Hi Guys and Girls
Just brought my next project a original FC ute that has been in a shed in outback NSW for the last 10 years. The car as been in the same town since new and is very straight and RUST FREE :o it comes with a heap of parts and I will be selling all the surplus parts once I sort them out.
I will post some photos soon and will post update photos as the project takes shape.
Cheers
Glenn
FVC8
Pictures..............PICTURES!!!!!!...... :D
Hi all
Photos are coming, I dont pickup the car to late next week. What i am trying to decide now is to leave it stock or not, its original as could be at the moment and I have done the v8 conversion thing in the past on my old v8 wagon. So just trying work out what direction to go with the ute.
Any advice is most welcome.
Cheers
Glenn
Retro street machine full of go fast goodies for the ol grey to get excited about. ;D
I agree with steamman, ole school is back and retro go fast cranks in old greys could be the go, especially being a rarer ute, do the stocky sleeper thing ha ha.
Hi All
Picking up the Ute tomorrow ;D I will be taking plenty of photos and I will post them up tomorrow night. Looking forward to getting the hands dirty again after a few years being FC less. I have decided which direction to go with the rebuild now just to get it home.
Cheers
Glenn
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/088.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/089.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/090.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/091.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/092.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/093.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/094.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/095.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/096.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20holden%20ute/097.jpg)
Glenn,
That was a nice fine.
Good luck with the rebuild, I know it will be great.
Cheers
John
Thanks John
I have started the strip down and I am very pleased with the ute's condition. I was also given a full set of FC sedan doors,2 extra guards,fc dash, 4 X 13" inch period dragway mags, full set of door scuff plates to suit a sedan, Fc sedan rear cut section to make a lounge, I have no need for these extra parts so if anyone wants them PM me if you want any of the extra parts.
Cheers
Glenn
PM sent
Nick
Looks like a nice ute find.... ;D ;D ;D all the best with the build
PM sent
"Have A Great Holden ( FE ) Day !!!" :):):)
FE 4 ME
Hi All
Finally worked out what direction Im going to take with the ute. I was thinking stock but cant bring myself to do it that way, it going to be v8 chev as thats what I like and its not like I haven't done it before. The rebuild will take a bit longer now but at least I get to makethe improvements I wanted to make on my old wagon. The ute is off to the blasters in 2 weeks I will post before and after photos once its done.
Cheers
Glenn
Good luck with it Glenn. If its anything like the wagon it will be great.
Cheers,
Graham
Sounds great to me ( and everytime you start it up ;) ), i look forward to your updates Glenn
FE 4 ME
I hope it all goes well for you. R u gunna go the glam bling ute or a bit of a rat rod ute with an old school chev. old ute mite look cool in faded or dulled paint etc, but i better not think about it too much cos im nearly going crazy doing the fe and fc i have now.
Hi guys, Been busy stripping the ute and building a rotisserie to get it ready to go to the blasters.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0112.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0110.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0108.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0113.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0119.jpg)
cant wait to see how it comes back from the blasters and get started with the modifications needed to fit the chev v8
Will post photo when it returns home from the blasters
Cheers Glenn
Looks like well on your on your way there Glen, is it still ok to fit a v8 in NSW
Regards, Gary
If that Rotisserie is anything to go on, you sure will have a great Ute at the end of it, i look forward to seeing more pics and great engineering work along the way
great work and start to the journey
enjoy Glenn
"Have a Great Holden Day !!!" :):):)
FE 4 ME
Hi all
Drop the ute off at 8.30am got a call at 4.30pm that the ute was finished :o :o The blaster said that the rotisserie made his job so much easier. When I got to his workshop here was the ute ready to go blastered and etch primered.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0120.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0121.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0124.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0125.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0129.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0128.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0122.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0123.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0126.jpg)
Very happy with the quality of the work and would recommend him to anyone.
Cheers
Glenn
Very very nice!!!
You poor bastard (insert sarcasim) all that rust should take you all of an hr to fix them pin holes ..
What a shell a shame to cut that floor to put a big tunnell in it but you couldnt get a better body even the front of the sills is smick.
Well done.
I know seem a shame to take to it with the angle grinder :'(. I hope my hand doesnt shake to much. I was expecting it to be a lot worse for rust, may have to re think which way to go. Bodys this good dont come along very often :-\ :-\
Cheers
Glenn
They have always said to find the best body you can to start with to make the job easier... What a great place to start!!!
Its another fc on the road regardless of whats done to it .
Could be worse a scrappy could have got a hold of it.
Glen,
What a nice starting point ???
John
That old ute looks too good to cut up but it is yours after all and yeah - it was saved from crappy scrappies.
I bought an EK ute down from Qld with the sole idea of cutting it up but when it got here it was too good so it's getting a full stock resto. then I got a chance to get an FB ute, once again a rust free body!
Sooooo, for this one it is going to be built as a period street mod 'hotty' so it can all be easily put back to standard but it will have the sound and feel of a decent OLD car sitting on HR stuff as per usual but a warm grey through a rebuilt std crash, Perry extractors etc etc.
Eventually I'll find something worthy of an angle grinder and MIG !!! Already gathering parts for that one and who knows it might just be an FE or FC (wagon)???
Worth a thought?
Dave Mac
Awesome starting point Glenn.
I wouldnt hesitate to cut it, will make the finished job that much sweeter.
Cheers
Ed
Now thats just showing off, ;). Im jealous.
wow
Hey Glenn, thats one of the best ute bodies I've seen.
Look forward to you weaving your magic.
Hi Guys.
