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Big step towards the finish getting the front back on Drew. Looking good.

Cheer Brett but now I’m standing back having a good look at the job I think I may have ballsed it up.

The top part of the frame is out of alignment and looks twisted.

It could be the way I installed it.

Had that mastic crap on the faces which meet the fire wall and had it lightly fixed in place whilst I got the bottom dog leg bolts in place.

The mastic started to dry before I nudged the whole frame into its home position and tightened the firewall bolts.

It all looked good until I actually had a decent check over of it.

Photos below and options are most welcome.

I have no issues with removing the Y frame and starting again if necessary.

Drew, there are more experienced people than me around who might think differently, but if you have all the blots and screws in it must be in the right place I'm thinking.

Yes that was my mindset too just bolt her up and she will be apples but now I’m doubting myself.

Pop a guard on and see what it looks like. I can't see anything to worry about in the photos. If you can line a guard up on the plenum grill and a straight line down the A pillar its all good.

Drew,

The subframe on the EK's I have owned never fitted perfect and a lot of the time its shear luck they bolt back into place the way they come off.

Your guard bolts will align all the small twists normally, but as Brett has mentioned put the guards on and see if it looks ok via them.

If all of your firewall bolts do up and you have the bottom bolts in then that's as close as you will get it.

Also once the weight goes back into the engine bay and the car is resting it will stress and move again.

It looks ok to me and great job so far.

Greg

Agree with above Drew. Did you actually look at how good the panel fit was before you disassembled it? Probably not that good anyway.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Cheers fellas, o have my panel beater mate dropping over this arvo to eye ball it so I’ll see what he says.

I do think I could get it better though if I had another crack at it with an extra set of hands.

It really is a 2 person job.

If necessary I’ll rip them back off this arvo and take my time refitting them with my brother tomorrow.

I can call in Wednesday arvo if it’s any help


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Hi Drew, I didn't take the front off mine...maybe there's a big cut out to take into account variations but both my sides are centred in the cutouts. Here's some pics. Please ignore the non standard fixings, dust, leaves and pollen. Patrick

If all the bolts went back in including the self tappers then it pretty much HAS to be where it was, 5mm difference on these things is probably pretty good, that's why they have small bolts and big holes - makes it easier to line stuff up

Yes I totally understand that the tolerances on these rigs are pretty inconsistent but the penny has dropped why I am seeing the frame spread out on the top.

I made a bar to help lift the Y frames with the engine hoist, that lifting bar was not measured to suit the car, it was made when the y frames were loose on the ground.

That bar kept the frame spread apart too far on the top and hence the result that I now need to fix…

So this bar explains why the top of the frame is up shit creek so I’ll take my time with my brother and get it right… or a lot better than it is…

And thanks Patrick for the photos I’ll be referring to them tomorrow when I re fit the frames.

Clay I think I’ve worked out what I’ve done wrong so no need to come over for this little job, I’ll shout you soon enough for a lens of those big hands of yours!

Front is back off…

Bloody hate wasting time and doing things twice but somehow deep inside it makes me happy to be walking round in circles…

When I removed the frames I found it was hitting that hard against the vent piece that it left a dent!

Hopefully tomorrow will see it fitted smooth and square, I’m just hoping the y frames are not twisted to all hell after all the fabrication work I have done on it.

Get the plumb bob and 5 metre tape out. Plumb the outsides of the rear spring hangers and centre of front crossmember front bolt holes accurately on to the shed floor.and measure either side and diagonals. You will soon see. Now it is off the rotissetie you can level it on the floor to make sure it isn't twisted. If it is I'll bring around my mates brute force and ignorance.

FB ute driver, EK van project