FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi all, thought I'd better post something substantial after all the help (and laughs) I've had from other posts. I have an FC Standard Sedan, purchased 18 years ago, and stored for 13 of that. I've had it in my current garage for 5 years, and that's gone so quick it hasn't been funny. Hopefully things will speed up now. I bought it from a friend when he needed to sell off all his assets in a hurry. He'd bought it as a modified vehicle 12 months prior and not touched it. It's been very badly modified but not to the point of being beyond help. It had a 186, Trimatic, HR front, EH column and EH rear. I've swapped the EH for an HR rear end and will be putting in an Aussie 4 speed, along with mod cons such as air, power windows and central locking. I suspect it's been pranged front left corner as it had FE guards and grille and the firewall is pretty badly split in quite a few spots. I had it for 15 years before I checked closely enough to see it's really an FC. It'll be getting put back to FC metal and grille, but at least I've had a foot in both camps :) Body will be kept stock, with white steel wheels and no hubcaps for an old stocky look.
I thought I'd show some pics of the wiper setup (poached with many thanks to Brett). I wanted a clean look without the baseplate but didn't want to modify the firewall. I found a section of 12mm polyethylene chopping board did the job. No doubt someone with a waterjet cutter could knock up something pretty similar and much neater. (Yeah, FCRB26, you'll be hearing from me for some future jobs!) Wires feed through the firewall behind the motor. I used the original Commodore arm, but welded the end of the EK arm to it and changed the angle of attack to clear the firewall. Sweep and synchronisation are perfect. Will be interesting to see how they go with a strong airflow over them but at least in the garage they're spot on. The original oval opening will be filled and just the mounting , central shaft and wiring openings will be left. Although I can only just flex the firewall if I try hard, I'll still be putting a bracing plate behind to compensate for the relatively small fixing area. The last shot is looking straight up the firewall to show the clearance achieved by using the mounting block.
Many thanks to all who post such great info, and to RET for the info on posting photos. Hope I got it right. Regards, Martyn.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/FC%20Post%201/Picture191_zps38fd9279.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/FC%20Post%201/Picture001_zps9072847c.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/FC%20Post%201/P1040309_zpse24785a3.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/FC%20Post%201/P1040318_zps6a28e17e.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/FC%20Post%201/P1040310_zps2362a5b9.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/FC%20Post%201/P1040315_zps617a28db.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/FC%20Post%201/P1040314_zps142338a7.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/FC%20Post%201/P1040312_zps4e0a248a.jpg)[/URL]

Hope the motor is not noisy against the fire wall...

Hi NES304, good point. The photo doesn't show it well but there's a gap between the round housing and the firewall. In addition I'll be putting a rubber gasket betweem the mounting block and the firewall. Even now without that and without any firewall insulation it's pretty quiet.

PS The bog on the firewall is not my doing!

Hi all, thought I'd add a bit more info and show some of the issues I've discovered with this car.
First off, plate details:
This one is:
Body - FC215 3968 S
Trim - 194 640
Paint - 252 2081
Insert -
Top -

I don't believe the subframe is from this car. Stamped 8-9239-9 or S

An FC Special I used to own and took off the road to rebuild was stolen, but I'd removed the firewall plate.
Details are:
Body - FC225 20461 S
Trim - 277 629
Paint - 253 0700
Insert - 256 7770

I think I still have the front subframe in storage and will provide the number later if I do.

A bit more on my wiper setup first:
Modified wiper motor arm, incorporating the Commodore mounting base and the end of an EK arm. Not finished off yet as I did enough of a weld that it wouldn't break in testing but not so solid it'd be a prob to cut and bend if required.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/P1040332_zps2857f16a.jpg)
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/P1040330_zps35ebd77c.jpg)

Wiper setup with different bolts and washers and a rubber insulating gasket between the mounting plate and the firewall.
 (http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/P1040490_zps7e168172.jpg)

The bolts I'm now using, being longer and having a smaller head, which will allow better clearance once I put a stiffening plate inside the firewall. They're also longer to compensate for the thickness of the mounting block. Shown with the original.
s(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/P1040489_zpsa23d8d2c.jpg)

This is a better shot up the firewall showing the clearance with the mounting block.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/P1040487_zps76251254.jpg)

Now for some of the interesting things I've discovered.

