138 replies to this topic

[UCgazman]

Put the commo dual diaphragm booster and 1'' mc on today, all went on pretty easy. Everyone's probably seen it before, but I'll show how I did it anyway.
Here's the V8 commo booster and the original 4cyl starfire one (note the studs on the commo one are thinner) -


Measured then cut the ends off each booster -


Welded the Torana end onto the commo booster. Don't let the rod get too hot, I wrapped a soaking wet rag around it while I welded it -


All bolted up. I used some big flat washers on the booster so the smaller nuts wont pull through the firewall. And as a bonus because the UC is late '79 and originally had a metric master cylinder with built in prop valve, all the brake lines screwed straight on...

[UCgazman]

I only had to bend mine slightly to get them on, but yours would be harder because they're UNF? (I think) threaded. You'd need to change the ends and re-flare them, but if you're also doing away with the old prop valve then it's probably easier and neater to just make up some new lines.

[UCgazman]

Well we've been doing bits n pieces on the UC, nothing much worth posting about, just bolting bits on etc. I sorted out the power steering pump, we ended up using a VK 6cyl remote reservoir type pump because the V8 one was hitting the throttle body. Had to modify the VK V8 bracket a little (pity, it was a nice chrome one) so the 6cyl pump would fit -


We've also started on the engine wiring by running the ecu harness into the cab from under the blower motor -


Got the whole of next week off so we should make a lot more progress on the old 'bird...

[76lxhatch]

Nice, where did you mount the reservoir for the pump?

[UCgazman]

Looks good mate, keen to suss out your conversion I'll be doing the same soon. I'm in Warnbro!

Cool you're not far from us. Feel free to ask about anything if you need to.

Nice, where did you mount the reservoir for the pump?

I'll probably mount the reservoir next to the air box, depends how crowded that side of the engine bay looks after mounting the ignition module and running the engine loom etc. I'm not hiding wiring etc, just going for a neat look.

[UCgazman]

Cheers Berro, hopefully that article you posted was bs, I used to have modified cars licensed all the time and I've never heard of anything preventing a V8 UC from passing. Mind you that was 7 or 8 years ago and the rule's have changed since then so . I was planning to have mine inspected in Rockingham because they (transport) outsourced the vehicle inspections to a few local mechanic shops and sometimes they're a little more lenient than DOT run inspection pits.

[UCgazman]

Another progress shot -

The engine bay is getting crowded, I'm hoping the charcoal canister will squeeze between the radiator and battery, then I've got the air box and p/s reservoir going on the other side. Not sure if the engine relays will fit in there somewhere, I might have to run them under the dash maybe.....

[76lxhatch]

Can't be long until it fires up now?

Put the charcoal canister under the battery

[UCgazman]

Yeah, its freakin cold here at the mo so we haven't been getting much done but it shouldn't be much longer. Good idea with the charcoal canister, I'm using the smaller VN type so there would be heaps of room for it under there....

[Neils LX]

Mines under Battery, its not a UC but rails the same

Edited by Neils LX, 10 July 2012 - 07:30 AM.

[UCgazman]

Fitted the coil, after looking for a good place to put it I found it fits perfectly under the wiper plenum


A small hole with a grommet for the wiring and coil lead to go through


Beats the original Commodore coil location...

[UCgazman]

You've been busy! been a while since iv had a look at your thread. Looks good!

Are coils waterproof? Might get wet where it is.

Hmmm good call, I was thinking it shouldn't get much water on it with the wiper plenum on, but it might be worth putting a plastic cover or something over it.

Looking really cool now mate, you've progressed heaps!



My UC was passed with flying colours from 4cyl to 8cyl without engineering or anything at Welshpool. Was no dramas at all.

Cool, I was hoping it wasn't going to be too much hassle, how long ago did you have yours passed?

[UCgazman]

Hid the charcoal canister under the guard/battery area, its heaps better than trying to cram it in somewhere in the engine bay.


Also fitted a T-piece for the oil pressure gauge sender and the efi sensor


Did a bit of other stuff too but nothing worth posting pics of. We did pick up some more parts yesterday from another member -


Guess where they came from hehe

[UCgazman]

Been sorting out the wiring from the 5lt engine harness to the engine bay harness.
This schematic is a hand drawn copy of a conversion harness we bought once for a previous project from a 'professional' conversion specialist (who shall remain unnamed ). Now we use it as a reference when making our own neater, simpler, easier to fit harness.


So far it looks like this -


All I need to do now is trial fit it and then tape it all up once I'm happy with the fit.

And here's the leftovers from the VN engine bay harness that I don't need (except the ECM) -


Once that's done I'll sort out the fuel pump and then its vroom vroom time....

[UCgazman]

It rained too much to get any work done on the weekend so I spent the time chasing more bits instead. I needed a custom speed sensor and in the past I've ordered them from 'V6 conversions', but I couldn't seem to get hold of Pat on the phone or by email and I got a bit tired of trying... Then I saw a thread here mentioning Castle Auto Electrics, so I checked their website, filled out an online order form Sunday night, got a call Monday morning to organise payment and got a package from them Wednesday morning! Brilliant prompt service, I was stoked.

Here's a blurry phone pic of the sensor and loom, and a new speedo cable to match -


Not sure if I'll use their loom or maybe splice it into an original gbox loom so I can keep the factory plugs....

[UCgazman]

Trial fitted the conversion harness I made today, the fit was good and the craptacular bracket we made to hold the relays and fusible links in place worked well.


We've taped it now and just need to splice the Torana plug on the end then refit it tomorrow.

We also added a new vacuum outlet for the brake booster in a more accessible location at the front of the manifold. We drilled and tapped a thread and fitted a booster fitting off a commo V6. I wasn't comfortable trying to cram the hose down the back of the manifold with all the other stuff back there, it was just too damn crowded....

[UCgazman]

Haven't had much to post here lately, just been tidying up wires, fitting the fuel pump etc. But I did get a package today containing something photo-worthy -

NOS mint condition blue UC crashpad still in the Holden box anyone?!?


I'm stoked! I've been chasing one of these for ages....