Fusion's Commodore project .

[Fusion]

This is my new project . A 1979 VB Commodore sedan . It was a 6cyl auto when i bought it a few months back . I am currently rebuilding a black 308 V8 and an aussie 4 speed . The motor won't be standard but not to modified either . the block is standard bore and the valves are standard size as well . I have just ordered a Crow Cam with .487 lift for both valves . I have heavy duty Crow Cam valve springs , Crane Cam anti-pump lifters , Manley chrome molly push rods , Crane Cam collets , Rollermaster double row timing gears and chain , High volume oil pump and quadrajet carbie .

Still to buy are .... Pacemaker extractors , roller rockers , electronic dizzy , fuel pump and a shotgun scoop . Still need other stuff like leads and spark plugs and some other normal stuff to get .

The car has a few little problems that are getting fixed after Easter . The front right head light section has been pushed in from a small crash by the looks of it . The only rust the car has is a small amount in the front passenger foot well , around the rear windscreen and around the rear boot seal area .

Here are some pics ........

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/229.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/230.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/231.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/232.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/233.jpg

[BigJon]

Looks like a big reassembly job coming up!

[Fusion]

Looks like a big reassembly job coming up!

That's the fun part about it :D .

I will be painting the Commodore in the new Ford green color " Dash " . The interior will be the deep red color that is found in the sl/x and sl/e models . The car will be rolling on a set of 17inch wheels ( yet to decide on the wheels as yet ) . Pedders will be my choice of suspension and also wanting a 2 1/2 inch exhaust system .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/227.jpg

[Boxhead63]

looking forward to seeing it finished.

rob

[Rangier Rover]

Here I was thinking that a Rangie or Disco underpinnings were going in:p

Looks like a big project. Make sure you stick at it and get it finished.

Does it have a name yet. I think Kermit may suit the colour:p


Tony

[Sleepy]

What else would you paint a car with the designation "VB" than Green:p?

Sounds fully-sick Mick! :BigThumb:

[Fusion]

My cam turned up today :D . so i spent most of the day in the shed putting the engine back together . slowly getting there :D .....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/86.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/87.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/88.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/89.jpg

Also cut off the front valance as it was bent up and full of filler :eek: .....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/03/90.jpg

[Fusion]

Spent a little more time on the motor today . Refitted the timing cover after forgetting to do up the bolt that holds the cam in place :oops2: . Cleaned all the bolts up with the wire wheel on the bench grinder and fitted the new water pump and sump . I now need a thermostat housing , fuel pump , electronic distributor and alternator bracket without the air con mounts on it . Going to take the starter motor to an auto electrician and get it looked at cos it looks a little rough ........

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/04/1436.jpg

[Psimpson7]

looks good:)

[Newbs-IIA]

I AM VERY JEALOUS :D :D

Stupid laws in QLD that say because i drive around with a green "P" in my window that i can't have a V8.... would have got a V8 Kingswood straight up if that was the case, oh well the ol 202 goes alright i suppose :p

[Shonky]

Same stupid laws up here Newbs... Couldn't have a RRC with 3.5, but no problems with a Fairmont Ghia with LSD and 4.0L I6... :angel:

[Treads]

Looking great Mick! :)

[Fusion]

Well I got some more work done on the commodore today . With a grinder , drill , hammer and a chisel things fall off :D:twisted: . I cut off the front radiator support panel due to it being bent and full of filler . I also took the doors off . It's amazing how quick the doors come off with the tool that was made for the job :D .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/04/1072.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/04/1073.jpg

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

Good to see that your keeping yourself hydrated there micky!!!:beer:

[2_door]

Well I got some more work done on the commodore today . With a grinder , drill , hammer and a chisel things fall off :D:twisted: . I cut off the front radiator support panel due to it being bent and full of filler . I also took the doors off . It's amazing how quick the doors come off with the tool that was made for the job :D .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/04/1072.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/04/1073.jpg


what does the door hinge tool look like mate. I once had to take the doors of a Gemini and the hinges look the same, took me ages with a punch :(

[Utemad]

what does the door hinge tool look like mate. I once had to take the doors of a Gemini and the hinges look the same, took me ages with a punch :(

When we did it to my VH many years ago we made what was essentially a slide hammer.