Don't think these were a Nasco accessory. Would like to know how they got in the car.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/P1040476_zps301d5e7a.jpg)

Couldn't work out why the left outer subframe leg was springing back towards the centre of the car when I undid it. It was thanks to a poor rust repair that pretty well eliminated the taper at end of the inner sill, so the subframe leg was pulled outwards to compensate. Fortunately this is the only rust in the car (that I know of).
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/P1030452_zps09b3ca75.jpg)


The mess that's been made of the transmission tunnel and the original mounting points for the member that went under the gearbox.(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/DSCN4104_zps0452c7e5.jpg)

Removing the radiator was harder than it needed to be. The supports were mounted in front of the radiator support panel, so it couldn't just be undone and lifted out without removing the bonnet lock support plate. The radiator support panels were also butchered to make it fit.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/R0028901_zpsa9c59f32.jpg)

Tail light wiring.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/FC050307006_zps4da57abd.jpg)

Number plate light wiring.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/FC050307007_zpsa73c2979.jpg)

Showstopper - Headlight wiring.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%203/R0021877_zps7bc2f6a3.jpg)

Over and out till next time,
Martyn

Martyn

Great update.
Wiring looks af treat.
With the wiper motor mount I made a base plate and block, similar to the one in the photo.
I made it out if steel and spot welded both together and mounted it as per the original setup.
No flex problems at all.
Each build has its own hidden gems.
Keep up the good work and keep them updates coming

Cheers
Craig D

Thanks for the kind feedback Craig.
I picked up a rotisserie last week so will start soon on the front inner sill, trans tunnel and will also replace both outer members under the front floor where they meet the sills. Not for rust reasons, but they've been badly bashed over the years, mostly I guess from being dropped on the top of small bottle jacks. The spare wheel well had also been cut out and a flat plate welded in. I'm considering putting the original back in. It came with the car. It was rust free so don't really know why it was removed other than for appearance. Will also weld up the two holes in each pillar that had been drilled to fit seat belts and will fit plates with nuts. Already had engineer check and provide minimum plate dimensions. It might seem funny having started with the wipers but I wanted to sort them before the glass came out, and because of all the jobs I have to do, it was the one that I had the most worries about, wondering how well I could get them sweeping and working together. As it turned out, they're great. Again, many thanks to Brett for the idea and  the tip on the brand of switch to get. Will post some pics of other cars I've built in the Members' Cars thread. Will show an FJ ute, FC Special sedan and FE ute. Martyn out.

That's how I'm doing my wiring  :P

Not much of an update but the subframe is now off and all items have been removed from the firewall. I can now appreciate how rough it is. Can't wait to get stuck in and fix it!

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%204/Firewall3_zps3743c3c5.jpg)
Bit of massaging required.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%204/Firewall2_zpsc9103480.jpg)
Quite a bit of filler next to the handbrake, not promising.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%204/Firewall1_zps2d3b3996.jpg)
Few repairs needed here too.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%204/Handbrake_zps8723f650.jpg)
Handbrake as it came out of the car. Looks like someone had the idea for Brett's hazard light location at least 14 years ago  :)

What are the subframe legs like? Did the last guy have the subframe off or is it original fitment.

The hole in the handbrake may have been for a kill switch. No hazard lights in the early days. Keep up the good work. 
Brett

Hi Deano,
The subframe isn't original. It's in great condition and the legs are fine. None of the front sheet metal is original either. I believe it's had an almighty front end prang at some stage. Some of the splits in the horizontal firewall seam I believe are from the motor hitting. The only issue with the replacement subframe is that the radiator support panels have been cut about to fit a larger radiator, but I have spares that I can graft in depending on what size radiator I fit. The replacement subframe was put in with bolts that are well undersize so I now have slightly out of round holes on the body mounts.

Brett, that's not a bad location for a kill switch so I'd say your guess would be right.  :)
Martyn

Hey there, I am on the coast a bit, we will have to catch up soon, Dave. PS good to see more projects.

Looks like those panel beating hammers are going to get a good workout Martyn ;).
   Pedro

Hi all, a bit of an update. I'm going to put the car on a rotisserie but the firewall needs some work first. Today I finished making a trolley that gives me good access around the firewall and also allows me to wheel the car out of the way for more garage space.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%205/Dollyfront_zps118543b0.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%205/Dollyrear_zps324cfd70.jpg)

Very clever.

Regards

Wayne b

U could almost adapt that for when u put the subframe back.