I have decided and started to modify the ute. I collected the rest of the parts from the blasters, which came up just as good as the body did. I spent today welding up all the holes that are no longer required.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0138.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0139.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0137.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0136.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0140.jpg)
Its a start but alot more to go.
Cheers
Glenn
Hi all
Found some rust in the front chassis rail so out came the cutting wheel.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0141.jpg)
Made up some fresh, clean panels ready to weld into position.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/000_0142.jpg)
Will update as i go.
Cheers
Glenn
Great looking ute Glenn. :)
Hopefully it all goes to plan. The Chev is a good idea.
No thought of buying the rust pieces for the front chassis rail , just whipped a few pieces up in your spare time ;D
Regards
Wayne b
Yeah Wayne, Have grinder will make panels.
Here is the finished subframe, rust repaired and modified, now ready for paint,
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/003.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/002.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/001.jpg)
Now to start on the rear tub area.
Cheers Glenn
Hi Guys
Finally got a little time to play with the ute, some more progress photos.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/379484_2941161971591_1337457739_3261219_1631408182_n.jpg)
Floor marked out ready to bring out the cutting wheel.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/383776_2941165451678_1337457739_3261222_1874158350_n.jpg)
Jezz thats a huge hole.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/392151_2941221453078_1337457739_3261241_1586224614_n.jpg)
Tunnel tacked into position,
Cheers
Glenn
Hi
Good progress mate. I too have tossed around many ideas and I have decided to do what I want to do, without the compromises, despite the fact it will take longer and I am doing a 350 chev conversion for the FE, but will have the FC stock as per the original taxi.
It will just look old school, no Efi etc, just basic engine but with some mods to make life comfortable along the way. So, since you are ahead of me, I'll be watching with great interest.
Cheers
Deano.
Thats a neat bit of surgery there Glenn, nice to see it laid out in the pics as it's a good guide for others
Is that one of the ebay humps?
Gary
Thanks Guy's for the comments.
Deano, You can beat the looks and sounds of a nice v8, im only quick at this because i have done it before and have learnt for the mistakes i made on my old wagon.
Gary, This site and the people have helped me out heaps over the years so it nice to hope i can help others out with the small bit of knowledge i have left, (that hasnt been affected by Bourbon ;D ;D ;D) The tunnel is from v6 conversions for $85.00.
Here are a few more from underneath and fully welded except 6" because the mig decided to go on hoildays early >:( >:( >:(
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/100_2476.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/100_2478.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/100_2480.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/100_2479.jpg)
Underneath has all been dollied up and once the welder is up and going i will stitch weld underneath, fabracate a tunnel subrail, then seam seal the lot.
Cheers
Glenn
Glenn
Email sent
Nick
Hi all
Latest update,
The tunnel is finished
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/116-1.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/117.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/118.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/120.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/119.jpg)
Cheers
Glenn
Looking great Glenn, keep it up and keep the pics flowing.
Jim. ps sent you a pm
Hi all
Spent the day replacing both the under floor rails, they came up very well, all welded in, etched primered and seam sealed. Now moving on to the rear tub section and trying to work out what fuel tank to put in either original or maybe xb f**d any suggestions?
Glenn
Glenn, I've heard that a vl c/dore tank will fit between the chassis rails, have'nt seen it done though. I remember a few years ago at a car show a bloke had a v6 in an FJ and he said he had the vl tank in it.If it works it's better than a ford.
Regards Jim
See below, Fevan V6 used an enlarged vn one for extra capacity. He is rebuilding his, perhaps see if he is changing his for his new build, he may have the old one for sale (depending on what he wants to do I don't know).
Title: Re: 365 days
Post by: fevanv6 on May 23, 2009, 08:00:59 PM
341 Days...
Fuel tank today, 80 litre VN tank.
The tank has been cut open and 13cm added for 40 more litres, and the VT fuel pump and surge tank incorporated into the tank while open.
What a pipe dream that was 365days to get to the nationals with a car... The things we try and do...
The tank is a VN and it does fit in the rails but doesn't leave a lot either side for much. The tank was cleaned and I cut it, but had to pay for someone to weld the extra section in, so if you are good with a tig then it would be cost effective. I got an extra 35 litres (Best guess) as I haven't actually filled it up yet. There have been others who have put the same tank in using the original straps from the VN, see FCRB30 Wagon by Pedro on page 13. Mine was page 2 on 365days...
This should give you 2 perspectives on the VN anyway.
The old tank was rotten and thrown out long ago, as were most of the rusted bits and pieces that came out of the ute.
Hope it helps,
Cheers
JB
Apparantly they mabe 80ltr long range fuel tanks for vn-vs Stato's more likely the V8'S, There's one on Gumtree Melb right now,should save you some time and money! Gaz . ;D
Hi all
Got a day off so I made up a bracket for the VQ V8 Statesman brake booster.
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/012.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/009.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/FCV8/fc%20ute/004.jpg)
This bracket uses the original master cylinder holes so it can be put back to original if needed
fits in there very nicely. Needed to enlarge the push rod hole to 40mm but it all hooks to the original pedal assembly. I cut off the original VQ push rod end and welded on the original fc end to give full pedal movement.
Cheers
Glenn
It amazes me the various combinations and ingenuity that goes into this aspect of a build. I'd love to be able to line up say five diff combos and test them all for pedal feel and performance. And i like the idea of being able to reverse mods if you wanna reverse anything :D
Smart thinking Glenn, looks like it was a factory fit,what about the cluch or are you running an auto?. As Deano said, it's a great idea to be able to go back to standard if you ever need to. Thanks again for your photos, I've been ploding along with the rust repairs and will post some shots after the weekend.
Jim