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

would have used a hinge pin puller???? got a few hand made ones in my box, very handy. here are some pics of my vb commo, she was a shell project

Brocky blue paint
308 motor
3inch straight through
holley carbs
updated the interior to sle, mine was only a sl
air suspension ect....

got some pics of the motor some where!!!

14749
14750

[Fusion]

what does the door hinge tool look like mate. I once had to take the doors of a Gemini and the hinges look the same, took me ages with a punch :(


When we did it to my VH many years ago we made what was essentially a slide hammer.

Yeah pretty much just a slide hammer with a thread at one end with a small piece of steel the same size as the door pin . would be easy to make but borrowing it from a panel beater was easier :D

[Fusion]

would have used a hinge pin puller???? got a few hand made ones in my box, very handy. here are some pics of my vb commo, she was a shell project

Brocky blue paint
308 motor
3inch straight through
holley carbs
updated the interior to sle, mine was only a sl
air suspension ect....

got some pics of the motor some where!!!

14749
14750

Nice car mate ;) .... love the old commodores .

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

hey mick if ya ever need any panel work just give me a bell, love to give ya a hand. :thumbsup:

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

Nice car mate ;) .... love the old commodores .

thanks mate. yeah same here, love the vb still got her in my mum and dad's shed all covered up. always tended to lean more towards the vb rather than the vh and vc's.

[Fusion]

hey mick if ya ever need any panel work just give me a bell, love to give ya a hand. :thumbsup:

Pretty lucky mate . I have all straight panels . All i need to do is rub them back . My panel beater is going to do all the painting cos i want it in show condition ;) .

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

Nice car mate ;) .... love the old commodores .

cheers mate, always tended to lean more towards the vb rather than the vh and vc's. still got her in mum and dads garage all covered up.

[Fusion]

Removed the tow bar , fuel tank and seat belts today . Glad i removed the tank as a couple of rubber hoses had splits in them .Don't need the tow bar and i don't think a show car gets any points for having one :p . All the seat belts are faded and have small frayed edges on them . Plus i will put retractable belts in the back . Not a fan of the stationary belts . I have cleaned all of the dirt and crap out of the car and have nothing left to do but get the car to the sand blasters . Hoping to get it there in the next couple of weeks :) .

[Haddo2a]

We have a one. they are a good car ado i would pefer one with boom inside!!!!:Rolling::Rolling:


haddon

[Fusion]

Been doing some thinking on how far i want to go with this commodore and seeings i'm spending a sheep load on the thing i might as well go the whole hog . I think this will be a lot of fun in the right place but will also help with the presentation with the overall look .
https://www.yearone.com/images/parts/n/NX66.jpg

Nothing like pressing a button and gaining an extra 150hp for 10 seconds :cool::twisted:

On another note i now have the shell ready for the sand blasters . I cut out an extra few brackets in the engine bay so it looks neater when it's repainted . also cleaned up around the front and rear windscreens by removing all the black glue stuff they use . Then busted out the wifes hair drier and took the pin stripes off the rear quarter panels .

[Fusion]

Pulled out the quadrajet carbie from the shelf today and thought i'd give it a clean . to be honest it looked like a ball of dirty oily grease with 4 barrels in it :D . Spent a couple of hours on it with a stiff paint brush , some petrol and a can of carbie cleaner . it come up pretty well and just have to wait for the base gasket to turn up and i can bolt it on . :cool:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/04/484.jpg

[Fusion]

I'll be doing a full custom dash in the VB commodore . Try and get the retro kind of look going . I have found it hard to get a speedo in KPH but have found one i like . The pic is in MPH but does come in KPH :D . will be around $700 landed on my door from the states ......