I hadn't thought that far ahead, but that's a great idea. I'll do it.  :)

Make a little swivel and a flat piece to mount a jack and make up scizzor arms 

Hi mate, thanks for the comments but I can't quite picture what you're suggesting. The castors are all swivel castors. One on each end has a brake. I'd try to keep the design as simple as possible. Maybe a cradle for the channel that runs under the footwells out to the inner sills. Make it right and it wouldn't even need to bolt on. The sub-floor channel would just sit down into it and stay in place. This would also put the load closer to the ends of the main bar running across under the car.

Looking good. You don't seem to be short on garage space though.
Regards
Alex

You have enough room for another one  :-X hey sorry I expected you to read my mind before, I was talking about the k frame subframe. If u wanted to trial fit it without the front end attached because you were talking about the work u had to do to the firewall and such. But now your talking roitsserie so probably not as relevant. When I say front end attached I'm talking about front wheels and suspension.

Ah, gotcha! ;D Yeah, I will need to do a couple of trial fits. Luckily I've got an old subframe that's all rusted out, but the left hand inner guard is Ok so I reckon I can do a one person lift and fix to test the fit. The left side of the firewall is the side that's bent so that was a bit of luck.
Yeah, I'm lucky to have some good space in the garage. I can fit 4 easily so yep, there's room for one more! I'm also lucky to have a shed not far away where I can store loose panels and parts until they're needed.
Garage hint for more space: Create a drop down work bench that you can leave down most of the time then swing up when needed. Will post a pic later.  Regards, Martyn

I just built a new house and waiting to get the shed built and permits etc. Its taken ages, so I have been storing parts in my kart trailer and in a 10m 2 garden shed, doing work in our lovely new alfresco, much to the delight of the missus. She has a lovely view of cars parts half restored and painted!

So she can see what she's going to be asked to hold or lift!! Good planning! ;D Isn't "pergola" just another name for the carport out the back? :D

 :D :D :D me  >:( >:( >:( her

bahahahahaahha

Hi all, chipping away bit by bit.
The floor looks good. It's had a few holes drilled/punched but no rust. I don't like the look of the section under the scuff plate. Looks like a lot of bog, and the small angled channel section is missing, who knows why, because the rest of the floor isn't rusty. Just a few wires to disconnect and the dash will be out, then the wiper setup, and will then get out the screens and remove the doors. Previous owner welded and ground with the glass in so I'll probably be up for a full set of glass later due to spatter damage.
Note the plates at the bottom of the centre pillar for seat belt mounts. There's more bog than weld holding them on. The engineer is happy for them to stay provided I weld them properly, but I reckon they're ugly and would rather plate inside the pillar.
That transmission hump is for a trimatic. It'll come out and I'll redo a neater one for an Aussie 4 speed. The bench seat will stay.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%206/Fcscuff_zps4db8e612.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%206/FCfloor4_zpsa9c880b3.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%206/FCfloor3_zps1bd5005a.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%206/FCfloor2_zps07a3e87a.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%206/FCfloor1_zps506fee98.jpg)

Why would you oxy off the nuts from one side of the pedal box? And then refit it with nothing to hold that side??
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%206/Pedalbox_zps85ccade3.jpg)

Sorry, forgot this one too.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%206/FCDash_zps73e60431.jpg)

People do all sorts of interesting things hey, maybe they got it from a wrecker who did and then they forgot to bolt it in propertly  ???

Yeah, if only the cars could talk. I'd ask about the shotgun shell and 2 x 22 bullets I found in the glovebox... (See my early post with photos).

Maybe those holes weren't oxy  :D :D :D

 :D
Might explain a few of the holes in the floor too!

If cars could talk
Friend of mine once purchased a federal Police car wrecked, he removed the passenger seat to find a velcroe section under it with a full gun magazine still in it. A quick phone call and it was removed along with a big apology  :o
Lucky his kids didn't get in it.

Great to meet you today Martyn. Nothing like chatting cars etc. Hope to see your car soon a swap more stories & maybe some parts. Regards, Dave ;)

Hi Dave, yep it was great to meet and have a chat. Thanks for taking the time to show me your wagon. It's good to see a real stockie being kept original. Looks like we might be neck and neck on our builds after your upcoming 2 month break! Regards, Martyn

Hi all, thought it was about time for an update. The body is just a shell now. I've found more rust and body issues than I'd expected (who doesn't?) but comparing it to some other cars I've seen built on the forum I'm still very fortunate to have such a good starting point. I've put the dollies and hammer to good use and got the sections where the subframe mounts to the firewall looking pretty good. Will post photos of that later. Part of the firewall is so badly dinged and split I'll fabricate a new section. I'm now making up brackets to put the car on the rotisserie and I'll treat myself to some nice stand-up flat welding positions as opposed to on my back under the car like I had to on my last build. I picked up a good Aussie 4 speed (I know some would say there's no such thing :)) plus shifter and and A/C bracket for a 6 cylinder last week.

