My Daily (Project) VH SLE

[LS1 James]

Heya all,

Just picked myself up a rundown, Neglected & Mistreated VH SLE for $1400 !! Score i reckon.
This will be my 3rd VH and by far the most difficult not just due to the condition, But the lack of funds and the fact that i have 4 boys under the age of 8!
Anyways, I plan on putting a Ecotec V6 in the old girl to up the reliability, Driveability and improve fuel consumption.
Other than that its pretty much all bodywork and a full respray as she's a bit ratshit at the moment.
If anyone has any suggestions or pointers on how to prep this thing for paint over the next few months while still driving it please lemme know, I'm always open to ideas.
Also i'm in Adelaide if any decent panelbeaters/spraypainters wanna earn some $$$$

Heres some pics of her:

[ari666]

PLLLEAAAAAASE dont ruin it with an V6

[75hjprem]

I have to agree with ari mate, 202's can be plenty reliable after you fix them up. don't destroy an sl/e with a v6

[LS1 James]

Hmmmm, I'll have a think about that then. Is it possible to have Primer exposed for a few months? I really need to drive daily whilst repairing.

[DANNY8]

Hmmmm, I'll have a think about that then. Is it possible to have Primer exposed for a few months? I really need to drive daily whilst repairing.

Nah don't think so, apparently it absorbs moisture.....which ya don't want.

[VK SL 3800]

The 202s can be plenty reliable but should have died with the WB IMO, get rid of it either way. There a lot of V6 conversion haters on here, they are a good engine but they are no 308.
Either are a healthy 308 with some minor mods or an Ecotec will make a good plenty powerful enough reliable car.

[ari666]

Is it possible to have Primer exposed for a few months?

you can as danny says tho it isnt a great idea. [get ready for a fancy word] primer is hydroscopic (sucks up moisture), which is why its good under paint cos it binds two layers together. so what happens when you get water on it, it sucks it up and it sits between the primer and the metal and rusts UNDER the paint.

BUT, i have been told by one beater that using hi-fill quite thick and not blocking it back is ok. because it has a thickened layer on the outside which is not hydroscopic...

but either way its not a great idea.

[LS1 James]

Hmmm i searched last night and found a thread on Protec Primer that was able to be exposed?? (Cant find it now)
Im still not sure about the V6 conversion. Either way it will always be a 6. However it may nat always be naturally aspirated....... I just need to get her looking Shweet first so she doesn't get defected or anything stupid like that!

[Jonno]

just out of curiosity, why are u set on a v6?

[tim005]

mmmmmmm SL/E, drooooooool.

[LS1 James]

just out of curiosity, why are u set on a v6?

Im Not set on a V6, Just set on it staying a 6. I'll never be able to afford to run an 8 daily, Let alone the costs of getting it to be a v8.
Besides, I only need 150hp to be happy!

[LS1 James]

Anyone wanna buy the wheels off it? $200 !!!

[75hjprem]

The 202s can be plenty reliable but should have died with the WB IMO, get rid of it either way. There a lot of V6 conversion haters on here, they are a good engine but they are no 308.
Either are a healthy 308 with some minor mods or an Ecotec will make a good plenty powerful enough reliable car.

not a v6 hater, i was going to put one in my HJ....just the fact its an sl/e some things should be left un ruined

[LS1 James]

Found It!!!!!!

Product Reference Guide | Protec - Paint, Value, Support

Have a look there (download the PDF) and have a look at product number 450-5118. That is fantastic stuff, it's a non pourous primer that can be left out in the whether and protect the panel from rusting. Best of all you can scuff it back and primer straight over it when your repairs are all finished.

What you need to do is take it back to bare metal, de-oxadine it with scotch-brite then put the RB primer over it, then it's sealed. That way you can protect the bare metal and filler areas while you carry out the rest of the repairs. Once it's all finished, scuff it all back and prime it.

What do you think about using that stuff to get around in for a few months?

[LS1 James]

Ok, Tried to do the timing last night because it's running lika an absolute bucket, But i cant find the notch in the harmonic balance pulley?? Any ideas? Also someone has played with the mixtures on the varajet so im gonna see if i can tune that or else its weber upgrade time!!! Putting in a new set of front wheel bearings today too as i can hear and feel them grinding. Man this poor old girl has been let down.
Given her a Full service while im at it too inc new dizzy cap & rotor.

[ari666]

i did a how to for tuning quaddys, different carb but the basics are the same: how to rebuild/ modify quadrajets (also vac hose diagram)

the tuning bit is towards the end. post 8 i think. anyway, with the car off, turn the balancer till you find the notch then mark it with some liquid paper. when your light flashes itll become heaps more obvious


also: keep the sle rims and polish them.

[RazzaCaine]

if its any help for you, i have a vb-vk workshop manual at home that i scan some pages for you if you want? if you need anything, shout out

[LS1 James]

if its any help for you, i have a vb-vk workshop manual at home that i scan some pages for you if you want? if you need anything, shout out

That would be great Man!!! Could you scan me the tuning Carby section? Not the major pulldown bit, The 2 or 3 pages to do with On-Car stuff.

Cheers!

[machone]

id dump the 202 although you can get some awsome HP out of them....doing a V6 conversion these days isnt that hard theres a few kits for the conversion into old commodores out there but remember you legally also have to engineer it because your putting a later model efi engine in your car personally id go the V8 option its a much easier swap if your worried about fuel put it on duel fuel... plus if you want it to go aerodynamically better lose the kid hanging off the side of it lol

[Darren_L]

if it's just going to be a daily, is hp really an issue ?
I don't care what anyone says, the 202 isn't too bad. Of course by todays standards, it's right down on the numbers. But I remember my previous 202 powered VH, it was a stock 202 trimatic, but I spent the time setting it up right and it had no dramas single leggin' it down the road (without riding the brake) and wasn't even too bad on the juice.

nothing wrong a V6 either, but it's a nice looking SL/E, if the engine is a bit tired I'd spend the money on giving the 'ol 202 a rebuild, get some exhaust valve seat inserts so you can run unleaded, set the carb up right and it will make for a very nice (and original) SL/E that is the perfect cruiser. If the engine is still fairly healthy, then just set it up right and same deal

[mr j-man]

BUT, i have been told by one beater that using hi-fill quite thick and not blocking it back is ok. because it has a thickened layer on the outside which is not hydroscopic...

but either way its not a great idea.

yeah mate thats true my pop and brother are beater/sprayers and they have said this b4...it leaves like a waterproof film/skin on the top until its rubbed back....but its only tollerable to mists and drizzel for a short period of time. all in all bad idea to drive in prima....looks bogan as f##k too

[LS1 James]

Heres some pics of the old girl, With her new wheels. You can see a little better how SHIT the body is:











Cheers

[ari666]

looks bogan as f##k too

agreed.

p.s. body looks about the same as my vk was when i started

[LS1 James]

Hows the body on your Vk now? did you do it in stages while still driving (like im gonna have to) or all at once?

[LS1 James]

Taking Expressions of interest on the old girl now. Comes with the new mags and evrything needed to do a full respray in Arctic White!! Need the cash asap to buy a once in a lifetime deal. My Brothers 5L VH SLE!!!