Matts 1968 Vauxhall Victor Estate FD

[vauxhallmatt]

So here's my 1968 Vauxhall Victor Estate FD wagon. My dream car. She used to be a runner when I first got it (17 y/o) and I have since never driven such a beautiful car, Since then she continually broke down until I could no longer afford to fix her up. She is in dry storage at the moment and is waiting for me to throw some cash at her to fix her up (have another daily driver which has been chewing my cash). She was bought off a close family friend.

Discuss here //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/40678-matts-cheviot-turbos-and-his-68-victor/?hl=victor

 

Specs;

ENGINE: 3.3, 6 Cylinder, OHV unit

GEARBOX: 4 speed, Laycock, J type overdrive

CARBURETTOR: Zenith Downdraught - modified

ENGINE PERFORMANCE: 145HP

MAXIMUM SPEED (I can testify to this): 120mph

PETROL CONSUMPTION:

(with o/d) 22mpg around town

35mpg open road

STEERING: Ventora 1 power steering

WHEELS: 205 x 60 x 13 Cheviot Turbo mags

DIMENSIONS: Length 4.5 metres, Width 1.8 metres, Height 1.4 metres, Weight 1.2 tons (approx)

MODIFICATIONS:

Custom alloy tappet cover, Completely rewired and remodernised headlight system, full modification of front and rear brakes and suspension, heavy duty gas rear shocks with neoprene bushing, fully customised exhaust system with 3 into 1 HPC coated extractors. Full repaint Restoration of carpets, dash upholstry. 

 

Assembled at Vauxhall motors, Luton England, then shipped to Canada 1970-1973, owners shipped it to NZ with them when coming over. 2-3 owners between then and me. 

 

No rust. Body straight as apart from one minor dent. Engine is immaculate looking.

 

Breakdowns;

Power steering is leaking from both ends of the racket, needs reconditioned. 

Had an electrical fire at one point, lights, gauges etc no longer work. 

Fuel pump died and electronics fuel pump installed.

Exhaust mounts broke, and had remounted + swapped the tips to twin 3" straight pipes out the back. 

 

At present she is sitting in dry storage waiting till I have enough cash to fix her up. I've been suggested to change the motor, from RB30DET, a modern holden engine, to a crate motor brand new, but I'd like to keep her original (though If i had the cash, a crate motor would be awesome). Last time I had a go at getting her started, Spark wasn't getting to the sparkplugs. I turn her over every now and then to make sure she hasn't seized and will eventually fix her up once i'm finished at Uni and have extra cash.. 

 

 

 

 

Will post some better pics when I get a chance

[vauxhallmatt]

So.. can't stand not having this up and running. Am commencing (very slow) work on it, will post with updates, including pics and vids and stuff once she's going

 

First update. Complete exterior clean and assess.. 

Breaks have seized few spots of minor surface rust, a little bit of worrying surface rust. One Tyre won't hold air. 

 

Here's a rough idea of how I plan to go about it (some are just dreams, this will probably take me years) ** & would like to ask some advice from forum members;

 

Pre-starting;

Completely tidy the interior, assess,

 

1. Problem/s: Won't start, no spark getting to sparkplugs, Bonnet latch cable broken, Electronic fuel pump installed needs to be wired to igt power, tyre needs replacing (can't find locknut key!! :/) - Either get a mobile mechanic out, or towtruck it to a mechanic and get these problems sorted so it is driveable. estimated cost = ?

 

2. Electronics burnt out, gauges/lights not going - Auto-electrician, get completely rewired, replace lights etc if blown. estimated cost = 3-400

 

3. Power steering leaking from both ends up of the racket - Power steering specialist, get reconditioned. estimated cost - 400

 

4. Assess, clean, try for a Wof

 

5. (far future - not in any particular order)

roof rack removed and holes stopped up

complete panel, surface rust fix, and re-paint (not sure on colour yet)

refurbish interior

new mags

professionally tinted

dropped maybe 30mm

engine replace to something with more power... 350 chev maybe (far far far distant future)

 

Questions for forum members;

 

For first lot of work Mobile mechanic or get it Towtrucked to one? Any suggestions? (prefer cheap but quality, still a student, got a bit of cash saved though) (Hamilton/Waikato)

 

Eventual colour? 

