FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Galleries => Project Cars - FEs and FCs Under Construction => Topic started by: ozrocket on August 12, 2010, 11:08:18 AM



Title: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on August 12, 2010, 11:08:18 AM
Hi all,
I'm a newbie here, but I will be posting regularly on the restoration section shortly. This is my FC "return-to-the-road project".
I bought the car from QLD about 2 months ago (from carsales.com), had my father-in-law check it out (he lives in Brissy) and on his advice went ahead and bought it. Then I had it immediately trucked to Melbourne.The body and interior is in excellent condition, although there is still some work to be done. The engine requires a complete rebuild, and over this last weekend a friend and I removed and dismantled the engine (photos below). Apart from the mechanical overhaul required, there are seatbelts to find and fit and many small items requiring attention to get the old girl roadworthy and registered. But here we go......!

First Up
Here are the images from carsales.com that 1st attracted me to the car....

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/8070024s.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/8070054.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/8070047.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/8070036.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/8070075.jpg)


Title: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on August 12, 2010, 11:46:25 AM
Next, some photos of the engine removal and dismantle.......

(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/P1010113.jpg)


Title: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on August 12, 2010, 12:08:55 PM
I did have some photos taken of the actual removal with the engine hoist but sadly they did not store on the camera card (finger trouble I suspect!!).
Anyway here are post-removal photos....

(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)
Not a bad day's work. Stopped by the harmonic balancer.......but only for one day! More to follow.

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010147.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010148.jpg)


Title: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on August 12, 2010, 12:16:10 PM
Removal of the harmonic balancer - thanks to the very kind loan of a harmonic balancer removal tool by Tony Galea (thanks also to Jason Blanchard, Scott McKenzie and Joe Galea, who all had a hand in getting this tool to me)......

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010150.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010151.jpg)


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: JB on August 12, 2010, 01:22:17 PM
Those photos look fantastic, 'bout time you got your hands dirty!!  :P

Are you going to paint the engine bay while the engine is out?

Keep them coming! Welcome back to the Fe Fc fold after some years mate.

Cheers
JB


Title: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on August 12, 2010, 01:32:54 PM
Thanks JB! Yeah it's been a while!!
I will be re-doing the engine bay - looking at using KBS coatings rust sealing product http://www.kbs-coatings.com.au/ ($2) - any thoughts?
Now more photos.......


Progress stopped again today by yet another special tool! Here's the removal of the timing gear cover......now to find a thin-walled 7/16th socket to remove the Camshaft Retaining Screws!

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010152.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010154.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010155.jpg)


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: GOA350 on August 12, 2010, 07:16:55 PM
Great work Ozrocket, good to see everything worked out. Good luck with the rest of it and don't be afraid to sing out if you need any help with anything.
 Cheers Scotty


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: EffCee on August 15, 2010, 09:20:49 PM
Going great guns Ozrocket, keep up the good work


Title: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on August 19, 2010, 01:02:40 AM
Thanks for the encouraging feedback!
Progress finally re-commenced yesterday with the purchase of a thin-walled 7/16" socket, and removal of the Camshaft Retaining Screws, followed by the camshaft itself and finally the cranshaft!
The engine strip-down is complete! Now to get the components re-conditioned before reassembly.

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010156.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010159.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/P1010163.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010164.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010165.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010166.jpg)


Title: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on August 19, 2010, 01:18:42 AM
Time to remove the bumper bars so they can be taken off-site for re-chroming.

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010170.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010171.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010175.jpg)
That went a bit easier than I expected! I am now considering removing the other chrome peices than (almost) need restoring, and having it all done at once.

Then it was time for the now-vacated engine bay to get it's 1st real clean up. A quick brush down, removal of the bonnet hinges, a quick scrub down with a wire brush, and a good vacuuming. Amazing how much cleaner it looks already!!

(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010198.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010199.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010200.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010202.jpg)
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/malrandall/P1010204.jpg)

Almost ready now to commence engine-bay phase 2 and fully prep it for re-painting!


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: JB on August 20, 2010, 10:44:28 PM
Looks like you are having a ball Mal, I cant wait to see it in the flesh!!

Be there in about 3 weeks!!

JB


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: GOA350 on August 26, 2010, 03:22:18 PM
G'day Ozrocket,
 what is that lume running from the Generator regulator, is it for an alarm or something similar?


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: DN2168 on September 01, 2010, 12:24:59 AM
Hi OzRocket,

What are the plans for the engine? stock or hottie?

Dean.


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: GMHwagoon on September 03, 2010, 08:13:23 PM
hi ozrocket

  could you tell me  where you are getting your chrome work done and how much was the front bumper to get rechromed  thanks greg


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on September 19, 2010, 03:32:14 AM
Sorry it's been a while posting. I will be posting more photos in the next few weeks - dissy, gennie, starter motor & oil pump strip down & rebuilds, and more chrome removal.

Now to answer the last 3 questions.....

1. The lume running from the Gennie Regulator is a bypass lume from the old reg (which i assume is no longer working) to a new one (not original part) on the other side of the engine bay. I will be removing both the non-standard reg and the lume and restoring the original reg to it's former glory (I picked up 2 original regs at the last auction night/ swap meet which will give me parts!!!).

2. The engine rebuild will be stock. The block & head are currently being re-conditioned and the only real mod thus far is new 3.020" (i.e. +0.020") pistons & rings and a re-bore to +0.020". This is a minimum re-bore required to straighten everything up!

3. I've not taken the chrome in for re-plating yet, but plan to take it to Classic Chrome in Geelong, as recommended by other forum users on this site. Will post photos and feedback on that when that has happened.

More soon!



Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: Rabbitoh on September 19, 2010, 08:06:09 PM
Hi ozrocket,
Who are you using for the engine re-build?
I'd be interested in any feedback you could provide on this aspect of your restoration.


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: GOA350 on November 17, 2010, 09:04:19 PM
Hi Mal, just wondering if there has been any progress?


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: JB on January 04, 2011, 10:11:19 PM
C'mon slacker give us all an update, and some photos!!!


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on September 26, 2021, 12:28:52 PM
Hi all, I'm back after a LONG break!
COVID lock-downs and stand-downs have given me an opportunity to start work on the old girl again.
I will give an update on my progress and post some photos very soon.
Right now however, I am working on the rear suspension, brake assemblies and differential.

Specifically I am in the process of removing the REAR leaf springs at the moment. I have successfully removed the rear shackle plates and bolt assemblies.

But I'm stuck on removing the FRONT mounting bolt and bush assembly.

I have removed the right and left spring front mounting nuts successfully (after applying a lot of WD40), but try as I might I have not been able to extract the bolts.

I have tried more WD40, and applying many very firm taps to the end of the bolts with a heavy duty hammer (whilst protecting the threads for the nuts), but the bolts are just not budging.

Any ideas please?


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ozrocket on September 26, 2021, 12:42:37 PM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/zz139/malrandall/IMG-9729.JPG)


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ardiesse on September 26, 2021, 12:46:03 PM
Get the back of the car a long way off the ground, clamp a heavy lump of metal to the inside spring hanger, make use of a sledgehammer, and lay into it good and proper -

http://forum.fefcholden.club/index.php?topic=27433.173 (if the link doesn't work, go to reply 173 in the thread)

If you have an oxy, heat the inside spring hanger until it's cherry red.

Rob


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: Errol62 on September 26, 2021, 06:23:50 PM
You can buy new ones if you damage it, but as rob says BFH will get a result. Just crack the nut one revolution and hit the thing hard.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: Longman on September 27, 2021, 07:04:08 AM
Grab an oxy or heat gun and apply heat, then bash them out. They are a bugger but will come out eventually.


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: mcl1959 on September 27, 2021, 09:15:32 AM
The method I use is along those lines with a big hammer, however, I’ve found that the willingness to swing hard decreases the closer you get to painted surfaces.
The method I use is with a helper. Get helper to hold an old rear axle against the bolt (when using a big hammer, always get helper to do the holding).
Then hit the axle very firmly with sledge hammer. (Helps if you have removed the wheel studs)
Bolts come out easily.


Title: Re: ozrocket's blue '58 FC sedan "return-to-the-road" project
Post by: ardiesse on September 27, 2021, 09:37:30 AM
Ken's right.  Fortunately the inverse relationship between paint quality and hammer impulse worked to my advantage.

Rob