EH / EJ

1962-1965 / Sedan / Australia

All EH / EJ problems All workshop issues

Critical Body

Structural Rust, Floor Pans and Sills

Symptoms

Perforated metal underneath the car. Soft, crumbling steel. Visible rust from inside the cabin (carpet lifted).

Cause

Water ingress through deteriorated seals, combined with road spray from underneath, attacks the floor pans and sills relentlessly over six decades. The enclosed sill cavities trap moisture and rust from the inside out.

Fix

Cut out the rusted metal and weld in new panels.

Reproduction floor pan sections and sill panels are available from Rare Spares and similar suppliers.

Budget $2,000-5,000 per side for sills, $3,000-8,000 for full floor replacement.

This is skilled work, poor welding repairs are worse than the original rust.

Cost mentioned in fix

Budget $2,000-5,000 per side$3,000-8,000 for full

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// More EH / EJ problems

Other known issues

Common Body

Lower Guard Rust

Bubbling paint, perforation, and corrosion along the lower edges of front and rear guards.

Common Body

Boot Floor Rust

Rust in the boot floor, particularly the spare tyre well. Water pooling in the boot.

Common Engine, Red Motor (149ci and 179ci)

Rear Main Seal Oil Leak

Oil drips from the bellhousing area. Oil accumulates on the underside of the engine and gearbox. Oil spots on the garage floor.

Common Engine, Red Motor (149ci and 179ci)

Worn Valve Guides

Blue smoke on startup that clears after 30-60 seconds. May also smoke on overrun (deceleration after highway driving).

Common Engine, Red Motor (149ci and 179ci)

Carburettor Issues

Hard starting, rough idle, flat spots on acceleration, black smoke, poor fuel economy, fuel smell.

Common Engine, Red Motor (149ci and 179ci)

Cooling System Marginal in Traffic

Temperature gauge rises in slow traffic, particularly on hot days. May push coolant out the overflow.

View all 18 EH / EJ problems