Thanks for all your prompt responses... I replaced the thermostat (the old one seemed to still be working - but a new one was only 10 bucks) and 'bleed' the system however the timing was way out and running real crappy - so that may have cause the initial overheating. 

Its all tuned up now and running fine.. I'll have to take it for a drive tomorrow and see how the temp/oil pressure goes.

Thanks for your help... its great to be part of an active (and helpful) forum 

Jules

Hi guys

I have just rebuilt my 138 motor from ground up, changing all rings, bearings, gaskets etc - however when I fired it up today and got it running by itself (FINALLY!!) the water temperature gets really hot? The water pump seems to be working fine and the radiator has just been re cored and the temp gauge is brand new! 

Any ideas? Or things I can do to diagnose what the problem could be?

Thanks a million!!

Jules

Hi guys

Just wondering what torque the bolts that hold the rocker shaft  should go too?

cheers

jules

Hi guys

HELP!! I am in the process of rebuilding a 138 grey and decided also to fit a new harmonic balancer.  However the neither the old balancer or the new have any timing marks nor does the timing chain cover?  Obviously finding TDC would help to establish the starting point for the alignment of the dizzy... Is it necessary to have timing marks or is tuning it by ear good enough??? Also if I wanted to make timing marks, how would I go about it

Cheers 
Jules

Thanks Wayne
I dont have the gear so Ill get someone else to do it first thing tomorrow!
Appreciate the help thanks

Hi guys.. I'm doing a rebuild on a 138 gray motor in my '59 FC and was unsure about how to replace the small end bushes.  I've ordered new ones but am unsure about how to remove the old ones and the procedure for putting the new ones in! Any help appreciated!
Cheers
Jules

Not running yet as I have had to go back to work (the old girl is 1000km away but keen to get back to it in April during my next set of holidays!! 

Hi if anybody is interested... 

I ordered the wrong rings for my 138 so I'm selling brand new rings details below:

Hastings Piston Rings (2 compression, 1 control)
Full set of six, brand new in box
Suit 138 grey motor .040" overbore
Price $200

Pickup or Postage from Perth (I would assume about 20 bucks)

PM me on here or my mobile 0405 352 374

Cheers

Jules

Thanks for your posts! I have managed to track down some oil rings for a 138 at .080" overbore (or 3 3/16" bore).   

There were two numbers on the engine one on the middle of the block and one near the distributer.
     L232
     J86460

If some one could enlighten me as to what these mean that would be great.     Also does anyone happen to know what the numbers inside the crank housing mean (A23 B21 C23)?

Thanks heaps

Jules

I have just found out that my bore size is 3 3/16" while rebuilding my FC motor.......... now to find some oil rings to fit

fun fun

may have found some answers here (old thread perhaps, are these people still around?)

http://fefcholden.org.au/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=6757.0

It could be possible that it has been bored to 3 3/16" or 80.9 mm - It appears that JP made pistons this size.. maybe they still make oil rings

well this one has one side engine plate and 3 engine mounts, one front and two rear (i know the 186 only has 2 engine mounts) and looks nothing like any other red motor I have seen

I only found out today that there was such a thing as a 138 red motors.. is there any way I can tell (apart from colour of course - it was painted grey  ).  engine numbers perhaps?

cheers

Hi everyone

I'm new to the forum
I have a 1959 FC Special Sedan with a 138 motor.  I've started rebuilding the motor and have pulled everything apart and am in the process of putting everything together with new bearings/rings etc.  I have 40 thous overbore rings how ever it appears that my bore is 80 thous over!? my piston skirt diameter measures 80.8 mm and as far as I'm aware the normal bore size would be 78.88 and with a 40 thous it would bring it up to approx 79.91..

Is 80 thous over 'normal' or am I doing something wrong? Can you get rings this size?

Thanks   

Cheers

Jules