Title: FC253 Wagon Post by: Gordon on March 13, 2013, 01:04:00 PM I thought its time to start a post of my wagon under construction ( or distruction) plan is 253 auto,commo diff, rear mounted steering, column shift ,bench seat. Have gathered most parts need front stub axles to fit hr front end with vr commo brakes and other things along the way drive shaft etc, This will be a slow project due to time and money but most seem to be that way
Gordon (http://i.imgur.com/VtIWlsb.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/2jifjxe.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/FDU7Ikq.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/Re9yb5S.jpg) Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: FireKraka on March 14, 2013, 01:14:38 PM Hi Gordon
Looks like you have a good car to start the build with. I think the point is to just stick with it, things do take time if you are on a budget you sound like me I have had my FC for 16 years and it feels that most of that time I have been trying to finish it. Don't be afraid to ask advice either the guys on here are really helpful. Good luck and keep the pictures coming. Regards Neil Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: Gordon on May 04, 2013, 09:14:32 PM Hi a bit of an update on my wagon, but first a few photos of the first wagon i bought with the intention of rebuilding but to much work so stripped for parts
(http://i.imgur.com/MqkvHJA.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/IPfZSBq.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/tiiBTCQ.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/T9xMDsk.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/Eo45Jho.jpg) You will notice the small hole in the roof as it was used as a pig shooter, and the spare replacement roof And the update on my wagon almost ready to be stripped,blasted (http://i.imgur.com/DSTO9Ox.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/GTgi6no.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/MFYyi6g.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/VZAsreH.jpg) Commodore diff ready to be shortened (http://i.imgur.com/8nh1RPO.jpg) Subframe and HR frontend ready to be blasted (http://i.imgur.com/dl7g4GI.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/Y05pCwJ.jpg) Finally the motor im using (http://i.imgur.com/LGWAyi1.jpg) Thats it for now Gordon Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: NES304 on May 04, 2013, 09:43:39 PM 253?
Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: FCV08 on May 04, 2013, 10:00:01 PM Gordon
Thanks for the update. Keep the photos coming Cheers Craig D Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: Gordon on May 04, 2013, 10:07:56 PM Yeah 253 out of HJ ute Just looking for that "OLD SCHOOL" look, V8 Carby big crome airfilter but Pete suggested VN commodore V8 injection on it, so im looking in to that also
Gordon Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: FCV08 on May 04, 2013, 10:09:19 PM Go injection hey NES ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: NES304 on May 05, 2013, 09:00:23 AM Go injection hey NES ;D ;D ;D FOR SURE!!!! ;) Won't be stuffing around with valve stem seals or leaded additives plus a SH!T load more power, especially after I get into the computer and change it ;D Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: brett_f on May 05, 2013, 02:11:42 PM Gordon,
Looks a pretty clean car to start with. As the previous boys said, cant beat injection. Turn key, starts and idles. No constant issues with tuning and in my opinion, looks cleaner under the bonnet. However, as you will see in previous posts wiring can sometimes be a headache. As all the boys know i had issues with engineers. Have you spoken to one yet. If so good but if not you need to. If you dont get the answer you want try another couple as they are all on different pages. Keep up the good work. brett Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: Gordon on May 05, 2013, 08:58:53 PM Hi thanks all ,was speaking to a engineer but he is no longer getting involved in cars because of all the law changes, so im looking for another if anyone knows of a good one in the sydney area please pm me
Will have a look into fuel injection Gordon Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: fcwrangler on May 05, 2013, 11:18:00 PM Gordon, try Peter L Smith at Camden last I heard he was still going. I've sent you a message as well.
Reagrds Jim Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: pedro on May 06, 2013, 11:37:53 AM G'day Gordon welcome to the forum, good to see another wagon getting rebuilt, looks like the old girl is in pretty good nick for her age.
