Hi Harv,
Not sure if anyone has reported back after fitting one of the new head gaskets....

I finally got a chance to fit one to my L Block in my FC Sedan - a notorious overheater 

It regularly ran at 90 - 100 degreesC (using temp gauge at back coolant port on head).

Fitted the gasket with modifications as described and now have a temp gauge that runs at 75-80 degrees (in 25 degree ambient conditions) so definitely a noticeable decrease in temp at the rear cylinders.

Thanks again for your efforts in securing these for these greater Grey Motor community.

Trevor_B
PS. have you been able to do that count?

Rear main seal looks U/S 

Some good info regarding rear mains seals here: Rear main bearing seal for Grey motor

It is important to use a mandrel to set the rear seal in correctly - check out the FE-FC Manual page 191 for the correct service tool 6A6

Even a new seal may leak for a little while until it beds in correctly although a good mechanic in the VIC Club reckons the success rate is often 50/50 

Trevor_B

Hi Nick,
Also remember to put a small amount of grease in the spigot bearing (in the end of the crank shaft). The gearbox input shaft aligning journal needs to rotate freely inside this bearing so some lubrication ensures this. If you don't then the input shaft may bind a bit and continue to rotate the input shaft so making it hard to change gears....

A small amount of grease is also required on the clutch throwout (or thrust) bearing journal.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Hi,
This may interest someone looking for parts or a serious project - located in Keilor Downs VIC:
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/1151584377?utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_ios&utm_medium=social&utm_source=sms

Regards,
Trevor_B

Hi Harv,
Understand the no warranty. Please proceed with my one and the 5 for the VIC Club.
Trevor_B

The Victorian FE FC Holden Car Club is proud to announce our 7th State Titles, to be held in conjunction with the Wangaratta Early Holden Car Club's All GM Day at Apex Park Wangaratta Victoria on Sunday 12th March.

Entries are now open to all FE and FC owners (you do not need to be a Club member to enter). Please use this entry form:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1gftdf6msgi1u0r/FE-FC%20Holden%20Car%20Club%20of%20VIC%20-%20State%20Titles%202017.pdf?dl=0

Entries close on 24th Feb 2017.

Accommodation in Wangaratta is often booked out early for this long weekend so please book early.

Regards,
TrevorB

Hi Tim,
I purchased one of these (can't tell if exactly the same as link now does not work).

It was certainly not  the same as the original radiator and presented significant difficulties in attempting to fit it into an FC.

I first tried it in our ute, due to the extra thickness it had less than 5mm from the fan and the top and bottom tanks fouled. The mounting holes were also out of place.

When I tried it in our sedan there was a little more clearance to the fan but only just enough... Same problem with fouling and mounting brackets. After some subtle modifications I have installed it in the sedan but certainly not happy with the result. Will stay until I can get an original one re-cored.

My advice would be to buy one only as a last resort and be prepared for challenges 

The Ebay vendor was prepared to take it back based on no damage and original packaging which is a bit hard as mine was vacuum plastic packed and of course as soon as you try to slide it into place you touch the fins against the radiator and so it looks damaged.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Hi,
Check out this ebay item:
Ebay Item #282006643168

They are the ones used by the VIC Club.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

So Fred, you and Candy heading off the day before the Nationals then??

We actually have a longer trip than you - first time ever, only 1600km 

We are starting our journey on Friday 11th March, heading to Wangaratta for a start as our other Club, the Early Holden Car Club of Wang, is holding a combined Show & Shine with the Cadillac & LeSalle  Club on Sunday 13th.

Staying in Toowoomaba at the Big 4 in our Camper trailer 

Looking forward to catching up.
Cheers,
Trevor & Chris

Episode 1 introduced the "new" FE at the very end, there were numerous comments about only getting 10 mpg.

It is seen a number of times in episode 2, at the very start then again about mid way then finally at the end.

It will appear regularly during series 4.

There is also a good shot of the blue FC standard wagon which has been a regular in the background, I believe it is owned by someone from the Ballarat early Holden Club.

