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UC Torana

Started by _426_ , Apr 05 2009 03:32 PM

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#1 _426_

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Posted 05 April 2009 - 03:32 PM

I recently helped a friend and for my efforts I recieved a 4 banger Torana.

Nice little red machine with a few small dents but no rust issues... gotta love that.

The issues are:
I already have my hands full with other projects,
The UC is not my first preference of Toranas... ugly taillights and grill,
and I know very little about Toranas. and what I can do with it.

Posted Image

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#2 _Lamo_

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Posted 05 April 2009 - 08:33 PM

Looks like a very good starter. If you don't like the features of the UC, others have changed the front and rear with the LH/X shape and it looks quite easy too.

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#3 _ToranaGuy_

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Posted 05 April 2009 - 11:39 PM

It looks like a tidy starting platform, yeah i guess it's a pitty it's a UC, but it could be worse, it could be a UC full of rust! :fool:

One thing the UC tail lights have going for it, i reckon it doesn't look too hard to come up with a custom lense that bolts on like the stock one, just think of what you could do with them!

Cheers

ToranaGuy

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#4 Heath

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Name:Heath
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Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
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Posted 06 April 2009 - 09:36 AM

Looking at that photo I would say it looks very straight; it would kinda be a shame to hack up the bodywork to change lights but each to their own. I don't think anyone starts off liking UCs but they grow on people quite quickly once you start seeing nice examples.

Introduce yourself a bit more; what other projects do you have etc?

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#5 _426_

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Posted 06 April 2009 - 06:55 PM

Although I've never been huge on Toranas I've alsways had a quite appreciation for the LX sedans as they are so indicative of the 70's.
Plus a small block GM 8 in a small car has its appeal for sure.

The UC, although not so 70's looking, still has the same cool profile and is still quite nice in the way of shape, however the grill is too 80's, it looks like the bustard son of a Vauxhall Victor and a WB... and I HATE sqaure headlights.
The tailghts are too BIG and bulky. There's no sexyness to them at all.

I'm too much of a purist to cut n shut LX sheet metal to it.
If the car is a keeper it MUST have a custom grill and tail lights. ADR lights that look good might be hard to come by though.

Gave the car a thorough going over today and found a few more minor bits off rust but I am still impressed on how clean the car is.

Other projects are:
Dastun 200B SSS Coupe
Toyota T18 (to be partners daily)
and my pride and joy 76 VK Dodge Sportspack ute.
I LOVE my MoPars

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#6 _426_

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Posted 09 April 2009 - 08:40 PM

Sadly the UC will not a be a project fpr a reason that is beyond explaination.

I would have really loved to have done a Torana... an Aussie classic.. An Aussie legend.

:cry:

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#7 Heath

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Posted 09 April 2009 - 09:38 PM

Beyond explanation... sounds kinda serious and probably unfortuante. Does that mean we won't see you again?

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#8 LX2DR

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Posted 09 April 2009 - 11:40 PM

Easy answer!

Buy an LX and carve up the UC for parts :tease:

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#9 _426_

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Posted 10 April 2009 - 06:53 AM

Beyond explanation... sounds kinda serious and probably unfortuante. Does that mean we won't see you again?

Just because I can't build one, doesn;t mean I can't appriciate them here :spoton:

Just been enjoying your LX thread.

Easy answer!

Buy an LX and carve up the UC for parts

What have been nice but the machine willl be finding a new home soon.

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#10 Heath

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Posted 10 April 2009 - 10:52 AM

Sounds good to me. Will I keep my eyes out for an LH/LX project for sale? haha

Where in Melbourne are you from btw?

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#11 _426_

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Posted 10 April 2009 - 12:13 PM

Near Cranbourne.

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#12 _426_

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Posted 11 April 2009 - 10:26 PM

Sadly the machine is offically up for sale which is quite disappointing.
Everytime I walk past or see out the window I imagine it done up nicely with a 2 fluffy in the engine bay ... ready to cruise.
I love the small wheel in the big GM wheel arches and that great 70's GM body shape.

Now all can hope for is that it goes to another good home.

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#13 Heath

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Posted 12 April 2009 - 10:24 AM

I think I'm gonna cry... :cry:

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#14 _426_

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Posted 13 April 2009 - 06:40 PM

No need to cry as there has been a change of plan.

