Thanks Vern. That’s great 😃

I’ll second that RET. Thanks Rob. That’s so helpful. Appreciate the time you put in to give that advice.
I’m away for a few weeks but will get onto it when I’m home again. Will update this post when I solve it.
Cheers, Ken 

Hello again everyone. Well the plot thickens and the hits just keep on coming.
Took the FE in for a rego check today. Passed with the usual flying colours!
Longish drive though.... 1.5 hours. Some of it in heavy traffic. Gear stick getting stiffer as I use it in the stop/start conditions. Now noticing that when coasting in 2nd gear and suddenly touching the accelerator (not hard) that I am getting a loud clunking sound & a decent thud coming up through the steering column. Does not appear to do it when in top gear.
Any suggestions please??? Cheers, Ken 

Many thanks Vern. That’s great. Am an ex fitter/machinist so I can fabricate metal okay. Would really appreciate the design details when you have time. No hurry as I’m away for 3 weeks. While I’m at it I might also reco the steering wheel. It has some decent cracks in it.
Cheers and thanks again. 

Thanks Rob 

I've done a little more observation Rob. The honeypot is definitely rubbing on the left hand side of the collar when moving the lever down to engage 1st gear or reverse. On the indicator side there's plenty of clearance. So if I am understanding you correctly, this will involve removing the wheel in order to "move the indicator switch out of the way"  

Thanks again Rob. I’m going to try your first suggestion of disconnecting the linkages and lubricating. The squeaking sound appears to be when I am actually pulling the gear stick down to engage first or up for reverse rather than when pulling it straight back. It sounds like the part I think you’re calling the honeypot rubs against the collar that houses the indicator lever. And today it was okay  Baffling.
Cheers, Ken

Thanks for the detailed reply Rob. I’ll try disconnecting the linkages and using WD 40 as you suggested. The gear lever is only stiff and squeaks when pulling it back towards the wheel. Looking at the FE workshop manual on p.207, figure 7-14, there is a bearing listed as part number 40 (support-gearshift control lever bearing). Could this also be a possible culprit?
Cheers, Ken

Hello everyone. Gear lever in the FE is getting stiff when pulling it back towards the steering wheel to engage 1st and reverse. It has also developed a squeaking sound when performing this operation. No problem going up and down into second and top gear. I’ve looked at the workshop manual but am not much wiser. My first impression after reading it is that the wheel has to be removed to get at the bearing? Is there any simple way to lubricate in order to free up?
Cheers, Ken

Thanks so much. I’ll take you up on the offer re the spring. PM sent.
Cheers, Ken

Hi everyone. While opening the driver’s door to exit the FE I heard a “twang” from inside the door. I now find that the interior handle does not spring back into the horizontal position but instead remains in the vertical open position. Before I begin removing handles and door trim it would be nice to know what I might be looking for.
Cheers, Ken 

Thanks Vern. I’ll definitely put it up on the hoist and check all that. I had the leaf springs on my FJ sedan reset years ago by Ram Springs in Thomastown, VIC but it appears he’s no longer in business. 

Hello all. Noticed lately that the FE is sagging a little at the rear on the left hand side. One of the few things I left alone when rebuilding the mechanicals included the front and rear springs. I know leaf springs can be reset but I would appreciate any thoughts or advice as to the best way forward. Is reset the best option? Should I bite the bullet and replace both front and rear? It has helper springs. Does this complicate things? And can anyone suggest a good shop to undertake the work? I’d prefer not to tackle this myself if I can avoid it. I’m in the Hunter Valley NSW but happy to travel if I have to. Thanks in advance.
Ken

Hello Alan. Good luck with the sale. You might like to check the date of manufacture. FC was not released until May 1958.
Cheers, Ken 

Just letting people know Bendigo 2022 has been cancelled
Cheers, Ken

Definitely worth a try Rob. Nothing to lose!! 

Thanks so much for the detailed reply Vern. I think you’ve answered my query. The old plates were last registered to the previous owner not my friend. So it’s not looking too hopeful. However, if it was me, I’d be walking in to Services NSW  playing dumb and not disclosing knowledge of the whereabouts of the original plates. Perhaps he could ask for special consideration. Anyway, thanks again to you and Rob. I’ll post if he has any success.
Cheers, Ken

Thanks for the reply Rob. Much appreciated. Here’s our dilemma though. When we open the NSW Services app on the mobile phone and tap “registrations” then tap “check plate” the number is still linked to the VW. Albeit as showing having lapsed in 2010. We then went to myPlates.com to order new plates and chose the same number, but it comes up as “This combination is unavailable”. With this in mind do you still suggest going in to a local Services NSW office to apply? As you say, he could play dumb and not tell them he has the originals. Could it be that because these plates were never handed back in 2010 they are deemed “unavailable”?
Cheers, Ken

Hi everyone. Am posting for a friend who has a very original 1967 VW beetle survivor. Not sure if anyone can help with this but I’ll give it a go. Registration lapsed in 2010 and the car was covered and stored along with its original NSW number plates. In 2018 the old plates were removed and kept by the then owner and the car was re registered and assigned new number plates. Today using the NSW SERVICES app, we did a plate check and found that the original rego number is still linked to the veedub, although noted as having expired in 2010. Question: is there any way he can apply to Services NSW to have the car registered with its original plates? He is reluctant to show his hand in case they demand the plates back. Better to have them as a keepsake than not at all. Thanks for any ideas.
Cheers, Ken

Before joining the club in 2002 I thought I knew a fair bit about early Holdens and the venerable grey motor. How wrong I was. This forum has been such a tremendous help in gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to keep my FE (and FJ) well maintained and on the road. Well done to RET, the committee and everyone involved. Long may it continue.