HJ Premier work

**HK1837** · 11-10-2011, 07:42 AM

Took the TH400 out yesterday. I'd forgotton how heavy these damn things are. Even with the 2 pole hoist, transmission jack and air ratchet making it easy I went to pick it up off the trannsmission jack to put it in the ute and it was too damn heavy. Had to use the fork to pick it up!

Dropped the box into the transmission shop for a clean, service and new seals.

Bought some new welch plugs for the back of the motor.

And started the task of cleaning all the cr@p off under the car. It is amazing what a few rags and some thinners can do for 35+ years of grime, even takes off the cheap black paint someone has sprayed all over everything. It'll still take a fair few hours of cleaning just for the areas undcovered by removal of the box and gearbox crossmember.

When I took the exhaust off two of the manifold studs snapped, tried to get them out with locking vice grips but no good. Looks like they have to come off too, so I might change the welch plugs on the side too whilst the manifolds and box are out.

I was also scratching my head how to hold the back of the engine as the hoist had to be able to be dropped 12" or so for the transmission jack to reach the box. I ended up using a small ratchet strap under the sump with either end anchored around the lower control arms rear bushes. Works beaut!

Once the welch plugs are fixed, box and associated stuff back in, radiator back in it is off to the exhaust shop for a single 2.5" system (manifolds back) and pink slip for club rego!

**wbute** · 11-10-2011, 08:18 AM

I can see this small transmission project growing HK lol. First exhaust studs and next it will complete strip down.......

**HK1837** · 11-10-2011, 10:29 AM

No chance, it doesn't need it! The only reason the box came out was to fix the rear welch plugs. I'm just spending the pre-cautionary money on the box to change the 35 year old converter and tailshaft yoke seals, and getting it serviced whilst out. I was also going to get a recoed torque converter too, but I got Dominator to build one with a slightly increased stall to compensate for the 2.78:1 diff. I got the radiator cleaned whilst it was out as well. Exhaust is getting changed as it has the original on it still and it is tiny. The only other mechanical thing it needs is to replace the lower balljoints, original were changed in 1991 but replacement rubbers have perished. I bought some NOS HQ/HJ (with small shock hole) lower control arms with original bushes and balljoints so a simple bolt in (well as simple as replacing lower control arms is with original springs - not!).

Then the remaining things to do are:

Pull the POS Holley off and bolt on a correct 1974 HQ Quaddy, original unrestored aircleaner, NOS heater tap and the original paint rocker covers that came from the 'goat.
Put on the set of repro mudflaps.
Once she's all up and going i'll put some GTS rims on it with Rare Spares caps.

**Rico** · 11-10-2011, 10:39 AM

Pics please!!!! or are they already up here somewhere?

**HK1837** · 11-10-2011, 11:41 AM

They are up here on the site, here are a couple called up again:

**Rico** · 11-10-2011, 11:51 AM

mmmm very nice. Thats nica cara!

**thatotherguy** · 11-10-2011, 05:40 PM

My son has a HQ prem with 253 and twin system and my van has a 350 with single system and extractors the van sounds crap and the prem sounds great i dont think i will have a single system again

**HK1837** · 11-10-2011, 07:26 PM

308's sound heaps better as a single with the right muffler. Duals cackle too much.

**adam perth** · 14-10-2011, 11:56 PM

i have often sold / brought cars minus gearbox only and ratchet tie down the harmonic balancer to the front sway bar to keep it level and the Dizzy from smashing and the engine ripping off the rubber mounts.

The x2 exhaust manifold flange bolts are easier to do when the engine has been running and are hot. - they squeek and squeel but WD 40 does the trick.

Don't forget a new top hat rubber for your dipstick tube! - these sometimes are not in the kit.

you may want to put the original mushroom trans vacc modulator on the shelf and get an adjustable one, they make the T400 work so nice, especially 20- 30 Km/h through roundabouts with your 2.78 diff.

have you got your RS caps yet??? you have to glue the lion onto the cap when you get home. Surely there are better iones around. I have a set 18 months old are are already pitting.

it would be nice to work on a car so original...

**HK1837** · 15-10-2011, 09:28 AM

I've worked on plenty of original cars, but this one is not only original, it is like a car less than 10 years old in most areas. It has the same kM as my CV8 which was bought new in 2/2003 and it is about the same in most areas, just a bit oilier in some spots. With some degreaser and elbow grease the tranny looks new. I've been rubbing thinners on the underside of the floor and the paint under the grime and newer paint looks great.