It appears that the other halfs issue with the beast was it seemlingly being too much work.

So let the project begin.

Rust repairs, which means thorough removal, weld in repair sections, then PLENTY of POR15.

And

Replacing current engine, which means finding a good working Starfire for now.

Plus minor issues such as Carpet, dash controls, parker lences.

Anyone got said parts let me know.

Once its reged, its paint time... Then engine time.

:clap:

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#15 _Bomber Watson_

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Posted 13 April 2009 - 06:58 PM

Why spend money on starfireness???

For the price of a motor and box you can bolt in a six or an eight...

Looks good either way mate.

Cheers.

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#16 Heath

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Posted 13 April 2009 - 09:29 PM

Yeah I would suggest you plonk a six banger in there because it costs so little and it a much more appropriate motor for the vehicle

Anyway, that's awesome news

I picked up a UC parker/indicator assembly from Centre Rd for bugger all with no cracks, just on Saturday. And I think there was at least one good driver's one left over, but probably one of each. Otherwise eBay is probably a good way to go for them and dash knobs etc if that's what you're after

Carpet mmm if you want new (not too expensive) there are plenty of options. You might get second hand but it's kinda doubtful

Got msn?

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#17 _426_

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Posted 13 April 2009 - 09:59 PM

I'm going with the starfire for now simpley because it would be quicker, cheaper and easier to change just the engine than replacing the entire drivetrain. I'm guessing if i change to a 6 i'll need a box and tail shaft too.

Good old Centre rd, they seem to have everything, cheers for the heads up.
If new is available and not too $$$ they may be an option too.
Indicator stalk... fixed.
Horn... not hard to fix.
other A.M knobs and wires... to be removed.

New carpet... $120.

As for MSN, got it but I just installed the new version, now all I get is "error code 80080005"... stupid crap.

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#18 _426_

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Posted 14 April 2009 - 09:16 AM

In the famous words of Jamie Hyneman...

"there's your problem"

Posted Image

OUCH!

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#19 Heath

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Posted 14 April 2009 - 09:41 AM

That'd do it...

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#20 _426_

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Posted 14 April 2009 - 08:22 PM

Good day today... worked on the house, got the T18 in poly, organised the pick up of my new Chrysler ute AND sussed out the dodgey AM wiring.

People that don't know how to do wiring should try. Firstly.. NO electrical tape... solder and heat shrink FFS!!!
For some crazy reason, someones idea of fixing the horn relay was to cut the horn wire near the horn, run a new wire into the the car, bypass the fuse and hardwire the horn to a toggle switch they drilled into the dash.
Stupid... the long way around.

:blink:

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#21 _426_

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Posted 18 April 2009 - 12:35 PM

Good news. I should have a 202 on the way. engine upgrade!

:spoton:

Once I have the engine I can start getting the car tidy.
I'm quite looking forwards to driving this machine... I hate driving modern cars!!!!

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#22 Heath

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Posted 18 April 2009 - 01:20 PM

lol I think you sig can be changed then. Will you need one of those exhaust manifolds? I have extractors too if that is what you're after.

Cheers

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#23 _426_

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Posted 18 April 2009 - 01:55 PM

lol I think you sig can be changed then. Will you need one of those exhaust manifolds? I have extractors too if that is what you're after.

Cheers

Cheers Heath for the offer, I'll have to see what it comes with. apparently it has extractors, so hopfully a little love with the mig will be enough for now... we'll see.

Yes I should change my sig but...
A ) I don't have the new engine yet
B ) it took me some time to make that sig so i may as well use it.

:spoton:

Edited by 426, 18 April 2009 - 01:56 PM.

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#24 _426_

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Posted 20 April 2009 - 06:22 PM

Sig changed to a Mitch Hedberg quote.

:spoton:

Although this 2 weeks is flatout house work time ie, patching,sandin painting, laying floorboards, I still managed to get some minor work done on the UC today.

Pulled the engine, popped the rear window and sorted the rust.
Next i'm going to hit the window area with some POR15, then i'm going to Uri the window in. Window rubbers equal rust... no thanks.

I managed to set the under lay on fire too.