There is a little more about the car being stolen here: Stolen FE Sedan - looking for a short term replacement

Trevor_B

Hi Keith,
Try this guy, his stuff is always good: Ebay Item #151794859038 $129 + postage.

He knows his Holdens especially HK,T & G

Cheers,
Trevor_B

There's one like that in the Ballarat Club I think, sometimes seen on the Dr Blake Mysteries TV show...
Trevor_B

Hi Steve,
One of our members had a sample at the VIC meeting last month.
We have not yet seen them on a door so can't comment about fit especially as each door is different.
They look a reasonable reproduction although personally I would take some time dressing down some sharp edges if the sample is a guide.
They appear to be pressed in stainless steel so if you could polish them up if you wanted to.

Sam Crupi in Shepparton is making them and I believe they are $250 for a set of 4 - his mobile number is zero 4 zero 8 228 379.
Cheers,
Trevor_B

Good news - the FE has been found:

Hi Trevor,
Our FE has been found!!!!!!!
I am yet to go and see it’s condition but it was found still on our trailer that they stole with it, we have improved our security system now and hired an indoor parking shed near our production office instead of a locked up yard under car covers, so here is hoping all is good with it.
Thank you so much for the overwhelming response to replace our FE for the rest of our filming, the FE/FC Holden community is strong and proud! I have actually ended up finding three options in total through different clubs and Facebook groups, I am beyond shocked considering how rare the colour combination is.
Thank you and I hope you envoy the show, our FE appears from Ep 2 this season (season 4)
Good luck with all future pursuits and I hope you don’t mind if I keep you as a contact for future Holden needs.
Cheers
Kirsten

The VIC Club has received the following request:

Hi,
I am currently the vehicle coordinator of an ABC drama called DR Blake Mysteries and we have been featuring a beautiful beige and brown FE Holden as Dr Blake's new car is series 4. However, this morning we have discovered that it has been stolen from our lock up over the weekend which leaves us high and dry for our vehicle as we were only half way through filming the series.
I was emailing to see if any of your members had a vehicle that matched ours closely so we could possibly hire for a fee to finish off filming the series?
I can forward you some pictures of FE once I hear back from you.
Cheers
Kirsten O'Loughlin

If you have any ideas of where a similar FE might be and think it might help Kirsten out please PM me and I will forward you her contact email address.
Also please keep an eye out for the stolen FE!

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Found the issue.... it was a selector rod adjustment issue as other gears also selecting incorrectly or not at all.

Someone else had installed dodgy selector rods.

Trevor_B

Hi guys,
Rebuilt a grey gearbox recently and when installed reverse gear moves the car forward 

All other gears work correctly.

My guess is that I installed the reverse idler gear backwards (despite Harv's warning in his rebuild guide  ) although I don't know if that is possible.

Any advice/similar experiences appreciated prior to pulling box out.

Cheers
Trevor_B

Hi Rob,
Only advice I can offer is to use "Permatex Ultra Copper RTV Silicone Gasket Maker - Maximum Temperature" or similar on both sides of the gasket when assembling. That way you are assured of a complete seal. Being silicone it is also flexible so allows for heat expansion. Only downside is that you see some of the silicone around the gasket edges.

I usually use the single piece Pro-Torque manifold gasket.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

Hi guys,
If you want more background on the Pertronics install and other related discussions then check out this thread (and some of the other links within that thread).

Grey motor electronic distributor

To see the install check out this link http://www.mbzponton.org/valueadded/maintenance/ignitionpert/ignitionpert.htm - yep, it is on a Mercedes but they use the same dissy.

Couple of things, there is also another manufacturer that sells a similar unit (I think it is by Bosch) that is basically the same. Also, the units really just replace the points/condenser. It does not significantly improve performance. Some people have reported a small increase in power and most agree that their car starts better. Best thing for me is not having to worry about points 
Trevor_B

Hi,
Looks like we will have around 40 entries for our FE FC VIC State Titles on Sunday 3rd May 

If you want to enter then move quickly as entries close Friday 24th April - entry forms available from the link in the above post.

Other early model Holdens welcome and we have an award for best non FE FC Holden.

Cheers,
Trevor_B