982 replies to this topic

[Holdenbn74]

Fantastic work all from home! Pure credit to you. Look forward to seeing it in the flesh 👌👌

[sibhs]

Continuing that fantastic attention to detail.

Love this build. Certainly one of the most interesting build threads for an original restoration that I have ever heard of.

Thanks Heath, I love your build too. You ooze talent and ingenuity.

 

Fantastic work all from home! Pure credit to you. Look forward to seeing it in the flesh 👌👌

Cheers Holdenbn74, drop by one day or wait till it's on the road.

 

Still struggling to get really stuck into this resto, still only little updates.

Finally assembled the steering column. I found the LC version a lot harder to assemble than the LJ.

 

 

Layed out all the bits on the coffee table.

 

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Inserted the inner tube and secured with the locking clamp and two bolts.

 

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The collar bit needs to be pushed on over ridges and turned to lock in position. I found this couldn't be done until all the bits are threaded on the shaft in correct order.

 

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The three screws secured hold it all together.

 

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The finished product in a foam padded case.

 

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Marty

[madtoranajzedded]

Your doing some great work Marty.I got the wheels on and the ball joints turn pretty easy now with more leverage.still a huge strain on the steering rack I’d imagine….ahh so that’s what the steering column bolts look like.I’ve been trying to find those to no avail.

[sibhs]

Shocking News

I wasn't sure what shocks to put in this car. The LJ had the Koni's which I got for a good price but that option isn't available any more and full price is close to $1000. I want to paint the shocks to look like that original green colour so was looking for a cheaper option.

Monroe were the original brand so I though I get them. Full price was about $580 but luckily I knew someone and got a set for $340.

Finding the correct colour paint was difficult (still don't know what colour it is)

 

I had a couple of pics of original shock and just picked a similar colour.

 

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I converted my shelves into a spray booth. Fitted an extractor fan and light. I really enjoy painting and this should stay once the car is finished.

 

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Marty

[jd lj]

That colour looks close to Balmoral green Marty. That's what I used on my Koni's.

[Ice]

Top work as usual Marty 

[yel327]

Are these the same colour as the rears on later Torana and Holden? I got that paint matched a while back, have the formula here. So I can get original HJ shocks rebuilt for my HJ Premier and paint them the same colour as originals.

[4dabush]

Hi Marty, 

sorry for completely off topic, I tried to PM you but the site won’t let me,   Are you still doing dash lettering, LJ ? 
cheers, 

Adam 

[sibhs]

Hi Marty, 

sorry for completely off topic, I tried to PM you but the site won’t let me,   Are you still doing dash lettering, LJ ? 
cheers, 

Adam 

Hi Adam, I've only got a few sets left and I'm going to start restoring some dash's so until I print some more I'm not selling any more for a while.

 

 

 

 

As we're talking about dash's I'll put up some pics of a few i'm restoring at the moment. These are plastic LC ones. One was broken in half but all need strengthening in the narrow section.

 

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Gave them a bath in the kitchen sink, much to Sallys discussed.

 

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Drilled  holes through the fin and fitted metal strips before pouring black resin. It reminds me of grout filling a block to take out the flex.

 

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Made a couple of moulds of the two different textures.

 

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This is one of the holes needing repair and the results of the two patterns once I poured resin into the area.

 

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I'll post more pictures as these progress.

 

Marty

[S pack]

Love your work Marty.

[Ice]

Awesome work Marty 

[Bruiser]

Me too, you’re a clever bloke

[sibhs]

Thanks Dave, Gene and Bruce. Definitely a step-up from my last effort repairing the LJ dash where I used epoxy putty and just scratched in a messy pattern.

 

I've got the K-frame together after a few months of bit-by-bit work.

 

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I'm keeping the original GTR springs in, I liked the ride height.

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I used the hydraulic table to get some compression on the spring before fitting the spring compressor.

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I'm using a blue paint pen to identify all the bolts done up to final tension. I'm hoping this will also make the inspector think it's been professionally assembled.

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Getting the old wheels back on to move it around.

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Marty

[sibhs]

A bit more work on the dashs.

This one was missing a section above steering arch, I dammed the area with plasticine then poured a bit of resin.

 

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All the dash were missing the section for the lock barrel and most locating pins were missing. I copied these from a good dash and fitted them to dash where required.

 

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All the flat line areas which need the chrome were sanded flat to give a clean edge for the chrome. After plastic primer was applied it was time to paint black.

 

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The bottom dash was very good so I touched up the font and just cleaned the plastic. I always try and keep them plain plastic if possible because that's how they were.

 

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Next step is apply the decals and then chrome edging.

 

Marty

[sibhs]

When I do some painting I try mix up extra paint and have extra bits ready to spray to use the excess.

After the dash's were done I grabbed a couple of rims and the steering column bracket to use up paint.

