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Betsy - The Little Ke30 That Knew She Could


Robski

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Hi guys and gals,

 

I would like to introduce you to Betsy, a 1975 KE30 4 door with no working engine. I purchased her on the 15.08.13. She looked rather straight and upon inspection I could not find any significant rust spots so I organised for the sellers dad (a tow truck driver) to drop her off at my door and handed over the money.

 

I will be updating this post as often as I can, but unfortunately I have a new house and a lot of other jobs to deal with so just gotta remember "SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE" (but I just want her done NOW).

 

The plans are to strip her down repair any rust found, paint, full interior, and then drop a SR20DET into her with a R31 cut down diff (Borg Warner 4.11 with 28' spline) and a few other bits and pieces as you will see.

 

Aiming for around 200-220kwatw but we will see how we go. Power delivery is my main goal, as to make it as smooth and efficient as possible, so I will most likely put more work into the suspension set up than the engine at the start.

 

Anyway just wanted to introduce Betsy to you and keep posted for updates.

 

Cheers

Robski

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Edited by Robski
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Cheers Corey I'll PM you when I have a weekend off and we can meet up. :yes:

 

Anyway, thought I would bring everyone up to speed with what has been done on Betsy so far.

 

I finally got some time on the 19.08.13 to have a good look at her. A mate of mine, Brad, decided to come over and have a look at my recent purchase and it was soon apparent to both of us that STAGE 1 of the build would be WEEDING!!! As can be seen in the photos there was a large amount of grass from the transmission down to the diff. I actually had to use some sheers to cut the grass, which was around 5cm thick, away from the entire length of the drive shaft (there was even grass inside the car that had come up through the handbrake and auto shifter LOL).

 

Although once this had all been removed (3hrs later) the final result was quite astonishing!!! There is NO RUST in the floor pans, sills, and the entire undercarriage of the car looks cleaner than any project I have worked on before.

 

Next stage will be stripping the interior, dash, wiring loom and anything else on the exterior or interior that can be removed, so as to find the true extent of the repairs that are needed to bring Betsy back up to pristine condition before painting.

 

Meanwhile I have been doing some reading about different types of media blasting and their pros and cons. On a couple of hot rod restoration sites they suggested that you don't take it back to bare metal if the original paint is still in reasonable condition. They explained this by stating that the original paint was applied under the best possible conditions in the factory therefore if you can don't remove it. They continued explaining that you should just repair any rust spots then scuff up the original paint with some 240-320 grit and then prime, undercoat and paint over the top. Now me not being as well rehearsed in restorations as some of you guys and gals would like to hear your thoughts on this.

 

Anyway here are the pics of STAGE 1: WEEDING

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great pick up!

Cheers Josh, I have almost finished the tear down, just got the engine/trans and the exhaust to go. Then it will be rust repair, as well as sending all the other bits and pieces off to be chromed and the dash will go off to the dashboard doctor to be done. Just need to get the time to put in which is a little thin at the moment.

 

Will add more photos soon.

Edited by Robski
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Awesome man, keeping her overrated or going a different colour?

Also, you will be able to make at least 350hp, i'm aiming for at least 350-400.

 

How're you going about the engine & g/b mounts?

 

suspension?

 

cheers

 

Cheers Josh.

 

Well just taking it slow (very slow) at the moment, just had too much to do in the backyard (priority). But almost completed strip down. As for colour, I have a few ideas but just depends which one is at the top of my list when it comes to that part (hopefully not too far away).

 

I don't want to go overboard with the power, I will be more concerned with the power delivery so gear ratios and suspension set up. So my goal is around 200-220kwatw (which for a small car like the KE30, I feel, will be more than enough).

 

With the engine mounts I'm just considering buying them from Jordanrolla, he seems to have good feedback from others and his mounts look well made, just saves a lot of headaches. Gearbox mounts I haven't really thought of yet for that will be a while before the engine goes in, but I'll research that a little later.

 

Suspension, I've been talking to some other people on here and there are SOOOOOO many options, just haven't yet sifted through it all to make my decision.

 

What about you???

Edited by Robski
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Quick update stripped back almost complete. Gutted the interior and took off most of the chrome goodies, all that needs to happen now is the engine/transmission to be removed, as well as the rest of the wiring, exhaust and windows, then the fun can begin with the rust repair.

 

Had a mate of mine come over to take a look at Betsy today (he is a 40 year vetran panel beater). He gave her a good look over and then asked "Where did you find this one?" I told him that a guy contacted me and it went from there, and when I asked why he replied "She is straight, has next to no rust and has never been in a accident of any sort!!" So SWEEEEEET!!!! I think I found a good one. One other good thing about my mate Vince coming over for a catch up was that he just picked up his new 300C SRT8. When he pulled it into the driveway he threw me the keys and said "Let's go for a spin." Well all I have to say is WOW, 6.4L HEMI, talk about luxury + GO!!! As well as that I think I have now found the colour that Betsy will be painted, check out the pics of Vince's new ride.

