner paint went on tonight, after finishing a few tub details and drain pipe repairs.





The decision to paint straight from the bottle wasn’t the best idea, the colour is pretty woeful... I think I’ll walk across the street and get old mate at the panel shop to tint it for me for the remaining coats... something less purple!

But it still looks like a hundred bucks I reckon. Can’t wait to get the tank and wooden floor in.


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[thebrotherj]

Good bit of progress tonight.

Fuel tank went in fine, line connected up at both tank and pump, doesn’t leak anywhere and the fuel gauge even works. Yip yip.







Some may remember that the original driveline had a clutch throw-out fork issue that meant the push rod from the slave was cocked. I suspected this is what caused the brand new slave to piss out fluid after only a few drives up and down the back lane and yep, I was right:



Swapped that out tonight and employed the new housemate on bleeding duties. Lopped the bottom of the rear spring U-bolts off, pumped up the remaining air-holding tyres I have and went for a drive.

Observations:
- the H4 headlights are spectacular! Need an alignment but it’s the best visibility from any early Holden I’ve owned.
- steering and susp all feels good, need alignment of course. Rear ride height is a bit high, but I have tiny diameter tyres up front currently. But I still see a future rear spring reset in my crystal ball.
- brakes need a good drive to bed in, feels a little shuddery at this point... also locked a wheel or two on first applications but that settled down. Pedal is firm & no fluid leaks after the drive.
-need to look at gear selector adjustment: it goes into reverse fine but jams once or twice when trying to get it out. The forward gears feel reasonable. Will get the book out and do the full setup.
- the motor coughs and almost stalls if you don’t give it a good rev on launch or down low in any gear. No vacuum advance at the moment (diaphragm is holed - I plugged the carby port), so next up I’ll install the HEI dizzy setup I’ve received and see how it behaves then.
- and finally, when I let the clutch out in Neutral at idle back in the garage, I intermittently hear what sounds like the clutch just kissing the bellhousing.... dang! I’m not sure this gearbox is so good anyway (more on that later...) so I’m already prepared for its potential removal in the not too distant future.



Off to a tiny town called Buxton in VIC to haul my Studebaker home on a trailer this weekend. Hoping the gods of light winds and sensible fellow road users are smiling on us for that mission.

Cheers, Joe



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[Harv]

- the motor coughs and almost stalls if you don’t give it a good rev on launch or down low in any gear. No vacuum advance at the moment (diaphragm is holed - I plugged the carby port), so next up I’ll install the HEI dizzy setup I’ve received and see how it behaves then.

Is the acceelerator pump in the carb working (nice mist of fuel in the carb throat if you pump the linkage by hand)? Could also be a worn/tired pump plunger leather.

Cheers,
Harv

[Errol62]

Great work joe. Headlights look authentic. I had the original flat lens h4s in my sedan which didn’t look quite right.


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[FireKraka]

Congratulations Joe you have really accomplished a lot in a relatively short time mate.

Iron out the bugs and away you go.

Regards
Neil

[thebrotherj]

- the motor coughs and almost stalls if you don’t give it a good rev on launch or down low in any gear. No vacuum advance at the moment (diaphragm is holed - I plugged the carby port), so next up I’ll install the HEI dizzy setup I’ve received and see how it behaves then.

Is the acceelerator pump in the carb working (nice mist of fuel in the carb throat if you pump the linkage by hand)? Could also be a worn/tired pump plunger leather.

Cheers,
Harv

I think it's a combination of accel pump and no vac advance to be honest. I did kit the carb, but even giving it squirts in neutral it has never been as punchy as it should be since I did that. There's a good squirt, but I can't say it's a strong, or even a stream of fuel as it should be. I have the accel pump linkage in the middle hole in the little actuator arm, from memory. Whatever the book says is what I did there.

I'm gonna set up the HEI and get it running, then I'll pop the top of the Strommy for a look-see