Tortoise build

[ozcrusier]

I'm at that crossroad again chappo whether to buy the 79 chassis and start from a bare frame and build from there. If I go this route the truck will be a basket case with a 78 cab 79 chassis and 1980 H engine. I have a huge galvanising plant very close to me so I'm keen to have a chat to a few of the boys who work at the plant. My plans are galvanising the chassis and tub and maybe all the panels and put up with all the buckles from the molten gal heat.

PS
Mate you're always welcome to bring a few beers around to my work shop. If you bring the truck I will take you beach fishing and show the truck some of the best fire trails on the great dividing range.

 

[chappohj47]

If you have the money and the time I would say 79 chassis and gal but if you want the truck original keep it that way as for gal on the panels do it I reckon get it galvanised green would last for ages

 

[chappohj47]

I have seen some of the tracks from up there on 4wd action would love to do some

 

[ozcrusier]

I got stuck into the truck today striping the plumbing, mechanical and wiring to lift the engine and box out. All I have to do before pulling the engine is the 4 speed shifter and H/L shifter and the handbrake cable. I suppose the photos look the same from a few days ago but after spending 6 hours today rolling around under the truck in 36 years off grease and grime it deserved a mention.

 

[chappohj47]

Keep it up mate it's getting there

 

[ozcrusier]

I finished pulling the f engine today so I'm all smiles getting rid of the gas guzzler

 

[chappohj47]

There's a lot of room there now

 

[ozcrusier]

This is as far as the build is going in strip down mode as the tub and chassis being done in gal is beyond my build funds.

 

[ozcrusier]

I spent a hour degreasing the 36 year old gearbox who said oil and dirt don't preserve stuff. I got it 90% clean before running out of degreaser. I need another 6 pack to finish the gearbox and start on the engine bay and front chassis rails.

 

[chappohj47]

That's one clean gearbox and transfer case looks good after so many years

 

[ozcrusier]

I put another 6 pack of degreaser over the old girl today and there's still plenty of grease and grime under the truck. I'm working it off layer by layer but the mix of dirt and oil has preserved everything it has been covering over the last 36 years. I might spray the ute with thick hot grease when its finished and then drive on dusty roads for a few years to preserve. LOL who needs gal when you got oil and mud .

 

[chappohj47]

Mate nice work on that so clean now

 

[ozcrusier]

Spent the day degreasing and cleaning between the chassis rails with compressed air and a high pressure washer. Its slow going but I'm still working on the grease and grime. I wish I had room in the work shop but its full of motorcycles. I'm trying to get a 20ft container to put beside the shed so I can store all my bikes and make room for the 45 rebuild.

 

[ozcrusier]

Some pics of todays work on the 45 the h engine mount just came out of the vinegar and the 1980 front leaf plates and U bolts are going into the to be cleaned from rust and paint.

 

[cruisermatt]

Sweet Commando, my dad is currently restoring an 850 in BRG.

 

[ozcrusier]

Thanks the Norton is a 1972 combat roadster I brought about 20 year back I done mild restore and rode it for a couple years before parking her up.

I mated the fj45 box to the H engine today with no problems. Its so easy to do standing next to the engine and box instead of laying under the truck stuffing around with a gearbox jack.

 

[ozcrusier]

I started fitting my engine mounts and have a few questions regarding the rear gearbox mount isolators on a hj45. I have two isolators from my 1980 hj45 and they were mounted on the bolt to frame engine mount top and bottom and nothing on the other mount. According to my parts manual there should be one on each mount. There is nothing in the chassis and body manuals or the H engine and supplement manuals regarding engine mounts. I will need to put one in a lathe to open up the recession to fit the engine mount. Did any of you guys have this problem or even have them on your H engine mounts.

 

[ozcrusier]

Its been raining all day so I spent the day in the shed.
I decided the parts manual must be correct I put the insulator in the lathe and opened up the recession to except the larger engine mount. I also cleaned the faces from rust and glued the rubber cushions back on. I pulled two heater fans down and built one from the best parts as they both had problems. I will get a good plastic paint to cover it in and then add the rubber seals.

 

[ozcrusier]

I spent a few hours removing the fj45 engine mount and the next 2 1/2 days degreasing washing sanding and managed to get the first coat of rustbuster 121 epoxy mastic two pack on the outer chassis rails . I put it on with a brush and 4 inch foam roller so I will give it a week to cure and then rub it back and lay another down another coat.

 

[chappohj47]

That looks great mate good work