fbekholden.com

When I did the ute I put connectors on everything that I could. Makes a world of difference when you need to trace a fault or pull things out. The only regret I have is putting tape on the big looms up behind the dash. Tape makes the big wire bundles stiff and hard to move around. I am replacing tape with cable ties where I can in those hidden areas on this review/update session.

Getting some steering bits fabbed up at my favourite car place in Collector. Couple of photos of gratuitous engine stuff for those who enjoy these things.

Interesting filler cap on the radiator on the blue one - must need to get the water in FAST

Blacky wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 5:40 pm Interesting filler cap on the radiator on the blue one - must need to get the water in FAST

Or it was designed by whoever stuck an RB30 into the VL Commodore, with the head higher than the radiator top tank. Then made the bleed screws steel into alloy inlet fittings... with little M8 heads for easy snapping.

I am getting very accomplished at using a 2L Coke bottle to pressure bleed the rotten things.

Cheers,
Harv

An update on the fan shroud. Finally fitted it today while still waiting on a few other bits and pieces to get the ute back on the road. Sorry about the picture quality.

Very tidy looks like a bought one

Looks good.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Fitted the Celica five speed over the last couple of days. Used the Mal Woods hydraulic thrust bearing, which required some modifications to the Dellow bell housing. Same pressure plate, clutch plate to suit Celica splines and new pilot bearing as Celica tiny in comparrison to Holden one.
Had to modify the rear mount to suit the 4 bolt mount and location but that was a simple cut off M20 mount and weld on a new plate. Had to modify my handbrake cable/ lever thingy as the previous one was on a tube that linked the two front kframe crossmembers. Celica box is in the way for that.
New speedo cable to suit box and EK speedo. The gear lever came through the floor in almost the same spot, so no mods to that stuff (so far- gear lever is not on currently as it's easier to do steering work without it). Shortened driveshaft fits neatly, so happy with that.
All in all, a fairly straight forward conversion with no serious engineering required.
A few poorley executed photos for posterity.
Hoping my power steering parts will turn up soon for the next phase.

Nice job. What were the mods required to bellhousing? Did you have to grind down the pivot ball boss?


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Yes, ground the pivot ball base level and opened up the quadrant where Mal's post piece bolts onto the gearbox so it fitted. Hope I've got the bearing spacing right!

I dummy installed mine with plasticine to confirm my measurements and still ended up having to adjust, but it was all brand new flywheel, pressure and driven plate. Also, I found that how the hose sat could push the bearing forward so it is touching. More free play is better than less, but if it is too much then it is box out.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Good work Brett

Power steering play.
Not sure if I will go through with this, but so far it fits in the space and connects to the steering box. Quite a bit to do to get the column to join up without interfering with the collapsible column too much. Anyway some pics for entertainment.

Come on, you have to now. I like how you mounted the clutch master.

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

Back on the road without power steering as yet. Engine is purring nicely and much easier to start for some reason. Ended up going back to a single choke- silver soldered the EK knob onto a new wire and outer.
The Celica 5speed is a perfect match for the engine and is a really sweet unit. 5th gear is a real treat, with all shifts effortless. Driveshaft is vibration free so good result there too.
Waiting for another Prius cpu from the States before finalising the conversion.