Where to get 186 engines and parts?

[PanthaVS]

hey guys,

I'm interested in doing a project, working a 186 engine.

Question is, where can i source a good engine, and parts for them, ideally performance parts too if possible?

Oh, I'm in Victoria too!

[Tom_1569]

What do you plan on putting it in?
It cant legally go into a commodore, just so you know before you start.

Try and source a virgin bore block, though will be difficult.
Speak to Shane at Hudson performance engines, hes from Queensland, but I know plenty of people in Vic who use and praise him for his service and his parts. Hes always happy to help out where he can.
Hudson Performance Engines

[starfire vc]

hey bud.have a look around at wreckers wtc.theres heaps of 186 blocks out there that havnt beed bored or honed yet,as for internals they are easly sourced from repco.crow cams.yella terra etc.find a good engine builder is the best advice i can give

[PanthaVS]

What do you plan on putting it in?
It cant legally go into a commodore, just so you know before you start.
Engines

why not, as far as i understand, you can put ANY engine into ANY car, as long as the car is OLDER than the engine?

and besides, im looking at doing an old torana up. so i may get one with an engine already (thats in good nick) but, if i can pick up a cheap block and work it on an engine stand, then buy a car and swap it in... that would be easier.

hey bud.have a look around at wreckers wtc.theres heaps of 186 blocks out there that havnt beed bored or honed yet,as for internals they are easly sourced from repco.crow cams.yella terra etc.find a good engine builder is the best advice i can give

i figured wreckers would be the go... and i didnt know a place like repco would still sell bits for a 186?

I know a professional engine rebuilder is the ideal option, but i plan to do "most" of the work myself... but i would leave the boring and bare block conditioning to the experts... any ideas (in the ballpark is good enough) on what it would cost to get a bare block "freshened" up? ... oh, and while im at it, the heads too?

cheers!

[greenacc]

only got 1 head on a 186 mate. Depending on the quality of work you want done, ring around, somewhere round $400 - 500 ? Get the crank balanced too if you want it smooth.

[PanthaVS]

only got 1 head on a 186 mate. Depending on the quality of work you want done, ring around, somewhere round $400 - 500 ? Get the crank balanced too if you want it smooth.

oops... thats a typo... i meant "head". so that $400 - $500 is to get a port n polish? and what am i lookin at to get the crank balanced? would i be better getting a stroker crank? (for future mods)

[greenacc]

If you are starting off with an old engine, you probably want to strip it down, take the block to an engine reconditioners and have it decked flat , bored out if you want or at least honed... which you can do yourself with a power drill and hone but nee to know what yur doing, and balancing the crank. While its there they should soak it in a bath to clean out all the sludge and crap. If you buy a stroker crank it should already be balanced. The head should be decked flat too, and the valve seats re ground and new stem seals fitted. Port and polish if you have any cash left. Rare Spares should carry parts too.

[Pub247]

Go to the wreckers and try to find a 186 thats the original engine in the car this means it'll most likely be a virgin bore.
As for the deck bore and hone you'd be looking at about $80 to deck it $25 per cylinder for the bore and hone. Crank grind will be about $250-300. Balanced bottom end need pistons crank, rods, bearings (big end), balancer and flywheel. will be about $250. Another line boring would be a good thing to do but cost you another couple of hundred at least.
As for the head we sell them for about $250 full recoed but if you want a ported one youre better getting a yella terra as theyre ready to go if you buy the complete heads.

Parts are easy to source Repco can get you pretty much anything you need but prices arent the best unless you know someone or got an abn.

If youur thinking of strocker later down the track i'd say ditch the 186 and move onto a 202. If you want make some good power out of the 186 be prepared to put a lot of money into it.

[greenacc]

Have to agree with PUB, reckon the Red202 is the best of the old straight 6's. They make the most power with the least work.

[Phantom10]

Prob an old post but meh..
i reckon the 173 and 186 were the best of the old 6s as the Bore/Stroke size was a good match compared to the 202 which is all noise and no go unless ur prepared to spend

[vkberlina]

186 will rev much higher than a 202 and in something like an LJ toranna the slight difference in power wouldnt matter.
Seriously try the toranna clubs for a 186 or some of the classic holden car clubs, swap meets etc.

cheers
Scott