VC HDT tribute build

[Gozza1]

Hi all, The engine is off to engine builder tomorrow, normal life is back in Melbourne so few things can finally be done

 

[vc commodore]

I hope that brick isn't there to use on someone that annoys you.....

Only joking.....You must be stoked you can move about freely now, with restrictions being eased

 

[losh1971]

I'm surprised the wagon is not sitting on the bump stops with all that weight in there. Other thing I don't get is how on earth do you get it in there? Cast iron engine would not be light.

 

[vc commodore]

I'm surprised the wagon is not sitting on the bump stops with all that weight in there. Other thing I don't get is how on earth do you get it in there? Cast iron engine would not be light.

Pajeros, which is what that vehicle is, are fairly good in the back, with taking weight and not sagging too bad.....

I have 2 rellies that love them especially for towing

 

[Gozza1]

Haha that made me laugh, the good old Pajero back has seen the bricks in the back before.. 253 is a piece of cake for it.Easy mate, engine crane push the legs under the car, hehe good to go. 425 000 km on the clock, diesel, the best car I've ever owned, it could take it to Cape York now and it would get me back. . No issue at all.

 

[losh1971]

Ahhhh, here I am thinking you had you and another bloke lifted it in...... I tried lifting my V6 on my own and I had no hope. All I could do was spin it around on the ground and lean it over, on my own as it was too heavy.

 

[Gozza1]

Dropped the engine off at the builder, this guy's works from his garage.Used to have a shop for 35 years.To do the rear main seal and plus couple of other gaskets $800.. so I made a decision right there to go for a full rebuild for $2500 new flat pistons, bearings, rings everything... plus porting the heads.I bought a new gates water pump to go with it. I cannot be bothered to pull it again.. do it once and enjoy it for years.Also the interior was factory grey, in horrible condition.First I thought to clean it well then dye it red.The dye would just go through the material.Next option was red seat covers.. it looked cheap so no good.The get them upholstered it was min $2500 in original Holden material.. way to much for me hehe anyway for last 7 months I've been looking for the original red interior.Talk about impossible to find it... Out of nowhere got the guy that had the rear seat he dropped it of to me fotlr $170 , today I went 20 km after Ballarat to pick up the front ones.. middle of nowhere.. just like in that movie " wolf creek" hehe just Mick with a knife was missing.. paid only $200... What a win.So steam clean first then a bit of original dye and they'll be sweet.. moving forward, cheers all

 

[Gozza1]

Hi guys, engine builder called me today, he took the engine apart and .... He said mate , lucky you didn't put it back in.the rear main was gone, but also one piston ring was damaged, crank bearings stuffed, camshaft 2 globes worn .. it just shows again how important is to build it right and check everything! The good news engine has never been rebuild from factory.. 1978 , he will bore it 20 over and she ll be sweet.He did say to me get a new cam at least stage 2 cam.I am no expert in these so which one do you recommend and should I go for stage 3 cam? I am after a lumpy sound , it's a manual so bigger cam should be ok, thoughts?

 

[VS 5.0]

Stage "X" cam can be a bit of a nonsense without knowing the cam specs, operating range and what range you want to realistically operate in.

 

[Gozza1]

So true mate, I will have to do more research. he just called me and said it was impossible to find 20 over pistons anywhere... From 30 ok.He said its a shame to go straight to 30 as not many 1978 blocks would still have factory bores. He also did say if looked after there is no reason why the new engine wouldn't last another 30 years... Good enough for me, great mechanic though.