Its finally in etch prime! Woohoo

[damienengland]

I report today with a heavy heart, alas Vombil and others are right. My chassis needs to be stripped back and started again. I spent some time with my panel shop this morning as i picked up my chassis. He looked closer at its paint job and pronounced it dead...or more specifically shit house! After choking for an hour or so, I have now committed to another sandblast and respray to get it right. Luckily a blast shop around the corner said they can do it, including 2pak epoxy primer for under $500 bucks and my panel shop have taken pity on me and offered to paint it in 2pak black for free after the blast, if i just pay for the paint. I think i might have gotten off this hook lightly. Advice to all, if your doing an over the top, ground up restoration, don't dick around with what's underneath, it will bite you on the arse. Anyway, pics of my chassis back home today


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[Vombil]

glad there is a +ve outcome! It's always worth critiquing the advice ie does the person offering it have a vested interest?

[SLR_dave]

Looking like its gonna be good though!

[damienengland]

Looking like its gonna be good though!

Thanks Guys, a bit more today. I have dropped the drive train in, so now i can sort out some custom brackets up front and start getting all the bolt on engine bits powder coated etc. Although it will be coming out again to return to the panel shop, it was good to see it move into place seamlessly. It felt like progress. Couple of pics below.

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[RAEME]

What's the custom brackets for?

[damienengland]

What's the custom brackets for?

I want to position my AC compressor, charge alternator and power steering pump as low and as neat as possible, including how best to do the belts etc (conventional vs Gilmer?). The overhead mount for Holden AC compressors has always bothered me and i want to tuck everything away. Been doing some solid research today and i might be able to fiddle with a couple of LH Torana low mount alternator brackets to get these out of the way.

Got any ideas?

[Vombil]

would v8 vn-vt commodore stuff work?

[wbute]

Sounds like a nightmare when something plays up.

[RAEME]

I like the way the small block Chev engines have their power steer pumps mounted. Don't think that will work easy with a Holden V8. I think you might have to explore Vombils suggestion. Would be cool if you could mount one of those serpentine front mount conversions.

[damienengland]

Hey guys. Yes some good ideas here. I have looked at things from a few angles yesterday and concluded that the best way forward is to remove the factory fan and cowling and replace them with thermofan setup. I can Locate my alternator low on drivers side and fit power steering pump just above. This frees up the lower passenger side of the engine to fit the AC compressor. It will be a modern Sanden compressor so will be smaller than the original unit. A serpentine belt would finish it off nicely for a clean look. I looked at the 5ltr EFI setups and from what i read, the compressor wont fit drivers side because of the steering box. Anyway, an idea below

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