365 weeks...

[JB]

He can get fluid through the front and pedal goes down when it's meant to, but on the rears with the nipple open, it's a hard pedal no fluid... We think a blockage in the abs unit.

[mcl1959]

I would agree by the sound of what you are getting. Modern brake systems don't like being left apart for long periods of time, lots of tiny valves and seals inside.
Try doing a temporary bypass of the abs unit to confirm the master cylinder pressure will activate the rear calipers.

Ken

[JB]

He hasn't done homework of 45 years, but my brother has been looking through Google about the ABS system, and seems that depending on how the vehicle stopped in the accident then a valve that modulates the brakes maybe closed, so before we pull it all apart and bypass as you say Ken, we are ging to try and wire the system up and seeing if this does anything.
This won't happen until I get over there in a month... So will let you know the result.

Cheers
JB

[NES304]

Or a new abs unit?

[JB]

Got to go and play on the ute for 4 days... Clutch gave us plenty of trouble. Got a replacement one off ebay but I got a later 99 model instead of a 98, after emailing the seller no reply so replaced the plunger in the old master cylinder. After bleeding and bleeding the clutch still couldn't get a pedal so went to the wreckers to see if they had another unit to try for us. Found one that was new but missing a circlip. Put it in and bled with a good result.
Brakes were another time consuming effort with the master giving very good pedal but no fluid through to the rear. Initially thought it was a blockage in the ABS unit so replaced it but presented the same problem... Not the ABS unit! Took that back and replaced the master cylinder, problem solved we now have brakes and clutch... So sick of brake fluid!!! Wired up the ABS sensors and decided to go for a spin. Sorry for the quality of the vid, just click on the photo.




It was awesome to finally get to drive it down the road!! The clutch problem referenced to in the vid was we had it failing again after the first lap back. The bracket cracked and we lost pedal again... Welded it up and got it all back again.

Ran out of time to look for the gremlins in the ABS and have a battery light on again... which is a little strange as i replaced the alternator a while ago and had it all running ok.

Hey Pete... Good luck keeping yours straight mate... didn't take much effort at all to have a little fun sideways!!!

Cheers
JB

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Outstanding JB. Nice sound.

Regards

Wayne b

[DJ]

Great choice on paint too. Looks a million on the street.

[Ole]

That's great JB, now you can start to get excited!
Cheers Ole.

[FCRB26]

awesome

gives me motivation.

[FCV08]

JB

Great to see progress.

Keep the posts coming.

Love the colour

[hsv-001]

Do you still have an alternator light on . Had a similar problem with commodore set up in my Vauxhall . Turns out the dash light draws a certain amount of current which excites a diode in the alternator and switches the light . There may be a resistor in the instrument cluster as well [ not shown in the workshop manual] anyway try a larger wattage bulb or as I did a 24v and it works . I discovered this by wiring a FC front indicator through the charge wire circuit . Haydn   

[JB]

Thanks Haydn, yes there is a zener diode in the alternator that requires a small current to flow to excite it and then the alternator to charge.

I have had it going before, and now it doesn't... even though nothing has been changed in-between. so was a little stumped. But ran out of time to have a decent look through, so hopefully when I get back I will be able to sort it.

I think the problems with the ABS after reading a bit more last night is that I didn't have all of the brake light switches hooked up which the ABS unit tests prior to operation. If it finds any fault it isolates itself giving normal braking instead.

Always a learning process.

Cheers
JB

[TTV6FC]

Too cool JB,had a good chuckle when she stepped out across the road!Jamie.

[SC00P]

This is epic!!! Great read.

[Ed]

It's alive!

very inspiring JB.. Congrats on the milestone.
 

Cheers

Ed

[GM]

Wow, I've watched it a number of times now Jason, looks great. And yeah, needs the wheel alignment huh?

[FC_fer_me]

Good stuff JB, sounds great. Looks like you got the right ride height on the front at last. Look forward to seeing it in the flesh. Cheers, Jack

[FC0058]

Hi JB

Looks and sounds great, your on the home straight now........I expect that we will see you and your car at the QLD 2016 Nationals.

Cheers Jim

[JB]

Just got over for another couple of days on the ute, always frustrating when you have only a limited amount of time to work on it and then you have to run around and get bits and pieces chewing into that time... Rant over...
Managed to hook the power steering up and get it working for those who have the V6 conversions front end running power steering it works great! Nice and light and I think will have a decent turning circle when everything is aligned, and I get the ride height correct.
Got the vapour return line done, and secured all of the fuel lines underneath, so only have the Air Cond hoses to place under the drivers side guard before all of the panels can be gapped for the last time.
Also hooked up the dump pipes back up to make it legal, but will need another muffler each side as I think it is a little too loud for the authorities at the moment... Love the noise though.
Next will be to get some bits and pieces chromed to get the doors and tailgate closing on latches as well as the bonnet catches.

Cheers
JB

[FC_fer_me]

Hi JB, glad to see you're making some progress. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the turning circle, I know I was! Mine turned out better than an early commodore. Keep the good work up, Cheers, Jack.