253's! Love'em OR Hate'em?

[vkwalks39]

Just a quick question guys. I just want to about your views on 253's? I think these motor's are under estimated and that's there is a lot more to them to what people think. Pls tell me what you guys think about them?

[V85000i]

they sound alright, i can't comment until i get my HQ back on the road, i've just rebuilt the 253 in it, ACL pistons, crane 276 cam, holley carby, stright cut timing gears. aussie 4speed. had some tyre spinning balls before i rebuilt it but was damn slow. 0-100 in 13 secs, was a clapped out motor though, so we will see how the new one goes.

[vkwalks39]

Thanks mate,it's good to know that there's still people out there enjoy the trusty 253. The cam you going with, do you know you can go bigger. Cause, i was talking to my engine builder we was talkin about the crane 288, with this cam you have to do some head work. Just a little bit.hahaha.

[V85000i]

i think i'll stick with this cam, i havent even changed the valve springs lol. i'll see if they bounce first.

[vkwalks39]

HAHAHAHA True, fingers cross it doesn't go BANG!!

[Wagon_Wheel]

Personally i dont like them, but having said that i've never owned one or anything, they can sound nice but everyone ive seen has been a SLUG, much prefer the 5ltr anyday

[V85000i]

the only reason they are all slugs is because everyone goes the 308 route, same $$$$ more power, but there is some very quick 253's out there, because someone dared to be different.

[MaN|aC]

I've got a 253 in my v6 but thats a different story :P

[JD]

i had a 253 in my old vc, never missed a beat and had some balls for a 100kw motor!

[vkwalks39]

Thanks guys, for the reply.I think that they are pretty tough engines, if they are done right.I'm about to do my engine up,roller's, big cam, carby,etc...
So it should be interesting

[JD]

sounds good mate

[vkwalks39]

Does anyone know how much power does a 253 produce? I've read it some where that, you can get 380hp at the flywheel!! Thats without a blower or turbo.Behind my 253(red), i'm going with a T/350 or trimatic. I've the bracket for it.

[Reaper]

Just a quick question guys. I just want to about your views on 253's? I think these motor's are under estimated and that's there is a lot more to them to what people think. Pls tell me what you guys think about them?

I had a good run for the good old 253's years ago and think they are very under rated. I had a Torana that ran 14.2 with a well sorted (but by no means wild) 253. It was a very respectable time for that era.

That said, I don't see any point pouring money into one. Spend $4k on a 253 or 5 liter (or whatever your budget may be) and the 304/8 will win every time. I'm a firm believer that the VN/P/whatever EFI 5 litre is the most cost effective base for a strong motor even if you ditch the computers and put a fuel bucket on the top.

Reaper

[RVN 355]

4.2L 253 good work horse,good towing engine with rated torque very much a nice v8 for the old hj -hz series holdens,tops, nuffing like 4 on the floor 1 tonner

[14secvp]

Ive been in a few nice 253 powered cars before they are a great engine i had one in my vk commodore years ago but i traded up to 308 and 5 speed in the end balanced they are great sounding engines

[V85000i]

4.2L 253 good work horse,good towing engine with rated torque very much a nice v8 for the old hj -hz series holdens,tops, nuffing like 4 on the floor 1 tonner

what ratios did you have, one tonners can have a 4.44:1 diff, and the 4 speeds had a 3.7:1 first gear, and you could get like 20km/h and be red lining

[vkwalks39]

The 253 that I'm doing up is for my VK. I'm going with flat tops pistons, L34 heads shaved and port/ polish heads, crank heat tested and balanced, hi volume oil pump, Edelbrock perfromance manifold, roller's rockers, 650 mech sec carby, pete jacksons gear drive, high energy sump, msd ignition,crane 288 solid, or a custom cam? and the trimatic stg 2 with 2800rpm stally, and the diff 3:08.1 LSD. The diff might get changed. My vk is my toy, it's got grp a bodykit same as the brocks, it's in undercoat now,fuel flap has been removed. I had small amount of rust that has been cut out. We haven't decide on the colour? black or formula blue.

[Reaper]

The 253 that I'm doing up is for my VK. I'm going with flat tops pistons, L34 heads shaved and port/ polish heads, crank heat tested and balanced, hi volume oil pump, Edelbrock perfromance manifold, roller's rockers, 650 mech sec carby, pete jacksons gear drive, high energy sump, msd ignition,crane 288 solid, or a custom cam? and the trimatic stg 2 with 2800rpm stally, and the diff 3:08.1 LSD. The diff might get changed. My vk is my toy, it's got grp a bodykit same as the brocks, it's in undercoat now,fuel flap has been removed. I had small amount of rust that has been cut out. We haven't decide on the colour? black or formula blue.

Just out of interest, how do you get L34 heads that are designed for a 4" (or there abouts) bore to work with the 253? Also, how do you get around the pollution rubbish in keeping the 253 legal in a VK?

Reaper

[cxcxcxvcvcvc]

my old next door neighbour had a 253 and it sounded very nice indeedi reckon the 253 motor would go off tap with a TT setup! also as fuel prices increase theyare a good alternative e.g you can still have that v8 sound and red light punch without the massive fuel bill!!

[Reaper]

my old next door neighbour had a 253 and it sounded very nice indeedi reckon the 253 motor would go off tap with a TT setup! also as fuel prices increase theyare a good alternative e.g you can still have that v8 sound and red light punch without the massive fuel bill!!

Not sure of that. Turbos are great with high revving engines but the 253's long stroke/small bore combination would be more suited to a blower which work far more efficiently at lower revs.

Dunno about the fuel bill either. When they were new, many people (somewhat unkindly) mentioned they were like having 6cyl performance with a V8 fuel bill. That is certainly not fair but that said you will be disappointed if you are expecting better fuel economy.

Reaper

[vkwalks39]

G'day guys, on the L34, my engine guru said to me that have to get the heads shaved ported and, resize the valves channels so that the L34 valves can fit.I think thats right.

[MasterOfReality]

EVL253 over on SC has built a decent 253.

Apparently has 254rwhp.

[Reaper]

G'day guys, on the L34, my engine guru said to me that have to get the heads shaved ported and, resize the valves channels so that the L34 valves can fit.I think thats right.

Ahhh ok. L34 valves in a 253 head is very different from an L34 head. Assuming the combustion chamber was big enough I could see that working.

Reaper

[vkwalks39]

Thanks guys, for th replys. Can't wait to drive my vk soon!! Also, can't wait for the springnats!