fbekholden.com

You are going to notch the splash pans? They help with radiator efficiency I believe.

Errol62 wrote: Fri Apr 17, 2026 7:51 pm You are going to notch the splash pans? They help with radiator efficiency I believe.

Not sure yet. I may notch them or press them into a different shape. It'll depend on how much clearance is needed.

Engine and box in. Happily the damper clears the crossmember and sway bar.

Very tidy to say the least. Is that 1/2” copper and have you SAE flared it?

It's 5/8 tubing. No SAE flares needed. Once clamped, tarnished copper sticks to rubber really well.

Got everything hooked up and turned the key today. Spent most of the day sorting plumbing and wiring in the engine bay to suit the changes I've made in a few areas. Everything is running fine but I've noticed a 10 psi drop in oil pressure compared to when it was running on the dyno. I'm pretty sure it'll be an instrumentation electrical issue but will check it with the mechanical gauge again.
I did forget that I had to recheck the steering at full lock to see if the steering connecting rod is still rubbing with the different sump fitted and it's all good. It also reminded me that I didn't post my recent find weeks ago with all the parts I picked with my old FB. There were about 4 extra sumps so I checked them against all of mine and found that there are 3 different grey sumps! The pictures clearly show the different bowl shapes and lengths. One to watch out for as this caught me out with regards to the steering.

That is interesting Craig. Do you know when they made the changes to the sump pans?

Any idea which sump is off what mate ?

MasterParts says that the pan assembly is common FX-EK (7409864), then changed for EJ (7419018).

Cheers,
Harv

The middle sump was the original one on the engine in my FB (J serial number block) and that's the one that always hit the connecting rod.
The bottom one is what I've refitted and clears ok.
I'd say the top one might be 48/215 and FJ with the different font end and reversed front engine mount which might have the engine further forward.
That would leave the middle one for the EJ which I think was slightly lower and to the rear. Always wondered why the EJ blocks had a dipstick tube. This could be it or its to do with higher continuous revs on better roads and oil getting pushed out past the crappy felt seal.
That's my best guess.

14 years since I fitted these as new from RS. Not only these, but every bit of my vacuum tubing for my wipers and washers has fallen to bits. The rubber products made now aren't of the quality they should be.

You are lucky to get 2 years out of them these days mate ........

The top sump will be from an EJ. It should have an "O" stamped into the middle step.
Early sumps have a 7/8"AF sump plug and lack the internal baffle.
My 1957 master parts catalog has two part numbers: one for FX/FJ (7401015) and one for FE (7409864). Presumably the FE sump was carried through to EK.

Rob

Bluddy hell, you’ve motivated me to go out in the cold and get out my MPC.

So as Harv said the earlier 48, 50, FJ sump Rob speaks of doesn’t appear in my later edition. The earlier pan must have been superseded, with the later FE EK unit being a bolt in replacement fit.