need engine rebuild

[reg of the overflow]

Hi all, i am new here but been a Landie lover since i was a kid. I have a 1961 Series 2 SWB which had a Holden donk in it until the piston came apart one day. I have 4 Red motors sitting around and i want to get one rebuilt rather than getting a change over - change overs won't warranty the engine if it's going into a vehicle it wasn't designed for.

So there question is, where is the best place in Melbourne to get a block and head done up? I want a good job and not really in too much of a hurry (currently rewiring and doing brakes and such:censored: )

cheers

[Homestar]

Welcome to the forum mate.:). What part of Melbourne are you from, and how good a job/how much money do you want to spend?

A freshen up could be just a hone and new rings, but a proper job will involve a rebore, new pistons, etc. these guys will do your motor - http://www.enginesolutions.com.au/

Cheers - Gav

[Series3 GT]

What Gav said, Welcome to the forum. A rebuild will ensure that your getting the best out of your engine, if you stick an old red motor in you'll probably think that red motors are horrible if you get a bad one and will put you off, but a good rebuilt motor will make a huge difference. What motor is it? I'm about to get a 202 tomorrow to rebuild for my Landy and it'll be a great project. Keep us posted and if you have any problems let me know cause I just bought a Holden workshop manual with how to strip down a red motor and rebuild.

[Homestar]

I just bought a Holden workshop manual with how to strip down a red motor and rebuild.

There's a manual for them? With all of its 10 or so moving parts I've never bothered...:D

Seriously though, they are a good, simple motor to learn on. My first (second and third) engine rebuild was a Holden red motor. There are a few easy things to do to make sure they last even longer than normal while you're at it, like an alloy timing gear and a decent oil pump (drill the timing gear oil feed out a bit if you fit an alloy timing gear as they howl otherwise) If you are going a rebore and new pistons, they have plenty of meat in them and you can go 60 thou over easily. They make an 80 thou piston for them, but some castings are a little offset in the bores and you can end up with porous bores or having them split if you go to 80 thou over, but it is doable.

Have fun - Gav.:)

[reg of the overflow]

Hi guys, thanks for the warm welcome. I have had my 61 SWB for near on 20 years and the engine that blew was it's third Holden red motor. One of the pistons seperated - as it does. Problem is, while the donk was out "good idea to rewire it while i have room". Well, unfortuantely other things get in the way and she has sat there feeling lonely for some time.

Rewiring is all but done, ready to connect a battery up and run some tests then start buying some new bits and pieces.

i have the experience to rebuild but have neither the time, tools nor the workshop so it's off to engine hospital with it. i will contact the company you mentioned 'bacicat' and see what they can do.

cheers all

[Series3 GT]

So true about the Holden motors they have so little parts to them, I picked mine up today and its not bad for a free motor at the moment cause I don't know whats going on inside yet. There are a few things like timing that need attention and is handy to have a book cause my 202 came with a dizzy but not fitted and we need to have a look at whats going on. You don't need a workshop to work with these things cause they're so simple and all you need is basic tools and some know how. This is going to be my first full rebuild but seeing as I'm 15 it won't be my last.