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/04/456.jpg

[rovercare]

Good stuff, I personally hate commodores......not that I mind others liking them:),my brother used to have a tough VH SLE, neat as, 308 auto thing, on its guts, with interceptors,with caps and trims, pretty cool sleeper it was:cool:

Only commodore I ever seen that interceptors looked good on, they were widened and it was metallic silver, so suited nice:D

[Fusion]

Good stuff, I personally hate commodores......not that I mind others liking them:),my brother used to have a tough VH SLE, neat as, 308 auto thing, on its guts, with interceptors,with caps and trims, pretty cool sleeper it was:cool:

Only commodore I ever seen that interceptors looked good on, they were widened and it was metallic silver, so suited nice:D

If we all liked the same car it would be a boring world :D;) . VH SL/E's are a really nice car . The VB is now 30years old so is now in the classic status . I really like the VB's and have owned a couple before this . Plus you don't see as many VB's being restored like you do the VH, VK and VL's .

I haven't really done much to it yet and had a bloke come around yesterday and want's me to put it in next years car show even if it's not finished :eek: . He seemed to think people like looking at a project while it's still under construction . I'll see how far i have progressed when the show comes around :o .

[rovercare]

If we all liked the same car it would be a boring world :D;) . VH SL/E's are a really nice car . The VB is now 30years old so is now in the classic status . I really like the VB's and have owned a couple before this . Plus you don't see as many VB's being restored like you do the VH, VK and VL's .

I haven't really done much to it yet and had a bloke come around yesterday and want's me to put it in next years car show even if it's not finished :eek: . He seemed to think people like looking at a project while it's still under construction . I'll see how far i have progressed when the show comes around :o .


That's it, I always turn my head for anything, whether its in my tastes or not:)

[MacFamily]

Good work Mick I always loved the old VH SLE when I worked at shell about 10 yrs ago a old lady would come in with a VH SLE with the 2 tone grey on black very nice before her husband past away he got Peter Brock to sign the dash.

Every time she come in I fill it up for her ask if she would sell it to me :D, of course the answer was no.They had four boys so one of them would end up with it.

Also bloke at work has a VB SLE 253 auto original bit rough paint but plans on taking it of the road next year for a complete rebuild keeping it fully original also had a VH SL that was his mums that has bugger all kays.

He also had a VC SLE till some low life stole it and wrote it off :mad:.

[Fusion]

Bit of an update . Have added a few bits to the engine . I've gone with 8.8ml top gun leads and a 14x4in air cleaner that will just pop through the bonnet when in the car . I also picked up some VH SL/E wheels for a dozen cans of beer :D . I have also removed the battery tray from the engine bay and have started smoothing the engine bay out . Should have the engine bay in primer within the next couple of weeks .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/07/358.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/07/359.jpg

[Fusion]

Just another update . I have completely sanded back the engine bay and front valance panel . I spent at least 20 hours of sanding and cleaning it up . I have now spray puttied the engine bay . I will be spraying the front valance panel and scuttle panel tomorrow . I will have some pics for you guys tomorrow :D;) .

[Fusion]

ok heres the pics i promised :) ........

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1302.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1303.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1304.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1305.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1306.jpg

[Tank]

Excellent work there Mick, should keep you out of trouble for a while, I've got an '65 XP Falcon 2 Door Hardtop sitting in the yard and a 427 Side Oiler Ford in the shed, trouble is I don't have any money left after spending on the Diesel Disco (should've stuck with the V8 Disco). Anyway it's good to see you getting your project together, mate, Regards Frank.

