FC: manual to auto

[s341981@student.uq.edu.au]

I'm having a heap of trouble finding any one in Brisbane who can change an FC from a manual to an auto.  If anyone has had it done or can recommend some one it would be greatly appreciated.
Also can some one let me know how their car runs as an auto.
Cheers, Carla

[Richard Thomas (Guest)]

Carla,
You haven't mentioned what motor and gearbox you intend running, which makes it difficult to answer the question simply.  But basically:
1.  If you are running a grey motor, then you should be able to use the steering column, linkages, transmission and floor from an EK automatic without too much trouble - you just need to find the parts.  You may even be able to use a Tri-Matic instead of the old Hydra, but I'm not sure of that.
2.  If you have a red motor or some other engine, then the modification is slightly more complicated, and depends upon which transmission you want to use.  I've got a 186 with a PowerGlide auto in my FE, but that was not a simple job at all.
Perhaps you could post a bit more info about what you're trying to do, and see if anyone out there has done it.  Also, email your message to committee@qld.fefcholden.org.au, since they may be able to help you with local mechanics.
Hope that helps, RET
PS - you will probably need to consider a change diff ratio as well with this conversion.

[Carla   ]

Thanks Thomas,
I've been told that its best to get a red motor so that I can put a trimatic in (because I"ve been told that it's more reliable than the hydramatic).  However I'm not sure on that and I'm not sure of the other changes I'd have to make.  
I'd prefer a column shift, so would I need a hydramatic, rather than a trimatic?
Cheers, Carla

[Richard Thomas (Guest)]

Hi Carla,
Installing a red motor is relatively straightforward, but you need to speak to an engineer to find out what you need to make it legal in Queensland.  In NSW, you need HR disc brakes, seat belts, heater/demister, 2-speed wipers - I presume it would be similar there.  Obviously, if you get a red motor and TriMatic as a set, you'll have all the bits you need, so check the papers for the whole set, or at least a motor that was attached to a TriMatic, and vice versa.
There are plenty of models (HQ - VK, all Toranas) that came with the red + TriMatic combination, and many of these had column shift as standard, so I would not think it was that difficult to adapt the linkages from a later model to your vehicle.
As I said earlier, get in contact with the FE-FC Holden Car Club of Queensland, where you are sure to meet someone who has done this before in your area, and learn from their experience.  You will need to find a mechanic you can entrust with this job, and they might be able to help you with that as well.
Lastly, get along to the Queensland All Holden Day, which is on in the last weekend in November, and have a look at an automatic EK and as many automatic HQ-HZ Kingswoods, and Toranas as you can find to see what combination is going to make for the easiest conversion.
Hope that helps, RET

[brett]

Richard.
Thanks for the comments about the gearbox. A mechanic we spoke to today told us that if you have a grey motor you can use a hydramatic but you have to balance the motor to suit the gearbox because it sits on "sideways"  
Sounds weird to me but he sounded like he knew what he was doing :-)