Effie tidy up...

[Astro]

As you may or may not know, I bought Ash's 76 effie last year.
It's a '76 LHD SWB FE 390 C6 10 footer body.
The body I'm ok with, it needs some panel alignment, no major rust.
Looking for reliability, we've done a fair bit of mechanical tidying up but have had a number of issues in two areas:

Firstly the engine - will do a compression test in the next week or so but it feels like it needs a freshen up. Pulled down, cleaned up and rebuilt stock or close to.
It had a 2V carb and inlet manifold on it but now has a 4V inlet manifold and a new 650 Holley - Duraspark ignition, a newer but smaller alloy rad with elec fan and a digital read inside for the rad and block temp. Has been ok but really needs the OEM size rad again which I have but it needs to be re cored.

The other thought is what other (later model) engine could I look at? There is a shitload of room in the 'bay believe me.

The second area is the wiring - it is a birds nest that is driving me nuts, thinking about ripping it out and starting again. It's a fairly simple vehicle so really shouldn't be too hard if I start with a wiring loom - I do have a local auto sparky who I can call on.

I have the coupe build going on with SP currently, so I would like to keep the budget real with the effie.

What are your thoughts?

Cheers

J

Will post some pics when the internet works...

[Pinto-Pete]

460, JR..

[boofhead]

I like the way Pinto is thinking.... go big and lazy.

[Astro]

Is that the 390 stroked or a different beast all together?

Cheers

J

[Shaunp]

Is that the 390 stroked or a different beast all together?

Cheers

J

No not an FE, 460 is a later bigblock like from Lincoln continentals and stuff, they are better and actually litter then an FE.

[Astro]

I'm thinking about trying something different:


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FORD-FALCON- ... ake%3AFord

Lighter - plenty of power, 4 sp auto trans good for highway running.

Looks like I'm going to have to join an effie site to see what fits and what doesn't.

Like this too:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FORD-FALCON- ... SwAYtWQcvs

Cheers

J

[Shaunp]

Nah you are over thinking it, we'll freshen the 390, put hard seats in the heads for unleaded, blend the bowls a bit put a small Extreme energy cam in it and call it done.

By the way problem number 532 on the 65 when you put a 351 in it is the Maier brace wont clear the distributor, on the bright side after buying the alloy crank pulley spacer and then have to get it machined and custom bush made to suit the SFI rated Trickflow balancer it looks like the belts may line up now. Should have built a 347 for it.

[boofhead]

Can the brace get bent a little to fit it?

Alternatively, put the 351 in the truck, sell the boat anchor 390 for some extra cash, get a 289/302 (early block is my preference but take what is goo and cheap) and since I am clearing out the garage (spring cleaning) purchase all the major bits from me for a kick ass 347 (assuming SP is OK with it).

BTW: I had been planning this 347 for some time slowly getting the parts I carefully selected -- but I am happy to clear it as it help me out as well.

[Astro]

What do you think SP?

Swap you for the wheels Boof - with cash back to me

Cheers

J

[Shaunp]

Can the brace get bent a little to fit it?

Alternatively, put the 351 in the truck, sell the boat anchor 390 for some extra cash, get a 289/302 (early block is my preference but take what is goo and cheap) and since I am clearing out the garage (spring cleaning) purchase all the major bits from me for a kick ass 347 (assuming SP is OK with it).

BTW: I had been planning this 347 for some time slowly getting the parts I carefully selected -- but I am happy to clear it as it help me out as well.

No mate the brace is dead in the middle of the cap, thought about lifting the brace 10mm with some alloy packers but then the bonnet wont close. I think we may just have to go with a normal Export brace and bent rally bar. gone to far with the 351 now to turn back. That was with a MSD Pro billet I got for Rod's 408, he has the Mallory Comp 42 from the 408 which is lower and may work, just needs a new module & cap, if Astro is ok to give that a try. You cant buy the mallory's now but you can get the repair bitts through MSD for them.


Anyway I've got first dibbs on your bits boofs !!!

[cage]

I'll take them Boof

[Astro]

I have the AA loom for the effie.

Plan is to pull the crap one out and get the new one in

myself and have either Dono or a local sparky finish it off.

Looking for tips on making the job easier and how to go about it.

Or do I simply remove the old loom without marking and replace it

with the AA loom as it comes from the box?

Cheers

J

[Pinto-Pete]

Tip no 1 get Dono to do it...

[nassi]

Mate, it can't be that hard.... Mine only came with 5 wires and none of them went anywhere.

[Astro]

Paid a visit to Dono's palatial workshop this morning to deliver the Effie for it's wiring makeover.

Spent 3 hours removing the old loom and dash to give him a head start - glad he has a handle on the new loom.





Thanks for giving up family time today mate

Cheers

J