Whealey FC long roof

[Luke Healey]

Hey guy's

Though I would start with some project photos

Plans are as follows
Rebuild the 186, trimatic, Hr diff
Castlemaine rod shop front end
Hz master
15" smoothies
As low as possible
Billet column and moon wheel
White interior
Seat belts
Surf racks and board
Venetians
Visor

Going for a beach rod look.

Have stripped interior and started converting and painting rust (will blast and paint in future rebuild it is pretty good for now). Has alot of dodgy work in the car that will be replaced.

In south coast Nsw. Any one on here near me? I am new to Holdens. Have played with Vw before.



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[Luke Healey]

First photo is from previous owner

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[camxsmith]

Hi  What a great starter car..  Love the plans and you look like you have made a great start..  keep the pictures coming..   Cam

[Old_Mt_Isa_Boy]

Great wagon. Hope all goes well.

Regards

Wayne b

[ekute]

Hi Whealey there's a couple of us in Batemans Bay. Then others further north. Give me a call if you want some help. Cheers , Mark 0431 746304


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[hsv-001]

Looks like a great project . I was just wondering if you have chosen ready built conversions for convenience or do you have a preference for these conversions ? There are plenty of guys on this forum for example ,who could help you with front end and steering column conversions and I can guarantee you will have a better unit .







Just saying there are people who can help you with bespoke stuff if you wish to do some of it yourself .Cheers Haydn

[mcl1959]

Really nice project that you've got there.
I think your plans are excellent


Haydn I think you should check your drawing again


Ken

[Luke Healey]

Thanks for the number mark.

Haydn.
It already has a hr front end with a rear mouth wb rack. Having issues with the universals locking up when turning due to angle. So yes I was looking at replacement of the front end for both convenience and a better feel on the road.
As for the column I am yet to work that out. The one in the car was held in with angle iron and hose clamps to make it collapsible.
There's already an aircon kit in the car.
Trimatic already has floor shift just shudders in reverse so needs a rear build.
Have been searching the forum but not always getting the answers I was after. Still an awesome resource though.
As for more photos. Here you go

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[Luke Healey]

Sorry vb rack not wb

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[Luke Healey]

If anyone can point me in the direction of some decent posts that can help me with the mods I am looking at doing including suggested cheaper or better options that would be highly appreciated

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[ekute]

Hi Haydn, early Holden's are a bit like splitties, you can spend and spend then double the $ and it still a 50 or 60 year old vehicle!
You have a good base to work from and can get good results out of recoing the front end and even stock steering, unless the column and r&p was an engineers requirement. If it was passed by an engineer then don't refer anyone else to him!
Have we met thru dsk?
Cheers Mark


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[hsv-001]

Yeah ,wrong side . Oops . Anyway as for the problem with the steering column .I would make a steel cup at the bottom of the column where it should be welded to the floor plate so as to recess the universal joint into the firewall . This is best measured with the column and shaft in place as the column usually needs to go through the floor slightly higher up than original . To tell the truth my old van has the starter motor brush cover off a side plate starter welded to the floor plate to recess the uni., By moving the universal up to a position inside the floor pan it makes the angle of the intermediate shaft less and that will fix the steering . I am guessing that's a FB EK steering column or similar . You can use a FE FC steering column top section and a commodore bottom section with the expanded metal section [outer ] and make the column any length you need . If you use HQ steering arms[the short ones around 100mm from the back mounting bolt to the tie rod end hole]  and commodore tie rods you don't need what looks like adaptors on those tie rods . The shudder in reverse could be the rear mount position as the gearbox cross member on lots of conversions is not where it should be allowing the transmission to move about. Like I said you have a great base for what could be an ideal build and it looks like you have most everything you need . If there is anything I can help you with I will be happy to do so . Cheers Haydn

[Luke Healey]

Hey Mark,
My name is Luke,
Not sure what you mean by dsk.
My dad does keep saying "sounds like your trying to make an old car to new"
I was chasing kombis for a while as I use to own one.
Though Holden was a better price and more parts available.
Rack and pinion and column engineered in QLD so don't know who allowed that to pass. I am in Nsw. I have to have collapsible because of 186 and the 20% power regulations.

Hayden,

Must thankyou again for taking the time out to reply. I work in aviation maintenance so I have the hand skills required. Just not alot of know how as this is my first Holden.
So you really think I am better of to rebuild the hr front that is in it now. I don't mind spending the cash on the ifs if it is a decent upgrade. Plan on having the car  for the next 40 years anyway so thought it may be a worthwhile investment. Would still like to talk to someone who has run a ifs front end.
That all said I am happy to change plans if it's not a sensible option

Thanks again

Luke.

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[ekute]

Hey Luke, sorry about mixing up your name, us oldtimers ain't to good with forum stuff! I thought we might have crossed paths because until January this year I had a split screen Kombi and an fe Holden. Dsk is a splittie forum.


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[hsv-001]

Did front end conversions for Rods Racks for a couple of decades up here in Qld. and have seen lots of dodgy work but never seen anything like that ,and yes if its bigger than 186 it needs a collapsible column . That's what I was suggesting in my post regarding making it yourself . My van is collapsible and its just a bored 173 and I did it to reposition the steering wheel . Guess what I am saying is it takes less money if you have more time to think about the build and you will come up with something very drivable . Haydn 

[Luke Healey]

So thanks to your supportive comments (Hayden in particular) have decided to give rebuilding the front end a go. Have fitted the original column about 3" further back and it has made a huge difference to the steering. The rack won't reach the attachment points any more so cable tied it for the test. Ps live cable ties. Have a lj torana rack available if you think this would suit?
Added other photos so you can give me more great suggestions



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[Luke Healey]

Dose John kean auto tune mean anything to anyone?
It's stamped in my hr front end

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[Errol62]

Stan Kean Dynotune?


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[DJ]

John Kean Auto Tune
242 South Pine Rd, Enoggera, QLD 4051
??

[hsv-001]

John 's getting a bit long in the tooth now days .I first met him back in the 70's first FX FJ club in Qld. He has been part of the brains {conversions guy] at the Qld Department of Transport for many years and in the 90,s I had a FC wagon with his first HR conversion in it  . Looks like someone removed 175mm from your commodore rack ,hence the dent in the side of the sump[I didn't remove quite that much off the rack so I have some clearance] . Just large enough on the cup at the bottom of the column to clear the uni. or the pedal may cast . By the way weld the two floor plates together before cutting the hole as you may need to patch the hole and reposition the recessed cup before welding the column to the floor plate . My rack boots barely clear grease nipples on the lower inners to give you an Idea of position . Like I said Mark message me and I can help you with all of this . What you are doing is [was] a common conversion and not only very straight forward but if done correctly [steering ,suspension and gear ratio ] will give you a reliable and easy ride . I don't like to give too much advice on the forum because not all my ideas suit everybody . For example I would go with a later model on the fire wall booster and sell the VH40 or keep it for a manual ,I say this because I would put the brake where the clutch pedal is now giving enough room for a large diaphragm booster . I only shorten racks by 155 instead of 175 and I find the bump steer is non existent ,then in doing so you have room for your oil filter and your ignition coil and you can give the UC Torana Starfire filter adaptor to someone else . In any case message me . Haydn