HR Front End

[ownfc59]

Hey guys,
Seeking some advice.  Just bought an FC which is registered but bought it without a roadworthy (safety) certificate.  Took it to my mechanic & he reeled off a long list of problems with the front end that needs fixing before he can give me a roadworthy, which I need to transfer the rego.  Haven't got a cost breakdown but with a leaking fuel pump, leaking rear axle seals & a few other things, gave me a ballpark figure of $2,700 all up to get it roadworthy.
I was thinking of getting a HR front end (with disc brakes preferably) in any case down the track.  Can I get your thoughts on whether I might be better off trying to find a HR front end now & getting it fitted rather than getting all these problems fixed, especially considering the cost.  If the HR front is the way to go, does anyone know where I might be able to get my hands on one in the Brisbane/Toowoomba area & how much to expect to pay for one?
Thanks,
Pete

[mcl1959]

With the HR front end - you may also be required to obtain an engineers report, as you then will have modified brakes - check this out first.

HR db front ends are going over $400 on ebay and then you may need to do repairs on it as well. Will you be fitting the front end yourself or are you paying someone else?  The fitting requires welding to the crossmember.  If you are paying someone else you may find yourself no better off.

Can you detail what is wrong with your front end and then parts can be priced.

Ken

[ownfc59]

Thanks Ken for that.
I am going to pick up a detailed listing this arvo when i pick up the car.
Due to lack of tools & appropriate know how i will need to get someone to do the fitting for me.
I have only had the old girl for a week or 2 & it does handle like a truck.  I thought this was just due to it's age & old technology.  The mechanic did mention when i said about putting in a HR front end that when i get the suspension & steering problems fixed it will drive a lot better.
If you don't mind I will send you details of the work needed.  Perhaps some of the simpler things i can have a stab at doing myself to save some dollars.  I did want to get it re-sprayed but looks like this won't be happening for a while after this.

[ownfc59]

Ken,
Here is a list of repairs (parts & labour):
Both front shocks $180
Fuel pump leaking $200 - might have a go at replacing the pump myself, doesn't look too hard
All crossmember bushes $430
Top outer upper control arm bushes & rod $192
RH king pin $420
All rear spring bushes $255
Both rear axle seals $295
Front wheel bearings $260
Hand brake cable $?
plus a few other little bits & pieces
I'm not real mechanically inclined but would like to maybe have a go at a few of these jobs myself, just not sure how involved they may be & what tools would be needed.  Plus there is the time factor - basically i have very little of it between full time work, part time uni study & 2 boys aged 4 & 6 plus a wife!
Any advice you can give would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Peter

[FC427]

Hi Peter Where do you live ? and Welcome to the Family .......FC427........

[mikey]

Ouch,
            That sure is a lot of bickies isn't it?

[ownfc59]

Thanks for the welcome FC427...I live in Toowoomba SE Qld, about 110 km west of Brisbane.

and Mikey,
yes it is a lot of bickies.  I thought I was getting a bargain as body & interior are in excellent original unrestored condition, maybe not!  But she is worth it.  I just love the look of the FC's - the best looking car holden (and dare I say, Australia) ever produced.

[Sheriff]

Peter, welcome to the Forum and FE/FC ownership.  I live at Highfields not far from you.  There are a few other owners in the area as well who are members of the Qld FE/FC Club.  Might be a good idea to join - $35.    Send me a PM with your phone no and I will give you a call.   I have had work done on my car recently at Steerite Mechanical.   John, the owner, is a good bloke, does good work, and does not overcharge in my opinion.   I got changeover kingpins from Rare Spares (Evans Trim Shop, Toowoomba.)for about $340 for both, (they take $100 deposit for the return of your old ones), and John fitted them, plus new tie-rods for $280.00.  Cheers,  Mike.

[Dave_EH]

Pete,

Those prices are probably about right for a workshop with moderate overheads.  It would be impossible to say if all those repairs are necessary without seeing your car, but if it is original most are probably due.

The shocks you could have a go at doing!  Not too hard - Pedders (which are a pretty good shock) should sell a front pair for FC in their comfort range (standard replacment) for around $130 and a little cheaper trade price.  You could go something cheaper like a Monroe GT Gas (which would still be ok for a standard front end) a little cheaper at around $80 a pair from somewhere like REPCO.

The fuel pump is not too hard either - depending on where it is leaking.  Does the pump still work for the wipers?  There would not be any harm involved in taking it off and having a look as long as you have a little bit of an idea of what you are doing.

King Pin is def a workshop job if to be done properly.

A pair of good quality front wheel bearings are around $50, and this is not too hard.  Some one might be able to show you one side first?  Getting the inner and outer cups out of the hub can be difficult on such an old set, but still doable.

AFAIK new handbrake cables are only available from rare spares.  Usually best to replace all three pieces at once if you want it to work well.  Its a bit of a pain of a job without a hoist and a little tricky if its your first go as you'll have to pull your rear brakes apart.

$255 is ok for the rear springs if that includes new shackle and pin bushes and labour.

Personally I have found an original kingpin front end in an FC wuite good to drive if they are in GOOD condition.

I hope this helps a little.  Good luck and shop around!

Dave

[FC0058]

Hi Peter
I tend to agree with the guys on this one. A lot of the jobs you have listed are quite simple, you can look at it two ways, if you do alot of these jobs yourself you will save on labour costs and also have the pleasure of knowing you did it yourself. The money you save on labour can either be spent on tools if required or put back into the purse.

One of the first things you will need is a workshop manual, and the second is some friendly people from the FE FC Club to lend a hand and give advice. You have quite a few members in and around Toowoomba that would be quite willing to lend a hand to a fellow enthusiast, Harry and Mike are two that come to mind straight away.

As for the parts I would shop around to secure the best prices. Some times the best prices can be found on eBay as long as you know what it is your after and what it costs else were, I recently saved a fortune on flexable brake hoses. I have also found that Rare Spares can offer the best prices for some items. For brakes I have started to use ABS as I saved over 1/3 on my rear brake shoes. For any work carried out by a mechanic I would supply the parts if at all possible. I once had a water pump supplied and fitted by a mechanic (Emergency). I could have done it myself for less than half of what he charged me just for the pump.

Working on your own car is fun and a learning experience.

Cheers Jim