 

Cheers

 

Pics (a few generations of megapixels in phones later..) >

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vauxhallmatt]

Up and going now! new ignition coil, distributor rotor, have got new leads and sparkplugs haven't put them in yet, Also picked up a bosch dizzy for cheap from a 202 but it looks like I won't need it. front brakes unseized, still need to find a locknut key.. but have a few ideas how to get them off... next step bonnet latch cable fixed, then to auto electrician for rewiring (from fire years ago that took out some of the electronics) 

Noted. power steering pump squealing on full lock either way. sound from diff driver rear when engaging first gear... 
 

[vauxhallmatt]

Wow, it's been a long time since an update. She is completely road legal now. 

 

In no particular order;

Auto Electrician work all done (and then... driving at 100kmph pitch black, fuses suddenly blow and I have no lights queue heart attack, might choose another auto electrician next time)

Radiator reconditioned

Waterpump Reconditioned

Master brake cylinder Reconditioned

Brakes bled

Compression tested

Full service

Fuel pump rebuilt and recond

fuel line replaced

Gauges checked and panel repainted

etc etc can't remember. 

 

Photo!;

 

 

[vauxhallmatt]

All the work done so far.. and keeping going... ;

Done so far; (1-12-13 -> 15-02-14)

Replaced Ignition coil (testing bad)
Replaced Distributor Rotor
Fixed snapped bonnet release cable
Fixed choke cable
Unseized front brakes
Electrical system rewired, 1 headlight replaced
Replaced alternator (fried)
Fixed rear view mirror
Fixed side mirror
Replaced core plugs (after one blew) - (Favona Automotive)
Replaced Fuel line (as was splitting)
Compression Tested (160 all 6 cyl) 
Transmission Tested - (Favona Automotive)
WOF Passed
Water pump overhauled - (Favona Automotive)
Block Pressure flushed out - (Favona Automative)
Sparkplugs cleaned & gapped - (Favona Automotive)
Brake Master Cylinder removed and reconditioned - (Favona Automotive)
& Brakes 
Fuel Pump reconditioned - (Favona Automotive)
Engine tuned on tune scope - (Favona Automotive)
Radiator reconditioned, repainted - (Favona Automotive)
REG

(16-02-14 onwards)

Oil Change & Moreys added
Tightened all sump bolts.
Dash gauge lights fixed (Though will need further rewiring later)
Removed bull bar mounts (found a 1.5l sprite bottle of water that was the cause of a sound that had worried me rolling round under the boot tray)
Repainted dash gauge mount, rewired/tidied up
Repainted two doors where paint was flaking 
Mounted Ignition coil properly
Replaced crankshaft seal which was a major cause of oil leak and in doing so found engine was missing oil slinger (old seal probly ok lol), sourced and replaced, regasketed crankshaft cover, Now no oil leaks from front of block.
Adjusted clutch cable
Replaced harmonic balancer
Sorted tappet side cover gasket, soon to be replaced to stop oil leaks.
Purchased new cobys, will get welded on soon
Replaced tappet side spring gasket. 
Replaced rocker cover gasket & detailed rocker cover. 

Stored 10 June. Resume work after winter. 

After Winter!! 28-11-14:

Tinted 35% all round
Electronic distributor & new racing coil fitted
New air filter
Oil change & Filter
Side gasket & rocker cover gasket replaced
Windscreen wiper fixed
Gearbox leak fixed & bung replaced
<Turned into a big job of removing gearbox and drilling new hole for new sump plug as gearbox bung is... well and ... truly ... in there> 
Full Tune
Repainted & Polished rocker cover
Summer WOF

Queue some more photos soon