Red motor into FC?

[SRVLIVES]

What's the smallest amount of work to get a legally rego'ed red motored FC? I have a 179 and powergkide out of an old EH project (and a set of McGee injection if we really wanna get silly!)

Can I adapt discs to the front end? Can I get away with just a booster? I really don't have the funds, or the room, or the time... to put in a HR front end etc

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

There is an article on the swap on the main website -
http://www.fefcholden.org.au

You will need to check with your local rego office as to what the min is. In SA I think you can fit up to 161 std engines before looking at power brakes or discs.

I don't think rego would pass a 179 without discs, especially if it had injection (wanna sell?)

If you do a search there was a thread a while ago about the pros and cons of discs on a kingpin front-end.
IMHO - Save the money and get the HR disc front-end and save yourself a lot of time and hassle.

[julius]

Hi

To answer you ? The simplest way is to fit a red into an FC is bolt the original gear box to the red. Then fit the motor using the original rear engine mounts to locate everything then fabricate you red motor mounts and presto its in.

No hasels no cutting of the floor no modifying fire wall.

Disadvantage...... dont go flogging it a crash box is about the same strengh as an opel 4 speed driven normally will last I have done this both ways and they will last.

You will have to recore your radiator so as to increase water flow, you will also have to relocate the upper outlet and size to match the radiator hose of memory the botoom one should be right.

If you wish to upgrade your brakes use EK commercial as they are wider and will bolt up.

I agree with Stinky suggested check with rego before you jump.

Julius

[Dr_Terry]

Hi Guys.

julius, are EK commercial brakes any different to all other FB/EK models.

Dr Terry

[julius]

Dr Terry

I believe FB-EK commercial brakes are wider than the sedan & wagon brakes.  What I do suggest you do is measure the width of the sedan & commercial brakes or ask you brake specialist.  I also believe that FB-EK brakes are wider than FE-FC brakes anyway.  When you do change them, you going to have to change the complete brake assembly from backing plates, shoes, wheel cylinders and brake drums.  I'm not sure about the hub, but you'll find out soon enough.

Julius

[mcl1959]

According to the master parts book, all FB/EK had the same front brakes.  FB/EK are I think 1/4 inch wider than FE/FC.
SRVLIVES - It depends on which state you are in.  In Vic you wont get a red motor engineered without disc brake front.

Ken

[SRVLIVES]

hey Ken, I'm in NSW. Just recently there was an FC sedan on ebay that was apparently stock other than a red motor, owner said the red engine # was the one on the rego papers.

Just got me thinking.....

[RET]

That's possible, a 138 red or 149 is legal in NSW without any other changes.  If it's larger than that, then it must be an older modification. You used to be able to register anything, and if it's never been let go out of rego then it would still be legal.  Couldn't do it now though.

Even if it is legal, it's not real safe.  Converting to a ball-joint disc front end is not a terribly expensive exercise, and gives you much better braking.

There's an article about it in the Tech Info section.

Hope that helps,
RET