2118 replies to this topic

[Heath]

It's a neoprene conversion for obviously a rope block. I don't have the part number (supplied in an empty box with a premium price intentionally lol). Without going into too much detail, I believe this part should work well but it certainly is NOT working well for me. I wish I just put the rope in lol. Motor has to come out - big time!

[eyepeeler]

Not good you have to pull the motor out, that's a bit depressing.

[Heath]

Ah well, that's cars. I'd like to get it out of the way and done with, but my Datsun is in a million bits and I need to focus my effort there.

[Statler]

Thanks for changing the mirrors.

[Heath]

Had to move out of my factory in a hurry, so quickly got the Torana running, yanked the motor out, fixed the speedo gear, shifter & sump gasket, adjusted the rockers again and chucked it back in.

Rear main was okay. Still got rocker cover leaking problems, will try a rubber gasket on that one soon.

[myss427]

My steering column and rack is the same as you described. Had a hardened 5/8th steel rod made up with ends turned down to fit the universals, been in the car over 10 years and no signs of ware. Also I moved the column over at the base an inch and a half closer to the engine for more extractor clearance, made no difference to the steering wheel position inside the car.

[Heath]

Hi Matt, sorry for such a slow response. I made that one using 4130 because I had access to some. I kinda doubt the standard Torana one is anything too exotic hahaha

[Heath]

Well obviously this thread hasn't been updated in a while. Since posting last I've bought a new daily/work car which I've been having fun with.

 

 

And the Torana has been in storage for a few months. I found another spot where I can pay to work on it, so I pulled it out, got it running and now it's coming off the road properly. I didn't buy it to have another six (very regrettable/unsatisfying engine build two pages back) or to have a UC hatch. Time to get serious!

 

 

Looking a little different after last night's effort

 

There is a For Sale thread for the whole red custom interior, every part of the car that is UC-specific, bumpers, guards, grill, bonnet, lights, and nearly everything on the car will be available in time. 

[Heath]

Yeah well this is kinda the car I've wanted to build for a fair while now... hopefully having a spot in this workshop will enable it to happen. Was close to buying various houses this year so I could build a garage to do it, but now that can wait!

 

I don't have a time frame in mind; I wanna put in some pretty serious hours but I'd like to go for a pretty high quality result too. It will be Holden V8 powered and manual as I still haven't grown a vagina. Not going to give away all of my plans yet though. For now I pretty obviously need to focus on sheet metal work.

 

[Neils LX]

I havent been updating pics on here much atm, i taking it you are doing UC/LX conversion. Are you removing innerskirts as well or doing it Dirtbag style?

Looking good.

[Heath]

I havent been updating pics on here much atm, i taking it you are doing UC/LX conversion. Are you removing innerskirts as well or doing it Dirtbag style?

Looking good.

 

I was really on the fence about which way to go. I've gone ott308's style... probably just because I was looking at his thread most recently before I did it. I'm not sure if I'd do it this way again? Don't have a strong argument either way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excuse the low quality photos.

[madtoranajzedded]

gee you've done that well heath,thats cut to the mm lol.id say its worked out well

 

admire your work bud

 

 

Maz

[Heath]

Thanks Maz. Honestly all of the conversions that I've seen on here appear to be of a really good quality - mine is certainly nothing special. Still the front clip came on and off probably 30 times for measuring & adjusting. The main plan was to get it accurate enough so I can take my TIG down to the factory tomorrow and do the long welds with that. Will see how we go!

Edited by Heath, 28 December 2014 - 10:58 PM.

[wot179]

Great work, Heath.

[Heath]

Hahaha a 308 doesn't seem as thrilling as it used to, driving a modified JZX100 every day.

 

I made a mistake when I was cutting the two pieces and left a little void above the hinges, the repair is a little messier in that area. Otherwise quite happy.

 

Dusted the cobwebs off the TIG this morning and gave it a birthday, went down to a 1.6mm electrode, collet, #5 nozzle, 1.6mm steel filler, new lenses for the helmet etc. Also first time with the pedal which was good!

 

 

 

 

 

[GMHAz]

Looking good Heath, actually your UC hatch is the only one I like except for the poxy rims you have on it
But it's going to look so much better LXed

Az

[Heath]

Thanks mate. What I'm proud of/impressed with at the moment is my dedication to treating the construction of this car like a full time job for this time I've got off work. Very much like your approach Darren!

 

Got heaps done today. Very happy.

 

I was going to make the landings in the engine bay out of cardboard covered with bog.

 

But then I decided steel may be a better material?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Heath, 30 December 2014 - 10:01 PM.