[Fusion]

Got some more of the commodore sanded back and primed up today . Spent a lot of time on the scuttle panel as i have replaced it and tried to make it look like it was still the original . I also spent a great deal of time on the front valance panel by getting off all the stone guard that had been painted on . that was a mongrel job :D . I have both primed now and will be ready for the base coat this weekend :D:cool: .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1222.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1223.jpg

[Fusion]

As you guys know i was going to paint the car green . I had a change of plans and got some deep red mica for half price because the person who ordered the paint never picked it up . So good deal i think :D . Any ways i have the first coat of the deep red mica on and it looks pretty good so far . Will look a heap better with a second coat and some clear over the top . Hoping to have that done by friday :D .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1106.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1107.jpg

[dirtdawg]

looking good mick

[Fusion]

I came home from work today on a mission and succeeded :D . I got the engine bay painting finished . I applied 1 more coat of the deep red mica and 2 coats of clear . Not the best pic but this is the end result .....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1066.jpg

[Debacle]

Doing a good job Mick, looking forward to seeing your progress

[Fusion]

Got another step closer this weekend . Fitted up the engine and started putting all the bits back in the engine bay . I have also removed the doors so i can rub back the door jams and get them in primer this week .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/1013.jpg

[Fusion]

Few more things done today . I have installed the heater box , brake booster , steering column and charcoal canister , wiper and overflow bottles .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/790.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/791.jpg

[dirtdawg]

while you have it stripped down have you thought about hiding some stuff in the guards?

[Fusion]

while you have it stripped down have you thought about hiding some stuff in the guards?

Yeah mate . Some of the wiring is in the guards and i have moved the battery to the boot :D .

[Fusion]

My new carpet had turned up for the commodore so i had to get out in the shed and get some more done .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/603.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/08/604.jpg

[Fusion]

I have done a heap since my last update . Plenty of paint has been splashed about and plenty of bits bolted on . A few pics ......

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/864.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/865.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/09/866.jpg

[LandyAndy]

Nice work Mick.
Looking forward to seeing the finished job.
A workmate is into old holdens,he just bought a similar age dunnydoor,possibly an SLE,havent had a look yet.308 4 speed and disc brake LSD.He is going to make a track racer out of it to race a Collie racetrack.He has taken his HT 350 Monaro down there but is too scared of trashing it with a rush of blood,or more likely some other peanut running into him.
KEEP THE PICS COMING:cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[dirtdawg]

looking great mate

[Fusion]

Hi Guys . well it's been a little while but i have done some more to the commodore . I have fitted the V8 struts , sway bar and lower ball joints . I have also painted up the drivers door and fitted it up . My clips turned up for the headlights so i have them bolted up as well . Next is to clean up the diff ,get it painted and bolt it up also . Oh and picked up a complete exhaust system and extractors off ebay for $50. Pick them up this saturday morning :D .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/542.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/543.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/10/544.jpg

[Fusion]

More updates :D .

I have now painted and fitted up the right hand front guard . Also have installed the from right drivers door trim and fitted up the front and rear bumpers . I got my Bonnet back from the water jet cutters and they have done a fantastic job ! In the pic i have propped up the filter a little to see how high i could get it before the bonnet started to catch on the hole . Next thing to do is buy the scoop to fit over the filter ;) .

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/11/36.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/11/37.jpg

[Disco_owner]

That looks Friggin Awesome Mick :D Top Paint Job:cool:

[EchiDna]

Lookin pretty schmick!

I dunno what it is about that colour interior - it just looked wrong when it was a current model - but for some reason as a 80's flashback it doesn't look too bad :)

my grandparents had one with green interior, green tinted windows and the light green (almost pastel green) paint job... a little too much of the same colour!

[Fusion]

The green interior is getting pretty rare now . I've already had a few mates wanting to buy just the interior off me . Not going to happen tho . love the look of the early 80's interiors and the cars .

[Fusion]

Been awhile but i have an update on the Commodore :cool: .

I have been saving my penny's and today i picked up my wheels and tyres . I think the look awesome and are very happy with them . they are XHP Krayzee wheels with 235/40 18 roadstone tyres . I also picked up a pair of great condition tail lights for $20 . The Gilmer belt drive kit turned up last week and i have also set up the battery in the boot cleaning up the engine bay . Hope to get some more done soon . Now for the pics .........

