Hi Clay just checked out the old girl and it would appear that I do need that speedo gear. Its reading 5mph faster than actual speed. So when it reads 60mph on the speedo its showing 55mph on the Garmin. If anyone out there has an FJ speedo drive for sale. Id be real happy to hear from you.

Regards Rod.

Not yet Errol, next weekend. In between voting 

Rod

How difficult was it to change that seal, does the gearbox require dismantling? Is it easy to get out? Mine is leaking like a sieve. Just wondering what sort of task I have ahead of me.


Regards Rod.

Your not hijacking it Errol, Ive got to test my speedo against something so have been busy downloading the app  I'll be happy with close.

Rod

Hi Dan, I found slow corners no problem in second. It actually seemed easier to drive. 1st goes out a lot further and even though my poor old engine is tired and smokey there was more than enough power to take off.  Had to slow down for a few roundabouts, took it in second and just drove out easily. Its so nice not hearing the old grey scream at low speeds. She was really happy at 60mph. I reckon she is way better now on those long gradual climbs. I tried to test her out on all scenarios. Couldn't fault it.

Rod.

If anyone out there has an FJ holden speedo drive gear they are willing to sell Id be really happy to hear from you. Just upgraded my FC diff from a 3.89 to a 3.55 and the FJ speedo gear will bring my speedo back to reading correctly.


Regards Rod.

Hi Dan (DCE80) Just wanted to let you know I took Mable out after all the repairs, mainly to see how the new 3.55 ratio diff would go. Wow what a difference to the car! Its so much better. She revs out much more in second now and has a much more leisurely top speed now. On the long uphill areas I can put her in 2nd and just pull up the hill, before she revved out I dropped her into top and she died, then back to second till she revved out then back to top and so on all the way to the top. None of that crap now she just sails up the hills in 2nd, Im going much faster when I put her in top and she pulls just as well.

So glad I made the change, no diff or axle noise from the new diff and new axle bearings, no oil leaks and the car is just a better car to drive in my opinion. Cant for the life of me understand why Holden ever put a 3.89 in them in the first place. Seems like very poor engineering, its not like they were setting it up for the drag strip or anything. 



Thanks guys for all the advice.

Rod.

Ok now have new rear axle bearings on, and new axle oil seals to fit. The new oil seals are much narrower than the old original ones. I hope they will do the job.  When I put the axles in there are two plates that need to be fitted. My plates were top and bottom (I think) however in the book it shows them as front and back. Does it matter which way they go on? Secondly where do those square paper gaskets go, is it in between the plates and the banjo housing?or between the plates and the rear of the axle?

Lastly does anyone have a diff plug for sale. I still have mine however it is in very poor condition and stripped on each of the edges. If anyone has one I would love to hear from you.

Regards Rod.

Well I finally got the rear axle oil seals out using a slide hammer set up.  Thanks for all your help guys. I found out that the rear gearbox oil seal was even more difficult to remove. Half way through Mable and I had a discussion got the cold chisel out and what do you know Mable gave up finally. Out popped the seal. Hopefully she will be kind from now on instead of fighting me all the way.



Now have a new 3.55 ratio diff, new universal joints and tailshaft yolk. Tailshaft cleaned and repainted gloss black, new rear gearbox seal, new axle bearings and seals. Ill be so glad to get back on the road and try out the new ratio.

Regards Rod.

Thanks Dan sounds like you used a lot of common sense. Im still learning but loving it. I really enjoy working on the old girl and as time goes by I am finding that I am able to fix an awful lot. I have a go and ask advice from more experienced people in here. I've found everyone on the forum very happy to give advice even when I ask dumb questions.  The blasted seals are still in there, Ill spend some time this weekend trying to remove them. I will attempt to make one of Kens home made seal removers however that may take me some time in itsself. 

I just had my fuel tank repaired in a radiator shop. Whilst there I asked the exact same question. The guy told me that numerous people purchasing these alloy radiators have taken them back out and reinstalled the original. He said the Alloy ones in his experience don't cool as efficiently as the original and advised me to stick with the brass and copper.




Regards Rod.

Thanks Ken, Great idea. I will try and make something up.

So where do these gaskets go. There were definitely no gaskets like this on my vehicle. I realise they are for different models such as FB EH etc. they came with my Banjo diff gasket.

Is there any trick to getting these blasted axle oil seals out? Ive been trying all afternoon.


and while we are at it any tricks for putting in the new ones? Any advice much appreciated.

Regards Rod.

What a wonderful colour scheme your car is! India Ivory and Corsair Tan?


Rod

Hi Longman, picked up the fuel tank from Renner Radiators Fyshwick this afternoon. He did a great job. Cleaned the interior, checked the pickup, soldered every hole, made smooth then pressure checked and repainted. I paid the Princely sum of $95.00. He does not use water in the tank, uses an inert gas prior to soldering or welding.

It turns out that he does all the radiator and fuel tank repairs for the National Museum of Australia and showed me pictures of the radiator rebuild he did to Holden #1 which is housed at the museum. Said he is used to rebuilding Veteran and Vintage radiators and can even work on ultra modern vehicles like the FC Holden. He is old school and loves to repair back to original specification.

Loves to talk old cars and is very easy to deal with. Family business of over 50yrs. Qualified mechanic and works on his own. I will use him again. If you want your modern FC Holden repaired I think he would be then man!

Rod.

Thats the info I was after Ken, thanks Gloss Black it will be. 

Whilst I have the fuel tank out of the old girl, Ive decided to change the diff to a 3.55 and as part of that process need to change the rear universal. The tailshaft I plan on getting sand blasted and repainted. My tailshaft is covered in grime and rust however it appears to have a peachy orange colour to it. This may be a dumb question however can anyone tell me what colour the tailshafts were painted? If so can anyone tell me what the colour was called?


Regards Rod.

Will do Longman. 

Thanks Graham, its already at Renner radiators Fyshwick. Hope to get it back mid next week.

Regards Rod.

Hi, was wondering if anyone in the forum has had to repair their tank in a condition similar to mine. Its honeycombed in two areas, the rest of the tank is pristine. I would be grateful for the best way to repair the tank not necessarily the quickest. I am hoping that a solder repair can be done. Any thoughts?





Regards Rod.