I love having room to work. This is before the body was fully stripped.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%207/P1040907_zpse65a1c3b.jpg)

This is what happens when you try hanging a trimatic from the floor...

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%207/P1040967_zps6000bc63.jpg)

The latest way to fit demister vents.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%207/P1040945_zps7b715118.jpg)

The doors are pristine (at least until I strip the outside)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%207/P1040960_zpsf0680b65.jpg)

Spotless cowl vent. Pity the body around it isn't quite so good. See the next few pics.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%207/P1040942_zps3513a4f9.jpg)

Rust plus evidence of a previous repair. I'm fitting A/C so I may weld up the vent.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%207/P1040947_zps24263f64.jpg)

It just keeps getting better.

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%207/P1040958_zps2cb13d0b.jpg)

And better...

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%207/P1040957_zpsa0533f52.jpg)

Sometimes its better to be able to see daylight through large holes than bog  :P  :'(. Make sure you wear a mask getting rid of it cos U don't really know what was used on there ey  ;)

Looks like you're going down the same path as the rest of us Martyn, you start off thinking i'll just give the old girl a bit of a going over and fix a few problems then you notice a bit of rust and think i'd better fix that while i'm at it then you find a few more problems and next thing you know the car is in a million bits and you're doing a full rebuild.
   Pedro

I'm hearing you pedro. With most stuff it will only have to be done once.  Do it properly the first time.  I understand not everyone has the funds/time/space for it. I went from brake shoes to a bare shell.

Hi Pedro and Dave. I hadn't looked at it like that but you're both spot on. I was just going to straighten the poorly fitted motor and go for a respray, now I'm in way deeper than I'd planned. This one was going to be a quick profit on the way to a tidy wagon with a V8 (Sorry Pete, I've got a red motor in this project and going to a V8 in the next. Someone has to use the motors you won't touch! :)) Plus I keep getting new ideas. Went to Motorex and walked away with some good (read $$$) ideas. Shoulda stayed chatting to you Dave, woulda been cheaper!  Regards, Martyn

I have a RED stashed just in case one day i lose the plot and fit it to something. ;D

If you need cowl vent section i have 3 bitsa cars here i can meticulously hack out of one for ya.

Pete

Much appreciated Pete, I just might take you up on that. I already have a lead on one that might be suitable but if not, then I'll definitely get back to you. I'd like to get you to do an alloy version of my wiper motor block at some stage too if you have time. Regards and thanks, Martyn

Yeah I would like an alloy block too using a vk motor, but I think somehow so I can french it in a bit and recess it to suit the Small block chev. Whateva you think  :D Make 2 then put two on ebay  :D

Im fiddling with a few small jap ones ill see how i go.

Hi all, it's been a while since my last post.
Had too many characters in this rant, so I'll put up another with the text that was going in this one.
Regards, Martyn

The mount for the rotisserie. It seems a common practice to use the bonnet hinge mounting points but I only wanted to use points that didn't have nuts fixed to the body. That way I could use free nuts and bolts and not worry about stripping something that was hard-mounted to the car. Plus, I figured the subframe mounting points would probably be stronger and there was a split in the firewall adjacent to one of the bonnet mounting points.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050897_zps7bd232c3.jpg)

The vertical section is checked into the section that fits in the channel.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050900_zps03ca9e25.jpg)

This area straightened up nicely with a bit of panel beating. See a previous post with a photo of the accident damage.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050902_zpsce04250b.jpg)

As luck would have it, went to mount the rear rotisserie bracket, and a nut was loose inside the rail. There had been a bad rust repair in this section anyway so I took out the repaired section to get access.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050893_zps4d2c172f.jpg)

This was on the inside of the section I removed.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050892_zps8ce2d413.jpg)


(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050934_zpse71cacf0.jpg)

 (http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050935_zps876019ae.jpg)

The blue bar is a brace until the firewall and new floor sections have been put in place. I cut the top off the trolley that you can see in the first photo, leaving the bar between the subframe mounts.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050937_zpsc91de8e5.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050938_zps373bde19.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050939_zps4ce4165b.jpg)

This had been hammered flat and a plate welded over the top, meaning the outer subframe leg was pulled out of alignment.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1050944_zps2470a1d1.jpg)

Looks a bit better after a cleanup.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1060122_zps1c5d386e.jpg)

Just ground out the bad bit until l I had good metal. I could feel behind it that there was no corrosion on the back.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1060123_zpsf098d0ff.jpg)

The tool I developed for sucking crap out of sills. Much easier when there's a big rust hole to work through!
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1060125_zps08e08395.jpg)

And now repaired. First job on the car completed!
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1060797_zps1ddf1d0f.jpg)

My new best mate. So good for working in tight and confined spaces.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%208/P1060798_zps5551d536.jpg)

This is what would have been in the previous post: :)
Hi all, it's been a while since my last post. I haven't been idle but have been pretty busy with work and other things. The car is now on the rotisserie. I'm glad to have such easy access to all parts, but I'm not impressed with the design and functionality of the rotisserie. I can show why in another post if anyone's interested. Most of what I have to fix is not rust, but poor previous repairs. Underneath the car is in excellent condition rust-wise, so I'm thankful I don't have too much to do there. I'll be restoring the spare wheel well that was removed, and fixing up a couple of rust repairs to the rear end that are a bit hard on the eye. Pete, you mentioned you might have a cowl for sale. I'd like to take you up on that if you still have one. After grinding the bog out of the firewall it's not beyond repair, but it's a much easier option to put in another one. Thanks to FC Dave I have one. I've started to tackle the rust in the left inner sill at the junction with the outer sub-frame arm. It had been repaired badly and was quite rusty. All of the work I've done on the car over the last couple of years has been to strip it and find more problems. Happy to say last night I actually put something back on the car with a small rust repair. It was a bit hard to reach inside the inner sill but I didn't want to cut away any more than I had to. The die grinder my neighbour lent me has been quite handy. I've also scored an Aussie 4 speed with shifter and A/C bracket for a red motor, so I'm starting to get a store of bits that will be used later.
Next job: Finish repairing the corner shown in this post and put new outer channels and replacement tunnel section in, then tackle putting in the replacement firewall.
Regards, Martyn

Martyn

Thanks for the update.

All progress is good progress.  ;D ;D

R

Craig D

Glad some bits went to a good use.

Hi all, a bit more progress with another small rust repair on the LHS. There are a couple of little holes here and there to do but they're small enough that a spot-fill of weld will sort them. Regards, Martyn

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%209/P1060805_zpsefff2725.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%209/P1060808_zps4e943039.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%209/P1060815_zps9442b2e3.jpg)

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Forum%20Post%209/P1060820_zps5e6f55f2.jpg)

Just done a small rust hole on the front outer ps sill on my old van its the first rust to appear in the more than 25 years that I've owned it . It had 26k original miles when I bought it . Any way I would guess that lots of the rust found at the front of the sills in these old cars can be put down to quick refits of front guards . The hard to get to top bolt , up near the windshield corner, and I'm sure there was rubber that was between the guard and the pillar . Was it part of the original door rubber , its been a long time since I've pulled an originally fitted front guard off ? Just looking at your photos and it got me thinking . Its very important to seal around these bolt holes .Cheers Haydn     

looking good so far, what are you going to do with the boot floor? looks funny without the spare wheel carrier. I saw on one of the other posts that an early chev tub will fit!!!, also Slim had a complete rear floor for sale a while ago on ebay, may be worth a look.
Regards Jim

Hi Haydn,
Yep, there was a separate rubber from memory that was a high thin rubber with a round section that went around the screw that fixed it. Hard to describe but I'll certainly separate the guard and the body when the time comes.
Jim, I was lucky the previous owner did a very neat job of taking out the spare wheel well and it came with the car so it's going back in. I'd like to have been a fly on the wall when they had the small fire next to the fuel tank from welding rust repairs above. That'll get tidied up too.

Year, I'm sure water runs in there and down the pillar if left without something to replace that rubber . Haydn

I bought a set of mudguard bolts from a bloke on evilbay called earlybits. He supplied a rubber grommet type seal with the bolt.

Progress is progress.

Hi Martyn;
The FC ute I picked up recently (now nick named Rusty) has the rubber between the guard and the body I hadn't noticed it before until I saw your comment.

I cannot find a chassis number on Rusty and the engine is a later engine so I had assumed the front had been changed maybe the rubbers were put back in or the whole front end has not been off.

