45 replies to this topic

[76lxhatch]

A bit of an update, added a stiffening rib to the inside of the cross member under the scallop for the pinion, probably doesn't need it but won't hurt either.







Also welded in a new lower brace for the driver side engine mount to replace the one I cut off but still clear the rack.

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:39 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Found some suitable boots, because the rack is so close to the cross member they need to be reasonably small diameter


Painted everything up and fitted for hopefully the last time




Next step is to build a bracket for the pump, then lastly dummy up a block and head and get the lines sorted.

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:39 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Pump mount is almost sorted, just need to add some bracing and make it look pretty. Uses a standard Holden 6 fan belt


Not sure about the reservoir yet, might attach it to the pump mount bracket something like this, but its fairly big and stands out more than I hoped (you wouldn't notice the pump on first glance as its quite low so it would be nice if the whole installation wasn't too obvious)


As luck would have it, a Commodore high pressure line fits nicely with only major modifications... (forgot to take a photo with the mockup block and head)


Going to run the return line around the front of the radiator with one of those finned straight tube coolers

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:39 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Black is always an option, as long as its not chrome! I have the square style VK one (that normally sits on the inner guard) too but the cap has gone missing. Maybe I can make something, it doesn't need to be quite as big since the cooler will add capacity

[76lxhatch]

The pressure line for the rack uses an oddball size banjo fitting which I couldn't seem to find, it needed a weird angle anyway so I made a flare nut adapter out of a hex nut and an old hose end


which allowed me to finish up the pressure line and mount it


Final test fit with the pump dummied up


everything clears fine around the engine mount, you can see where the return line pops out here too


A few pieces need a bit of a tidy up, then I need to make time to fit to the car. Will do the return line/cooler and reservoir once installed. I want to drive the car next couple of weekends so will probably be after that.

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:40 PM.

[76lxhatch]

El cheapo trans cooler, no good for a transmission but should be OK for the power steering

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:40 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Reservoir, will be painted black (just needs to be mounted once pump installed properly)



As soon as I find the time and enthusiasm its time to pull the car to bits and install the new parts

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:40 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Got the cross member in today, and the rack fits as intended which I'm quite happy about

The near side bracket and the fitting on the far side are either side of the sump, not under it. I can almost fit my fingers between the sump and the rack so it has about the same clearance as the original, plenty :-)

The pump etc all seems to fit OK too, I'm definitely going to have to paint that cap black

You can see the bar that the front mount sway bar attaches to in this pic also, the cooler will mount on the front of that and the line returns to the barb you can see on the reservoir. The feed to the pump and the pressure line are all attached here, you can just see them below the reservoir.

The intermediate shaft is up against the extractors when installed, so a couple of love taps should sort that out. Testing probably won't be for a while yet because I got a bit carried away with pulling the car apart, there are a few more jobs on the to-do list now...

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:40 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Nope just decided to take the punt on a cheap rack off Trademe, by some fluke the measurements all added up and it snowballed from there... :-)

[76lxhatch]

Intermediate shaft is all sorted

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:41 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Everything is now hooked up


Once I get the exhaust sorted I'll run it up and check for leaks

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:41 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Murphy's law... I didn't think the factory fittings would be an issue but turns out one of the two sitting between the pinion and cross member is leaking :-(

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:41 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Fixed the leak with an expensive custom made adapter hose, bit of a pain but everything's sorted now.

Just took it for a tentative run around the block... no issues, feels pretty good!

[TerrA LX]

Good work, well done mate.

[76lxhatch]

Thanks, put in a few more laps and all seems well. I can easily turn the wheel with one hand but it still has a fair amount of weight/feel to it which I'm quite pleased with, don't like numb or overly light steering.

[76lxhatch]

Something to top it all off:

Edited by 76lxhatch, 21 July 2017 - 10:41 PM.