FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi again, I have just removed and almost completed stripping down the grey motor out of my FC.
I have just posted some photos on the "project car" sectin of the forum, and will include some photos here to.

Now the work begins!!
Not really I hope, as I intend to take the major components to the relavant specialist for reconditioning, purchase any parts that I will be installing, and then commence the rebuild.
That's where I need your help!

1st priority: I am after referals to good mechanics/specialists in or around Melbourne, that can carry out the following tasks on my grey motor components;

1. Recondition the Head - clean, adjust & restore - fit hardened valve seats
2. Recondition the Block - measure, rebore if necessary, clean & restore
3. Recondition Gearbox and Clutch - clean, adjust & restore
4. Recondition Starter Motor
5. Recondition distributor

2nd priority: I am also after referals to good retailers/on-line stores where I can buy the necessary parts for reasonable priices. The parts I envisage (but not limited to) are;
1. Complete set of new gaskets & seals for engine and gearbox
2. New bearings for crankshaft, camshaft, connecting rods and big ends
3. New pistons and rings
4. New forward engine mount


Here some pics of the engine removal;

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010085.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010088.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010089.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010115.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010120.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010124.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010134.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010140.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010144.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010150.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010151.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010152.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010154.jpg)

Hey mate I am not there so don't know which direction to point you to, but I am sure one of the guys here and from Melbourne will be able to help you.

There was something on here about different pistons, however I cant find it for looking at the moment.

Sorry mate not much help at this stage yet.

JB

Found a supplier for pistons at a "reasonable" price of $580 inclusive.
Automotive Surplus 0398733566.
www.autosurplus.com.au

Nick

Have a look at ebay item number 170526293035 ....$380 for the Mahle they bought the piston side or ACL ......FC427......

I have a set of Mahle pistons in the Ambulance, everything seems ok so far, they came from interstate through my parts supplier (Nepean Spares) from memory around the $380 mark.

The pistons were heavier than the originals, but the engine rebuilder said that this was not an issue.

Gary

Thanks for the information about pistons, very helpful!

I have been giving Google a good workout in looking for possible workshops to do the work I need done.

The following are a few companies I have found for the engine head/block reconditioning;

Engine Solutions Victoria                         http://www.enginesolutions.com.au/index.htm ($2)
Engine Action (Engine Rebuilders Pty Ltd)   http://www.engineaction.com/index.htm ($2)
Engine Worx                                          http://www.engineworx.com.au/ ($2)
Footscray Engine Reconditioning               http://www.ferco.com.au/ ($2)

These are for the gearbox/clutch reconditioning;

360 Gearboxes and Diffs                          http://www.360gearboxesdiffs.com.au/index.html ($2)
All Wheel Drive Gearbox reconditioners        http://www.gearboxreconditioners.com.au/ ($2)
Autotrax                                               http://www.autotrax.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1 ($2)

Any comments, experience with any or all of these, or any others worth considering would be greatly appreciated.

Some more photos.....

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010156.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010161.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010162.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010166.jpg)

Just out of curiosity, what size are your crank main bearings? On the underside of the bearing shells you'll see a number. eg: 001, 010, 020. There will also be a number similar to this on top of the pistons.

Colin.

Gary, this won't help much but...

I've had a number of engines rebuilt mostly high performance alloy overhead cam engines, however the last two have been grey motors.

As a non mechanic/engineer I've come to learn that an engine rebuild is just that and in broad terms the type of engine doesn't make a lot of difference, rebuilding an engine is a discipline. My mistake with my grey motors was to assume this wasn't the case and that because a grey is a simple engine a rebuild requires less skill. Whilst this is true to some extent the outcome is often very poor.

If I had had my second motor built in the fist place by the guy who rebuilt it again, it would have cost me less than half what it did.

What I learned is to have it built by someone who does it for a living and preferably normally builds better engines than a grey. Final thing is, no matter what engine it is, if its done right it isnt cheap, you do get what you pay for and sometimes not even that. A good start is someone who builds race engines.

Good luck ;)

ozrocket,

forget about all the engine guys you have mentioned, the only guy i will ever use is mick or jon @ JSR race engines in clayton, give them a call or pop down and see them, i have put a few guys onto them and they have been very very happy
link; http://www.johnsidneyracing.com.au/

i'll give you some other guys details for the other stuff as i find them, its been a while and i have to go through my numbers
hope this helps

ozrocket,
have recently used these people for a 253 rebuild & they were very good to deal with  http://www.reflexeng.com.au/
hope this helps
regards
michael

Just don't use a certain race engine builder over in SA.   My new crank was stuffed in under 200kms :( with no proper explaination. 

Had to buy a complete new motor from GEM Engines a week before the 2010 NATS.

I think GEM said they use red motor valves and oil pump gears since the grey motor stuff is getting thin on the ground.

Cheers
Peter.