 

Oh and as you can see in one of the photos, when I removed the parcel shelf I found a nice surprise of ............ wait for it ........... a very large ANT COLONY!!! Let's just say the Morteen got a work out.

 

Anyway here are a few more pics of the deconstruction process, stay tuned for more soon.

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Cheers Josh.

 

Well just taking it slow (very slow) at the moment, just had too much to do in the backyard (priority). But almost completed strip down. As for colour, I have a few ideas but just depends which one is at the top of my list when it comes to that part (hopefully not too far away).

 

I don't want to go overboard with the power, I will be more concerned with the power delivery so gear ratios and suspension set up. So my goal is around 200-220kwatw (which for a small car like the KE30, I feel, will be more than enough).

 

With the engine mounts I'm just considering buying them from Jordanrolla, he seems to have good feedback from others and his mounts look well made, just saves a lot of headaches. Gearbox mounts I haven't really thought of yet for that will be a while before the engine goes in, but I'll research that a little later.

 

Suspension, I've been talking to some other people on here and there are SOOOOOO many options, just haven't yet sifted through it all to make my decision.

 

What about you???

 

Good idea. 300rwhp or a little less is a sweet spot for sr's, it seems after that (and occasionally before) they are living on borrowed time. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you need 350-400rwhp because that will cost big $$. 300rwhp will be more than enough!

 

Will keep watching the thread. Sort of reminds me of my old ke30, same green colour, same two black stripes down the side as well.

Edited by mark1414
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Yeah I'm not chasing 350-400rwhp. I think that around the 200rwkw (approx 270rwhp) will be more than enough for the likes of a KE30. Anyways that is quite a few steps down the road LOL, need to finish stripping/gutting Betsy and then comes the panel work. :bash:

 

Will keep watching the thread. Sort of reminds me of my old ke30, same green colour, same two black stripes down the side as well.

 

As for the green, as stated before, I don't think I will be keeping that colour. What happened to your old KE30 Mark?? If you don't mind me asking. :thumbsup:

Edited by Robski
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Yeah I'm not chasing 350-400rwhp. I think that around the 200rwkw (approx 270rwhp) will be more than enough for the likes of a KE30. Anyways that is quite a few steps down the road LOL, need to finish stripping/gutting Betsy and then comes the panel work. :bash:

 

 

 

As for the green, as stated before, I don't think I will be keeping that colour. What happened to your old KE30 Mark?? If you don't mind me asking. :thumbsup:

 

I sold it on this forum because it had a little too much rust. Have a ke55 with a sr in it now. You should be pleased with the power/driveability compared to the 3k haha.

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I sold it on this forum because it had a little too much rust. Have a ke55 with a sr in it now. You should be pleased with the power/driveability compared to the 3k haha.

 

Well never driven the 3k, bought the car without a running engine. No big loss there.

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  • 2 weeks later...

BETSY UPDATE: This little KE30 continues to blow me away. Last night my mate Brad came over and our goal was to 1. Remove the engine (the all powerful 3K), 2. Remove the fuel tank, and 3. Dispose of any non working or un-salvageable items from the 3k.

 

AND VWALLA!!!! the strip out of Betsy is almost complete, just have to now finish labeling and removing the rest of the wiring loom and then remove the rest of the glass.

 

I would like to give a big thanks to Brad & Alex for assisting with the removal and disposal of the engine etc. and as can be seen from some of the photos some mechanics 101 classes between Brad and Alex were also entertaining to watch and listen to (we all love chicks who enjoy getting their hands dirty under the bonnet of a car). GO ALEX!!!!

 

I also have a few KE30 / 3K items that would be very worthwhile for a 3K rebuild, I will post them once they are all cleaned up and PRETTY!! But if there is something you are after in particular please don't hesitate to PM me.

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I just got a KE30 myself! also in Melbourne!

I've started on little bits and pieces so far, I want to start a mechanic apprenticeship asap so bought this to learn.

 

I've started a free blog here, if you'd like to have a geez :D

http://corollake30sleeper.blogspot.com.au/

 

Going to be following this thread!

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I just got a KE30 myself! also in Melbourne!

I've started on little bits and pieces so far, I want to start a mechanic apprenticeship asap so bought this to learn.

 

I've started a free blog here, if you'd like to have a geez :D

http://corollake30sl...logspot.com.au/

 

Going to be following this thread!

 

Looks good man I'll have to keep an eye on the progress, and good luck with the apprenticeship. May have to get together for a cruise once they are both finished.

 

Thanks again for the support.

Edited by Robski
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