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1107.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1108.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1109.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1110.jpg

[BigJon]

Are you going to be able to register it with 18s?

[Fusion]

Are you going to be able to register it with 18s?

I have some 15's to get it rego'd ;)

[olmate]

Mick - just looked thru your thread for the first time and what can I say but ..... :BigThumb:

Very impressed

[Fusion]

Mick - just looked thru your thread for the first time and what can I say but ..... :BigThumb:

Very impressed

Thanks mate . I'm having a heap of fun building it :cool::D

[LandyAndy]

Looking good Mick
Andrew

[Fusion]

More work done today !!! Bonnet is painted and the inside of the passenger door is done . Fitted up the door ready to get some more sanding done . Also glued up the interior around the windscreens for the windscreens to be fitted this wednesday :D;) . and more pics :cool: .....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/919.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/920.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/921.jpg

[Blknight.aus]

Nice n all but wasnt it supposed to be green or did I miss the post with the colour change?

[Fusion]

Nice n all but wasnt it supposed to be green or did I miss the post with the colour change?

yeah was meant to be green :p . Got this paint alot cheaper as some one ordered it and then didn't pick it up . Couldn't let it go at half the original price ;) .

[Fusion]

The Commodore's heart is beating :twisted::twisted::cool::cool: . I'm so happy as the motor started first go and idled straight away . Got oil pressure up in seconds which was also awesome . Still needs a timing light taken to it tho but more than happy with it .


will add some video footage very soon :D:cool::cool::cool:

[Fusion]

Here's the video of the 308 coming to life . I had started it before so i didn't rev it straight off the get go :D:p . Sounds pretty good to me :twisted::twisted::cool:

YouTube- My Holden VH Commodore V8 308 running

[Fusion]

Spent another day on the commodore and painted the last panel on the car :MileStone: . At the same time i painted the fuel cap flap and replaced the vacuum gauge with a V8 tacho :D . Windscreen should be in this week sometime . They were meant to be put in last week but i keep getting shuffled back on the list :mad: .

PICS :cool: ..........

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/500.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/501.jpg

[HBWC]

looking nice their mick
it just need sitting in the weeds to set off thos rims

[The ho har's]

looking good Mick.......maybe you and zara can have a drag race....wonder who will win:whistling::D

Mrs hh:angel:

[dobbo]

looking nice their mick
it just need sitting in the weeds to set off thos rims

as seen on Springer?

[Fusion]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1109.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1110.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1111.jpg

[Sleepy]

Nice Mick. Don't park it in Melbourne - not without a Rottweiller in the back. They are too easy to pinch.....so I am told:angel:




(p.s. Welcome back :))

[Fusion]

Still needs painting but it's fitted up ready to go.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1007.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1008.jpg

[dobbo]

looks good, it reminds me of my bro's old vb, very similar colour as well. his had the same style scoop and some of them horrid bloody rubber strips on the top of the front quarter panels. It used to do awsome doughnuts in the back paddock, till the fuel tank got ruptured on a rock he thought was (just another cowpat)

[abagas]

Hi,

Nice job

[Fusion]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/866.jpg

[Landover]

Not long now until it's terrorising the streets. Looking good!!!!!!

[Sleepy]

So I guess you'll come back here for a look Mick.
:angel:
Cheers Mate, and sorry you felt the need to leave us. It's just the interweb you know. We are probably all different in real life.

You can email me direct on sleep@mpx.com.au

I have enjoyed your aulro company so if you do come back - just consider using the ignore button. rather then letting them get you down.

SO maybe I'll see that big ugly red Disco in the big smoke one day or perhaps http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/soapbox/9442d1215478109-not-looking-forward-colac_hillbillies.jpgthe fugly commodore :p

Nah its nice.


Y'all come back now.




See ya Mick







Go and shid stir some more pommies for me.:lol2: