FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi,

When I was 16 and living in Perth, I bought my very first car. It was an FC sedan, stock body and 2 tone green paint, it had a 149 red motor and Opel 4 speed. I paid it off at $100 per week, which was my entire pay, for 10 weeks. My sister drove it home and the good old Opel crapped itself on the drive. Long story short, it never got back on the road, and I didn't even have my licence yet. I sold that and bought an FC van a few months later, which my sister drove for a bit. I ended up trading that for a monza red FC sedan with chromies, 3 on the floor and a 161 red motor. I drove that car for several years once I got my P's. I was mid resto on it when I joined the Navy and moved away, leaving it at my mums house. She up and sold it on me for $600, the sale included a $3.5k race motor. I was miffed to say the least and I never quite got over it.

25 years on, I now live in Newcastle and the time was right, with my lovely wife saying "Why don't you get a car to work on?", bless her heart. We just bought a house with a big double garage, so I jumped on her offer as fast as I could. The budget is/was tight, given we just bought a house, so I sold one of my guitars to fund the purchase. I managed to find an FC sedan that was hot rodded in the 70's and 80's and I will be looking to bring her back to life.

It has a 202 with mild cam, big valves, holley 350 and extractors. The gearbox is a Sigma 5 speed (odd choice I know), and I have the receipt to show it was personally installed by Rod Hadfield at Castlemaine Rod Shop in December 1980. I have since discovered the logic of using a Sigma 5 speed. The box is a good strong box that can easily handle a mild red motor, and it's size means that the trans tunnel does not need to be modified from stock. At the back is a HR rear with LSD and upgraded sway bar, up front is a HR front with discs. Inside is a hand made solid timber dash and glovebox lid, with smiths gauges (I will be keeping this dash as I like it), premier seats, seat belts, a Sanyo heater blower and it has windscreen washers installed. All in all, she would have been a cool old gal back in her day. I have the owners manual with service history from new and she was last registered in 1987.  I have no idea what's under the paint or carpet, so fingers are crossed. So this build is full circle for me, finishing something I started back in 1989 and never got to finish. This is a hobby build, so I won't be rushing anything. A few pics:

(http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/Longman1969/_20%201.jpg)
(http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/Longman1969/20150403_135855.jpg)
(http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/Longman1969/20150314_114136.jpg)
(http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/Longman1969/20150403_135900.jpg)
(http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/Longman1969/20150314_114124.jpg)
(http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/Longman1969/_20%207.jpg)
(http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/Longman1969/20150403_135843.jpg)

If these images don't work for you, try this link ($2). Photobucket make it as hard as possible to hotlink to images on their server these days, so they can show you scummy ads. -RET

Welcome..

What suburb you in ?

Pics didnt work shoot em too me and i will upload them peter@mallaby.com.au

Hi Pete,

I'm in Mount Hutton.  I've emailed you the pics, not sure why they didn't work in the post?

Dunno what you did but they now are working  ;D

Thanks Peter. Is there something better than photobucket that I should use?

So today I started with the tear down. The car has been sitting in a shed for the last 28 years and was full of all sorts of junk, found a lot of 1 and 2c coins! My aim was to get the interior out today. After a full days toiling, I only managed to get 2 doors off, rear seats out and drivers side front seat out, bolts were all buggers to get off. I've removed the carpet, underlay and sound proofing and am happy to report that the drivers side floor is rust free and in excellent shape, rear drivers side floor is good too, with one small rust hole due to a leak of some sort, but will only require a very small patch. That's some good news. Whilst under the car, I checked the inner sills and no sign of rust, outer sills look solid as well. It looks as though the biggest issue will be the boot area, most of the weather seal lip will need to be replaced and drivers side lower quarter is gone.  I will get the passenger side interior out this weekend, I can only hope that side floor is as good as the drivers side.

(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/03/2746789ad4a26ee66025b75d96d82277.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/03/8374b962e06dc51a7a69250b2c27b757.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/04/03/f7375d53470ac123c7ba1d72913847c6.jpg)

Thats a realy good starting point Longman, keep up the photos and progress details.


Regards

Weddo

Welcome aboard, always good to see another old girl getting the treatment. Good luck with the rebuild and keep us posted on your progress.
Jim

Bout time you posted Art!! been waiting for the pics.
Good start! Cheers

Thanks Marc, back to it tomorrow.

Hi Longman looks like you have a great start point make sure you keep posting photos look forward to see it progress.
Regards
Neil H

Sweet dash! Looks like she had a centre console, too.

Welcome and good luck with your build, Art!

Hi, yes a full centre console with hand crafted lift up lid same as the dash.

Should show us that!!  ;)
Good meeting you today Art. (Do the V8 conversion!! :D)
Cheers

Back to it. I got the passenger seat and seatbelts out and the carpet/underlay/sound proofing off. The front floor is nearly as good as the drivers. It has a small 20c piece sized rust hole in the top corner. I'll know more when I get the wire wheel onto it. the rest looks solid as. The passenger rear though is a concern. It has a smooth steel plate welded in, and inspection underneath shows about 3 plates with pop rivets. God only knows what's going on under there, but I can't see any rust from below. I may get a grinder out and try to get the plate off to see whats going on. See pics below.

(http://i.imgur.com/MXsQN1f.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6sA2wx5.jpg)

Hey Marc, yes mate was an absolute pleasure to meet you, I can't wait to come see your beast. If my budget could stretch to it, my dream would be for a nice
naturally aspirated small block, but alas not at this point in time, just had my first mortgage payment come out today in fact, so it looks like lots of sandpaper and wire wheels for me.

Fast reply considering I dobbed you in! At least you worked out the photo posting!

Yes mate, got onto imgur, much better than that photobucket rubbish.  Took a few quick snaps of the custom centre console. A bit sad now, but in it's day would have been pretty cool.

(http://i.imgur.com/i5wGmkM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YXT7y1G.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/o3Hv9vN.jpg)

How time flies. Been on an overseas holiday and plenty of work on the newly purchased home have slowed things in the garage, but I'm still chipping away. All running gear is out and mostly gone. Only got a cain manifold with 350 holley to get rid of (if anyone is interested, $50, needs a good clean but in good nick), a Sigma 5 speed conversion (happy to give this away if anyone is interested, has adaptor, crossmember, tailshaft, starter motor , speedo cable etc) and a full banjo rear end, drum to drum with 3.55:1 LSD (I will sell this or swap for some expertise in rust repair in newcastle, to be negotiated). Depression is setting in as the further I go, the worse this car is turning out to be. I do have to give credit to whoever did the bog work all those years ago, they were a master at covering rust. Sills looked rust free and passed the magnet test, but are turning out to be completely cactus. B pillars are stuffed at the bottom and the front A pillars under the guards are completely gone on both sides. Add to that some modifications underneath for the 5 speed, and  I'm at the stage where I'm considering looking around for a new shell, as this one is turning out to be a total lemon. Someone even welded the passenger side subframe on instead of fixing the rust (see below pic, bolt is fused, and subframe welded on the back). On a positive note, I would like to thank NES (Marc) for all his help, and for the running gear he threw my way. I always wanted a 5L V8 in my FC and now, if I can get the shell fixed, it will happen. Anyway, I'd like to hook up with any locals who may be able to offer some support. I'm happy to have anyone visit for a beer and a look/talk, and any advice would be greatly received at this stage.

(http://i.imgur.com/zbIlOl3.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Kc0rE5g.jpg)

Great photos, they bring up the detail brilliantly.
Sad shot of the rust; enough to make anyone feel depressed initially.
Not local to you so can't take you up on the offer to visit, beer & look/talk.
It's a good plan and you'll find locals here with plenty of experience to lift the spirits.
Will keep watching to see which way you go from here.

Time for an update. I've been mad at it stripping paint, rust and filler. My budget is a bit prohibitive and precludes getting the thing blasted unfortunately. All I can say is I envy those of you who could afford it. It's laborious and dirty work, but that said, it is quite cathartic and relaxing. So far, firewall, dash, and all the drivers side and rear panel below the boot are done. Thank goodness for Smith & Arrow poly strip disks is all I can say, makes the job a whole lot easier.

(http://i.imgur.com/oYraakl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lBOHvry.jpg)

Rear quarter. First pic shows the pool of filler.

(http://i.imgur.com/wTn7Kq6.jpg)

This shot is underneath. Given how good the drivers sill was compared to the passenger, looking at this damage, and the poor repairs on the B pillar, I'm guessing this car was t-boned at some stage.

(http://i.imgur.com/TzvLQ87.jpg)

She's slowly coming clean and giving up her secrets.

(http://i.imgur.com/7i7vlL3.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/pQyX9Tv.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/2dzVmtp.jpg)

As usual, the cowl vent area is cactus. I intend on removing the vent anyway so not too concerned.

(http://i.imgur.com/XD74CZ7.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Vyb5NXR.jpg)

Rear valance area is surprisingly rust free. That said, it's about as straight as Liberace. 8mm bog in some areas, will make good use of my hammer and dolly kit here.

(http://i.imgur.com/6qXx8v1.jpg)

Anyone got any ideas on what made these crimp marks?  They were just bogged over.

(http://i.imgur.com/vcpsqJr.jpg)

Whilst awaiting arrival of a new batch of poly disks, I got stuck into the front crossmember, came up nice. From the looks, it has original 308 mounts from a HQ or Torana, and has front mounted Torana R&P steering. I plan on a test fit eventually before deciding whether or not I go with this setup or not. I got the front end in a trade, came with HQ dropped stubs and disk brakes. I have new stubs for VS brakes to go on it.  Getting the ball joints out was a fun job (NOT), ruined my right elbow for days from all the hammering! You might also notice in the background an early Commodore 10-bolt diff, got it in the same trade, already shortened and ready to go. Was a good trade, included a chassis kit as well.

(http://i.imgur.com/u16YQAe.jpg)

Good stuff Art. Might be slower by hand but I think a better result.

Regards

Wayne b

I didn't bank on so much bog, it took me the entire day yesterday cleaning the dust off everything in the garage! Lots of tarps from now on.

I think the marks at the back are from a body jig. Probably used to straighten the car after the T bone

Ken

Hi Longman
Not sure what you must of traded mate but I'd say you came out of it pretty well.
Regards
Neil H

Good stuff mate. Moving along now

Looks like your going real well with this build . Do you mind if I give you a few ideas . I don't get too involved with this anymore ,but it looks like you know what your doing so ,here goes . When I was doing front mounted racks ,I would gusset and squash the outrigger [pie cut up either side ] .This allows the rack to be placed over the outrigger .It needs about 60mm . Then I would make  slotted brackets to hold the mounting bolts by the heads .This means the rack now moves up or down for alignment .  Then I would remount the sway bar and link rods forward . This means turning the sway bar to sub frame mounting brackets around . It means filling that ugly cut out in the outrigger before you start but the outcome is well worth the extra effort . Yeah , what I am talking about is the old Rods Racks and Suspension front end . If you P.M. me I can run you through the details .Haydn

Thanks Haydn, PM sent.

The work progresses slowly, but surely.

(http://i.imgur.com/FleG3rT.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/bEUY3pu.jpg)

Finally had a chance to finish the front rotisserie mounts. Gotta do the back now.

(http://i.imgur.com/cHvARD9.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/2C3pEfK.jpg)

Hi Neil, was a fair trade in my opinion. I swapped a HR front with red motor mounts and Torana disk brakes and a 3.36 Banjo LSD drum brake rear.

Hi Longman
like I said mate I think you came out in front, having your diff already narrowed will save you time and money when you get around to that point.

Can I ask, what is the primer you are using after you have stripped the paint?

Regards
Neil H

Hi Neil. An old skool panelbeater put me onto Dy-Mark rust reformer. $10.95 for a spray can from Bunnings. Excellent coverage. It has rust converter built in so it chemically converts any leftover rust and stops new rust forming. It can be primed over, painted over or left as is. I'm very happy with it. Once stripping is done, I will spray the shell in epoxy primer.

Update time. I finally got the rotisserie mounts done and the shell mounted. A good mate combined welding lessons for me with the mounts as a project. It may not be pretty, but its solid and spins/wheels very easily. I'm stoked with the results of my first real stress welds.

(http://i.imgur.com/W9OrYxB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/i7S6F5y.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1kxlhLa.jpg)

Now, can anyone spot the difference in this pic

(http://i.imgur.com/3Is7P7A.jpg)

Crossmember looks foreign. EK auto?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It very well may be. It was a custom job to support the gearbox crossmember for a 5 speed manual conversion. God knows why, unless at some stage in the 70's it got an auto conversion first. I know the 5 speed was installed in 1980.

[quote ]

Now, can anyone spot the difference in this pic


[/quote]

You haven't cleaned it up like the rest! 😝

Haha, it's on the to-do list mate. Got some welding ahead of me, thats for sure!

I know full well about cleaning the under side of the body. Took two days and two boxes of 4" 40 grit belts with an air belt sander, but it was the best way other than sand blasting. Keep the photos of your progress coming, it's always good to see another build moving along.
Jim

Definitely not EK, looks more like EH or EJ auto crossmembers. Me thinks my chassis kit will need some modifications to clear this.

I may be wrong but I believe that even the sigma box would not have fitted without the sub frame section being removed . The wider sub frames may have been to try to return strength after the section over the box was removed .Some of the early modifiers of old holdens got away [some still do] with lots of dodgy mods . I drove my van for more than a decade without a mod-plate 'til one day I was complying another old holden with similar mods and the engineer asked about my van .I showed him and it was done . Here is some history .Under my work bench for some 30years is a adapter plate to mate a Datsun 1600 four speed box to a side plate and it has the holes for the holden bellhousing mounts . Its great to see your progress so keep up the good work . Yes EH looks right ,more likely that the sub frames filled with mud over many years and rotted out and the later model was welded in their place . Cheers Haydn  

You could be right Haydn. In any case, i got me some serious work to do.

Looks like the stars are out tonight! Not. This is what i thought was the good rear floor after stripping and backlit to see the damage. Guess it's going to be replaced too. More for the growing list!

(http://i.imgur.com/V1qiMhv.jpg)

I can see the southern cross in there!

And the pointers!


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If you look hard enough Marc, you can see uranus!

Hahahahahha 🖕🏻🖕🏻

April longman?? Been a while. I know you have something for us??


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Hey Marc, I could say the same!

Ok, update. After manually stripping the shell, it appears the old girl has had a very hard life. From what i can see, it's had a serious rear ender and side intrusion. Repairs were awful, with bog the main ingredient, so much so that this shell needs to be abandoned. I have sourced a better, unmodified one and hope to blast it in the next few weeks. Watch this space.

Does that mean a new thread for a new body?


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Perhaps.