Regards
Neil H

Hi Rusty. I think my rubbers are still stuck to the guards. They're in storage so I'll have to check next time I'm at my parts shed. Cut open a pushbike tube and I think a narrow section would make a pretty good substitute. I'll be putting some on the top of the subframe where the guard screws down too.  Regards, Martyn

Wow, nearly a year since the last post. And about the same time since working on the car too. Have been too busy on the Fargo (see the posts in other vehicles under construction). Pete, did you still have a good cowl section available? I'd like to keep the vent in mine, even though it's gonna get A/C.

Regards,

Martyn

Hey crumpsnr I am going to remove mine from the fe to make it smooth, and the whole lot is in perfect condition not a speck of rust cheers frankiej

Great news!
PM sent.

And yet another year between posts. Have spent more time on the trucks than the FC. I'll be replacing the FC firewall and front cowl soon. The current firewall is well outa shape. Have had no end of trouble matching the subframe back to the car. Soon I'll start to fit up up a replacement inner LHS sill section. Once that job starts I'll put up pics. Have also been collecting little bits and pieces to help finish it off. Pretty well sorted for parts now. Soon I'll start to sell off some of my spares too, to make space. These days with the interweb it's easier to track down parts than it used to be, so I don't think I have to stock up on bits for use in an accident I might not have in a car that's not on the road yet! Will try not to leave it another year before having something to show. It feels like I haven't been a forum member long, but I'm now starting to see cars finished that were started whilst i was a member. Gotta put the pedal down and get some action on mine! Gotta say, the quality of work I see on other cars on this forum is nothing short of amazing., There are some talented people out there. Regards, Martyn

Thought I'd put up a shot of the FC at the moment with the little Fargo as well. Still playing around with the subframe.


(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/Fargo%20and%20FC_zpsp1gs5pxn.jpg)

Brought this back from out West the other weekend.
It's a long way beyond saving but has a few bits I can use for mine, including a good left hand inner sill.
Got away with it by telling the boss at home that I bought a share in yet another car, and I bought a pub on impulse. Then said "Nah, I just bought the car".  :D

(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/thumb_20151024_140101_1024_zpsneculrxo.jpg)

I can understand the seller letting it go. They don't need cars to get around town.

Does it have any ID plate and chassis number details you can pass on?  ;D

Ken

Hi Ken,

I think FCDave might have passed them on to you already. I'll check and let you know.
Regards, Martyn

Not yet Ken. Non survivor, had fertilizer or something in the boot. In the process of dismantling as my landlord only has a small amount of patience for "junk". He has no concept of the term rusty gold. Engine number wont match as it is an early FE block.

 

Bit of fun getting it on the trailer. One hub missing, so we had to skid it up on the bootlid & 3 wheels.

An old bootlid that was buggered!!  :D

Hi all,

Long time no post! I broke my promise that I wouldn't leave it too long between posts.
It's been an interesting 9 months. Have gone through a lot of change at work but I've still got a job where many missed out, so thinking myself very lucky.
Have also been busy playing with the trucks too. Will put up posts on their own threads later.
Finally made some visible progress on the FC recently, with the inner and outer sill now sorted. This was helped by a big-arse sheet metal folder I bought cheap. Will post pics of it later.
I'm about to drop the car off the rotisserie and on the wheels for a while so I can set up motor and gearbox, plus bolt a few parts back on temporarily to give me some space.
I'm going to extend my garage under the house to give me a massive garage (should fit 10 cars) plus a good size man cave. I've been told by 'er upstairs that whatever I save by going under budget can buy me the FC wagon I've always wanted. Happy days!
Went from this: The outer sill repair was a previous owner repair. It's not too bad so I'll leave it as is.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/P1130656_zpstoinguu4.jpg)
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/P1130688_zpsg7tjwnek.jpg)

To this: I used cold gal (still drying in the photos) until I get around to detailing it.
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/P1130740_zpsgahlulkn.jpg)
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a628/Crumpsnr/P1130738_zps9c4cspv3.jpg)

Pete M,

Engine mounts arrived. Thanks very much, better than the originals! No rush on the inner boot section, going in for shoulder surgery next week so will be off the tools for some time.
While I'm out of action I'll be pushing to get the garage extension under way.

Regards,

Martyn

Good luck with that operation mate . Take your time with recovery and remember there is no shame in having time to consider things . Cheers Haydn

Hi all, op's over, shoulder's good.
The sedan is being used temporarily as a parts car for the wagon (see my other post) just to get it on the road but plans haven't changed.
I do have one change as the rules have caught up with me which is to do a collapsible column.
I pinched the front subframe for the wagon, but will fix up the wagon subframe over time and use it on the sedan.
Once I can sort out a Flickr account I'll start posting and re-posting my old Photobucket pics.