Front ends

[Poo Wagon Bloke]

G'day,
Can anyone tell me what the differences are of the FE, FC, FB and EK frontends?  Are they interchangeable?

Thanks,
Alan

[Sarge]

Yes they are, but you should change the outrigger also the brake are a bigger diameter.

Cheers
Sarge & Kiwi

[mcl1959]

They are interchangeable - no need to cut and change the outrigger.
The difference is that the FB/EK front end is not as deep under the sump as FE/FC - it is the same general shape as the EJ/EH and HD/HR front end. This is why the outrigger off FB/EK and EJ/EH are used on HR front ends when fitted to FE/FC Holdens.
When fitting to an FE/FC, an FB/EK front end has different size brake pipes, you need to use the FE/FC front brake hoses, or use adaptors to convert from 3/8 to 7/16 thread size, or have custom hoses made which are 3/8 one end and 7/16 the other end.
Other differences
FB/EK has different front shocks which don't protrude under the wishbone.
FB/EK has wider brake shoes and drums.
FB/EK has a bigger upper kingpin pivot bolt diameter
FB/EK has a different front stabiliser bar.
FB/EK has different front springs which are slightly heavier than FE/FC

Ken