Thanks Neil. This was an area I repaired previously where a floor shift had been fitted. I had tried reshaping with the hammers which made it brittle and easy to blow holes in. All fixed now.
Inspection cover is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie
getting my FB ute on the road
EK van on rotisserie
Doesn’t look like much but I spent two days massaging the cover to clear and fit
Still a couple of spots to pein from underneath where the extension housing bolts up to box. The three speed all synchro housing is much more compact than four speed, containing no reverse gear bits. This allows for retention of the stock no 1 body member centre saddle piece.
FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie
getting my FB ute on the road
EK van on rotisserie
On to the rear mount. Astute readers may recognise the remnants of the subframe leg reinforcing jig I made up about a zillion dribbling posts ago, reused here to bridge from no 1 body member to the boxed seam up under the seat. One side fabricated, with care not to let the angle close up during welding.
FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie
getting my FB ute on the road
EK van on rotisserie
One of these has been on my list for a while.O'Brien's have been making these since 1948 and one of the few automotive manufacturers still going in sleepy little Adelaide. The son is now in charge since dad died not too long ago. They do wholesale and on line via email, with cash sales at the front office, no eftpos.
While I have the engine out I will replace the VH44 booster with an old VH40 from my sedan. Using a flipped HR bracket to bolt up to the nutserts I installed for the VH44.Should pump up easily as it is in virtually the same spot. I momentarily considered relocating under the tray but I can do without that much scope creep.
Another thing I'm doing while motor is out is installing senders for this nifty little gauge. Not very period but will be well hidden.
At least the holder is a bit more in keeping.
Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk
getting my FB ute on the road
EK van on rotisserie
Went on our honeymoon in it Greg. The tail shaft and crossmember came with HR radiator, 202 and ozzy4spd, out of a hydramatic body ek special wagon that got defected. Looked s good car. I should have tried to buy it whole maybe. God knows what the guy did with it. 1986 in Angle Vale.
In the second last photo it is looking straight on the speedo drive. Potential conflict with the handbrake set up I was thinking. Bloody hot rod I don’t know.
FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie
getting my FB ute on the road
EK van on rotisserie
Nice design on the gearbox support.
If the speedo cable can not bend enough to clear, then
I suggest you drill a hole in the support, weld a couple of lage washers either side and slip in a plastic grommet.
See you on Sunday ?
Cheers,
Roger
There is a right way and a wrong way and then there is my way which is usually the long way.