Ruby - my FC Ute

[Roybeth]

Hi all, here's my FC ute. I've got a lot to learn mechanical wise - but lucky for me hubby and friends are well versed in vintage cars. We have been lucky to get a ute with a great body and new paint work, not original colour but she will look good with the chrome all added. Engine work and interior to do.







Helen

[DJ]

That's a great start. Look forward to progress photos.

[mcl1959]

Looks like a really good ute. Do you have a pic of the ID plate. I collect the data for research.

Regards Ken

[VAN059]

Great starting point Roybeth, and extra bonus that it's a FC as well  ;D :D

[Roybeth]

Looks like a really good ute. Do you have a pic of the ID plate. I collect the data for research.

Regards Ken

Hi Ken

Sure do.

[Stash]

great starting canvas.

[Roybeth]

Baffle and grill out ready to start working on the front end and getting an engine in a bit easier.

Nice shiny new radiator arrived today, just sitting in, looks like it may be a good fit. Old one is apparently a bit past it and this one is a little thicker. May have to get a thermofan - depending on how much room we actually end up with

[fcute]

Very nice ute. What is the plan for he engine?

Cheers Dave

[Roybeth]

We have a couple to chose from - but are going with the reconditioned grey that came with the car. We understand its been bench started but hasn't been run in a car. The front end is set up with the front mounts so if I decide I bigger engine would be preferred we can just swap them over.

May have been different story if was to be a daily driver or long distance but only intending to club rego her and go to nearby shows / day trips....

[Roybeth]

Old front end is now down and out.



Plans changed slightly. we have striped the front end we were going to use as not everything was quite lined up right, those engine mounts are rougher than we thought and one of the wishbones is also out of wack, so using the good bits to complete another front end that is in much better shape and another set of wishbones. Fingers crossed for the second one

[Roybeth]

Ute came with an inlet manifold for Nikki carbies, not doing that, my clever hubby found a lovely couple who were happy to swap it for a manifold complete with twin carbies and the linkage to boot :-) will need to put a kit through the carbies but can't complain about this swap.



Gent who took it didn't have a use for it - yet -lol,  but had never seen one before and was very happy also.

[njf690]

can you tell me a bit about the new radiator you are using . i.e brand ,size, contact ,price .  looks good

[Roybeth]

can you tell me a bit about the new radiator you are using . i.e brand ,size, contact ,price .  looks good

Hi, you can get them through Ebay. Its a 3 core so its a little thicker but same width as the original one - designed to bit in an FC.

We are putting original recon grey back in. The radiator is aluminium so will have to put I think an organic coolant in it so there's no reaction between the two - I think that's how it goes but will be checking with our mate who knows the ins and outs about this.

[Roybeth]

What's that dear - you want to work on car parts in the lounge room!- oh its the front end for MY ute - no worries dear, keep warm in front of the fire and I'll watch Origin with you and supervise those wishbones going back on- lol lol  :D

[camxsmith]

Love it ..  I seem to be able to get away with a lot more when its something for the wife.    ;D  Keep up the photos and the great work

[VAN059]

Can't be working in a cold damp shed, need to be toastie in front of a fire  ;D

[Roybeth]

A few touch ups for the engine bay.



While the wheels are off, a clean, rust converting and painting for the wheel wells and to be continued under the rest of the ute.





[I
MG]http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj618/Roybeth1/FC%20Ute/DSCN6472.jpg[/IMG]

[camxsmith]

Looks good ..  what brand of rust conversion and paint are you using???

[Roybeth]

She's no show pony, though should scrub up well.
Just using Septone that you get from Supercheap Auto.

[Roybeth]

Not sure if its obvious in the pic above, there's a crack in Ruby's extractors, just past where they join into the one pipe. Have decided to repair it but will use it on another car and get some new ones for Ruby. So tonight we have cut it off  :(