Pedro Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: Gordon on May 07, 2013, 11:11:45 AM Thanks Pedro I've read and reread you build and cant wait to see it finished,what colours are you painting it, I am still undecided on colour
Gordon Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: Ed on May 07, 2013, 11:20:49 AM Gordon,
Years ago I started a build using a 253 with exactly the same intentions as you. I ended up with injected 308 because the injected heads off a VN with the large valves are too big for the 253. It would work, but probably not as well as some modified 253 heads. then again you could stroke the 253 to 310. Im an injection convert.. the time spent setting it up pays dividends later... I'm actually researching a megasquirt setup for my current project.. although I will make it look like a factory ECU for rego reasons. Cheers Ed Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: hsv-001 on May 07, 2013, 12:15:40 PM As previously mentioned there are plenty of people willing to give you ideas ,so I thought I might also .Carefull consideration should be given to the axle length in mind of rim offset calliper clearance and stud pattern of axles.Also ride height can be set up as the diff housing is saddled for the early springs rather than using lowering blocks or resetting springs....mind you a recoed set of springs is the least of your expenses.I rebuilt a 2 tone green wagon very similar to the photo in 1999 with 192 and 4 speed so these photos bring back great memories.Just thinking about rear seatbelts in a wagon.I had horizontally mounted retractables on the rear wheel arches with stirrups on the back door pillars and my blue tag guy told me he could not pass them because of the lack of room for a back up plate.So if you go down this path and reinforce the mounting with a piece of steal inside the pillar get photos[proof] .Always a good idea to get a tag guy onside at the start of the project and ask first.good luck.
Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: FCRB26 on May 07, 2013, 02:06:05 PM Hi HSV001 im doing the diff the same as this
http://fefcholden.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,22469.40.html Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: pedro on May 07, 2013, 02:36:54 PM Quote Thanks Pedro I've read and reread you build and cant wait to see it finished,what colours are you painting it, I am still undecided on colour No worries Gordon, she's going to be sting red with black in the flash/insert, i had the same problem deciding on colours it took me ages and heaps of photoshopping by other members and mates to decide, i've still got all the pics so if you have any combinations you would like to see let me know and if i've got it i'll post it on here for you, i'll stick a pic up on my post of my paint scheme, i thought i had one on there but i can't find it, as far as your build goes the 253 would be a lot simpler because of no computers and no pollution gear but you can't beat the reliability and power of a modern engine, if i had my choice again i would go with a modern v6 or v8(more likely the eight) they fit so much easier than the rb30. Pedro Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: Gordon on November 01, 2013, 01:55:06 PM A bit of an update, progress is slow, managed to build myself a rotisserie makes the rust repair so much easier.Very little rust in back end,need to replace cowl vent panel, two front floors and trans tunnel, pickup two outer sills from rare spares tomorrow $225 ea i was told and a bit of rust in the firewall recess where the top of subframe bolts on
(http://i.imgur.com/OHZqmUC.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/OwnjMt6.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/HPEjN3B.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/RaJy8Xk.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/7WnlGBq.jpg) That will keep me busy for now Gordon Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: wutevr on November 02, 2013, 12:00:34 PM looking good there Gordon im in Campbelltown too building a sedan
Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: fe350chev on December 04, 2014, 06:30:33 PM How's it going
Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: fc25250 on June 19, 2015, 08:01:37 PM How's it going any more updates ? Title: Re: FC253 Wagon Post by: Gordon on September 02, 2015, 07:06:27 PM Not much progress, been mostly collecting parts, because of the cost of putting a V8 into one of these cars I've put this one on hold for a while until finances and job security improves
Started doing a Budget build on this one (http://i.imgur.com/zQ0bBqD.jpg) Will be a budget build if there is such a thing, everything stock, got all the parts now thanks to Pete (FCRB26) and Jim (Fcwrangler) and Steve (Wutevr) JUST have to cut out rust, clean up and paint Will start another thread soon Gordon |