 

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I got lucky a few years ago at the opening of a Rare Spares store. Some of the management team from over east were there for the special occasion. They were keen to speak to clients and find out what we liked and disliked. I asked why the wheel trims were no longer made, it was due to the maker increasing the price by more than double.  Then he said he had a set in his office in Melbourne and I could have it for a good price. Yes please.  It was sent over and offered to me for $250 or $300 with a set of centre caps and wheel nuts. I paid the $300.

Since then they have been harder and more expensive to find so very happy with that purchase.

 

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I had to see how they look, I didn't seat the trims because the paint hasn't fully cured. Once all the rims are painted I'll apply the speckle silver paint.

 

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Bought some stickers and fitted them to the rocker cover.

 

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Marty

[MODNIZD]

Looking great Marty. Loving the resto work too.

[yel327]

When I do some painting I try mix up extra paint and have extra bits ready to spray to use the excess.

After the dash's were done I grabbed a couple of rims and the steering column bracket to use up paint.

 

IMG_2037 (1).jpeg

 

IMG_2038 (1).jpeg

 

IMG_2044 (1).jpeg

 

I got lucky a few years ago at the opening of a Rare Spares store. Some of the management team from over east were there for the special occasion. They were keen to speak to clients and find out what we liked and disliked. I asked why the wheel trims were no longer made, it was due to the maker increasing the price by more than double.  Then he said he had a set in his office in Melbourne and I could have it for a good price. Yes please.  It was sent over and offered to me for $250 or $300 with a set of centre caps and wheel nuts. I paid the $300.

Since then they have been harder and more expensive to find so very happy with that purchase.

 

IMG_2046.jpeg

 

I had to see how they look, I didn't seat the trims because the paint hasn't fully cured. Once all the rims are painted I'll apply the speckle silver paint.

 

IMG_2047.jpeg

 

Bought some stickers and fitted them to the rocker cover.

 

IMG_2051.jpeg

 

IMG_2054.jpeg

 

Marty

 

 

Do they still make the caps? I need to get 4 and butcher them for the red logo to put on some Rallye II HQ-HZ caps. I'm using them on a set of 15" repro Chevelle SS wheels on my HK and the red cap logos look far better. 

 

Edit - just looked at their site and they have them. Are they plastic or metal? Hopefully plastic so easier to cut the logo out. The Rares HQ caps are just a sticker so I can replace that with the LC cap top.

Edited by yel327, 26 April 2023 - 08:51 AM.

[claysummers]

Bought a set on gumtree a couple years ago which I run on my ute with HT steelies as an alternative to the Sampson Magnums. I have to take the dust caps off the front hubs for them to fit. They were about $120 the set from memory.


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[Heath]

Duuuuude! The mould of the dash grain.

 

Mate. Get outta here hahahhaaha. That is awesome.

[sibhs]

Looking great Marty. Loving the resto work too.

Thanks Phil.

Duuuuude! The mould of the dash grain.

 

Mate. Get outta here hahahhaaha. That is awesome.

Heath, I take this as high praise coming from you. I think I have a 'man crush' on you. I love your work ethic and ability to sort out challenges that come your way. You're a genius!

Thanks, Marty

 

Final pics of the dash resto

 

Cutting up and applying the decals.

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Then sprayed them with a clear varnish to protect the decals

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Found another brand of chrome pen I'm happy with, 3mm seems the go.

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A before and after shot. I've kept them in the same order so top one was snapped in two. This also has a grain repair which isn't as good as the rest. Still experimenting with the process. I also made this a GTR version which has no choke wording and I made some blanking plates for the hole. The bottom dash was not painted and is still original font.

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Marty

[sibhs]

With the KFrame ready and the engine painted it's time to lift it into position. It all went well as I reminded myself on which mount goes on what side after the LJ getting them wrong. Also which mount sits in front and the other behind.

 

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Got all the engine bits that were restored years ago out of the bedroom wardrobe. 

 

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Thought I'd better check the spigot bush and I'm glad I did. I used the wet paper method to remove it and it wasn't the correct one and was well worn.

 

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Soaked it in oil and squeezed it into the pores then tapped it into position.

 

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Fitted the fly wheel and lock tighten the bolts and torqued them up.

 

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Marty

[claysummers]

Must feel pretty good Marty 8) 8)

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[sibhs]

Must feel pretty good Marty 8) 8)

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Hi Clay, feel like I'm getting my Mojo back. This wet weather is actually giving me more time on the car.

 

Prepped and masked up the bits I've just bolted on.

 

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Got the heater warming up the paint and bits.

 

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Sprayed the front and added some over spray to the bell housing.

 

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Fitted the pulley and fan.

 

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Bolted on the manifolds and carby.

 

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Fitted the clutch and bell housing.

 

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Please excuse that poxy fuel pump, just using that until I get the real one sorted.  Now I'm just waiting on the gearbox to be recond which will hopefully be ready in a couple of weeks.

 

Marty

Edited by sibhs, 05 June 2023 - 05:08 PM.

[claysummers]

Nothing like bolting stuff together. Detail is horn. If only they put an original type knurled nut on those things, but no it's plastico.

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[bat 53]

marty my water pump pully is painted 

 

feels good when we bolt things together  

looking good