Hi Bill & Judy,
We would like to add our thanks with all the others, a great Nationals and a great chance to tour your amazing state.
Arrived in Melbourne this morning along with about 7 other FE & FC's, always a great sight to see the cars together.

Any chance you could post the list of judged awards and entrants choice please Bill, our other members who did not attend would like to know who were the winners 

Cheers,
Trevor & Chris.

PS - don't forget the dinner offer and that bottle of red I owe you 

Have a great trip down Fred & Candy,
Keep an eye out for me on the boat 

Cheers,
Trevor_B

20 years parts book states a VJU6BR54 is for an EJ - part No 7415689;
Distributor housing 7415689 is stated as suiting FJ to EJ - part No 7425341.

I didn't know there was short & long shaft versions??

Trevor_B

Hi Graeme,
I recently fitted a wagon roof lining and agree that it is quite a task.

It took me about 20 hours to get it to where I was happy. Stinky supplied it based on his template which was not a perfect match for mine, as a result I had to relocate a couple of hoops at the ends. I believe you sent your old one for Stinky to use as a pattern so should be a reasonable fit?

I used a large quantity of bulldog clips to hold it all in place and a hair drier to help stretch the lining to remove wrinkles before hooking it into the teeth. Just watch the stitching to see how it is stretching to see how much tension you can apply. The material that Stinky made mine from was excellent, heavy enough to take a lot of stretching but light enough not to hold wrinkles much.

Having said that, I probably would not try it again...

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Hi John,
Many people (self included) like to put a screw in the hole in the joiner block and so force all the oil along the pivot shafts. That way you get the best possible lubrication to the rockers.

When I restarted an old engine after it had been sitting for a couple of years it took about 5 minutes before the oil got to all the rockers.

Also, you could put an oil pressure gauge at the oil pressure light outlet on the block to check the condition/pressure of the pump (then take it back off if you don't want it there). I would do that before pulling it out to reco as the oil pump parts (gears & relief valve) are almost impossible to get. If you do need to reco it there is a way to use red motor gears but it requires a small amount of machining - I have the details if you need them.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Thanks Bill,
Can you please add Chris & Trevor Black to the lunch order for Friday please 

See you soon.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

20 years parts book lists HR front cross member to body bolts as:

Bolt - Hex hd 1/2" - 20 x 5"   4 off Part No 123068
with spring washer and hex nut of course.

FC ones are 5 1/2" long and will run out of thread before tightening correctly.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Hi Fred and Candy,
If you are taking the night sailing on Friday 11th April then you will have some company 
I am taking Chris's ute across while she flies across Saturday lunchtime.

Heading back I have the night sailing on Sunday 27th after I drop Chris at Launceston airport at lunchtime.

Only 53 sleeps til we sail 

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Thanks guys,
Stewy, your venetians look much better than mine, looks like I need to massage mine.

Colour is non-standard.... white is Alpine White from VN Commodore and Green is a custom metallic mix (a close match to interior trim) with clear coat over.

Having 3 cars and 2 drivers will be a bit of a challenge EKUte but I have some kids who a prepared to help out thanks anyway 

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Thanks guys,
I'm pretty happy with it 

Not sure about the FE bit.... I wouldn't knock one back but as my first car was an FC sedan (much like Beatrice) I do have a liking for this model.

Pete, I'm not sure about the venetians either, they came with the car but don't quite look right do they. As Stewy said, you can't put them in any other way (I tried too).

Also, I am quite lucky, my wife Chris is right into our cars as well. In fact Lily (the green ute) is actually her car - if I want to drive it I need to be quick into the driver's seat. When we take the ute to the Nationals she enters and I am the +1 

Cheers,
Trevor_B

After a couple of years working on an FC Wagon we have finally got her moving under her own power.

Introducing "Elsie", sister to Beatrice (FC Sedan) and Lily (FC Ute):















The girls together:



We bought the wagon semi finished from Lester Hilli (Yellow FE Panel Van with Glenmix logos) several years ago and stored her under cover until retirement allowed the required time for a full ground up resto (still took 2 years though  )

We had considered taking her  to the Nats but at this stage still have Lily (the ute with canopy) registered. The ute has the record with us after the 10,000km Perth Nats trip and is a really nice car to drive.

So... with a sedan, ute and now wagon in hand we only need a Panel Van to complete the set  Ohh, and a new place to live as we are already busting at the seams - 5 cars and a camper trailer on a normal city house block is a real challenge so an extra car would mean something's out on the street.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Advice from Macedon Ranges and District Motor Club inc:

Hanging Rock Car Club Picnic postponed

The 27th annual Macedon Ranges Car Club Picnic scheduled for Hanging Rock this Sunday - 9th Feb 2014 has been postponed.

The Club and Council in consultation with regional emergency services and authorities have made the decision based on the extreme weather conditions currently forecast for Sunday with potential extreme fire danger, strong winds and storms.

Whilst the decision was made reluctantly public safety was the prime consideration with the very real risk of fire impacting on the 10,000 plus crowd. The strong winds also had the potential to cause serious injury especially as the nature of the event is to picnic at your car under the trees.

Hanging Rock will also be closed on Sunday in the interests of public safety.

The club will work with Council to attempt to reschedule the event over the next month or so.

 more info: http://www.picnicathangingrock.com.au/

Regards,
Trevor_B
 

Hi Mark,
Pics as requested:







This is our setup.



Let me know if you need more.

Cheers
Trevor_B

Hi Mark,
I made up my own for our Ute, mainly due to my concern of an original one not being strong enough for the purpose - specifically for towing our camper trailer from Melbourne to Perth & back for the Nats.

I used 10mm side plates to the same side anchor points at the bumper bar mounting bolts and a 65 x 65 SHS across with another 65 SHS at 90 degrees to form the mounting for a towbar hitch i.e. a standard style 50 x 50 square hitch as used on modern cars. I purchased a height adjustable hitch from Repco for $100.

If you want some pictures please let me know.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Hi Scott,
I must have copied the link incorrectly 

Try this one:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Holden-138-Grey-Motor-Piston-Ring-set-FX-FJ-EK-FB-FC-EJ-Grey-Motor-3-062-Rings-/321302840383?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4acf24443f

Otherwise do an Ebay search on Holden 138 Grey Motor Piston Ring set.

Trevor_B

Hi Scott,

Assume you are looking for 3 1/16"?

You can get them from Ebay:
Ebay Item #http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Holden-138-Grey-Motor-Piston-Ring-set-FX-FJ-EK-FB-FC-EJ-Grey-Motor-3-062-Rings-/321302840383?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4acf24443f

If you have no luck then let me know....

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Just a thought Keith but is the breather clear?

I have experienced a blocked breather which resulted in a pressure build up when the diff & oil heats up.
This may cause oil to be forced past the seals or past the gaskets.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

My understanding is that J is a term for a lip on the inside of the rim to stop the bead of the tyre running (or being pulled) off the rim hence JJ means there's a lip on both sides of the rim i.e. left hand and right hand sides.

More info here:
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html - look under "J, JJ, K, JK, B, P and D : Tyre bead profiles / rim contour designations.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

You could also try Scotts Old Auto Rubber in Oakleigh VIC:

Gear shift dust boot - column changer  1  243.009  $16.39 ea

http://www.scottsoldautorubber.com.au/Holden%201956-59%20FE-FC.htm

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Hi Mickrat,
I believe the picture below is of an FC Sedan tank with the top removed - this might help you with your decision...



Can't remember where I got the photo from or who did it - I just took my tank to a good radiator repair place and had it cleaned and resealed.

Cheers,
Trevor_B