CHEAP Red Holden 202 service?

[DT-P38]

Hi again,

Just wondering what opinions are on how to do a CHEAP service to the red 202 in my S3 88'? How about 3 speed gearbox? How much time do I need to set aside? Approx. cost?

Have heard that some situations should be avoided with these holden conversions... like, long steep inclines. Is this true? What else should I avoid/be cautious of?

Also curious to know if anyone can share where to source service and repair manuals on-line? Need advice/help as I have zero experience with this technology!

Thanks in advance.

[rangieman]

My opinion is ditch that red hunk of crap :p, There is nothing wrong with a healthy 2,1/4 litre four banger sorry mate , This is my opinion of owning a red hunk of crap powered landy to a 2 ,1/4 litre powered beast.
The only reason those things were fitted were because of supply ability of engines and parts to suit for cost reasons ,
They dont like highway cruising they just cant take the constant revving and standard gearing of your landy they dont like to rev past 3000 rpm with out self distructing:mad:
Stepping down now end of rant:angel:

[DT-P38]

If Budder was in a bit better condition and I had a few less car projects I would love to take the time to resto him as a classic 88' or maybe a camel or game or gun buggy tribute... However, reality is he will see his days out with a red heart as a beach truck for summer holidays. Just need to prep him as best I can for as cheap as I can. So far I have lathered kill rust paint everywhere and this weekend I am going to get under neath and pump a half dozen cans of fish oil around, on and in the chassis. Intend to drown the springs in wd40/innox too. Have received good advice on inspecting axles and changing diff and transfer fluids and checking seals... But beyond leads, plugs, filters and fluids I don't know what to look at with the old red. Or what to avoid?

Anything to add on the actual subject Chris?

[Mick_Marsh]

Simple motor. Probably why they're so popular.
Change the oil, oil filter, air filter, plugs, leads and cap.
You might change the points but I'd be looking for electronic ignition.

[loanrangie]

Mick has covered it , simple motor with simple needs.

[bee utey]

The two most common failures on 202s are the camshaft fibre gear and the distributor gear, both can be replaced relatively easily without engine damage but the only way you prevent their failure is replacement with metal (used) or plastic (new) ones. Also some 202s used to break up pistons in regular service but I imagine it's rarer with replacement pistons instead of genuine.

Workshop manuals are available on the internet, try ebay for example. This allows you to at least name parts correctly when describing problems.

[Mick_Marsh]

Also some 202s used to break up pistons in regular service but I imagine it's rarer with replacement pistons instead of genuine.
Happened to the families HQ after some stupidly high milage. The story I got was that the piston skirt was somewhat thin at the oil ring. I was also told there was a recall on them in the second half of the last century.

[Series3 GT]

There's not much to go wrong and as long as you keep up the basic service schedule they'll go for ages. The 2 1/4 is a fine engine but it can't match the power of a Holden just because of the simple fact of more capacity and two extra cylinders, more air, more fuel, bigger bang. Make sure you keep using coolant to keep your cooling system going for longer.

[Eddie S]

Much has been said about the Holden red motor. I'm too am a fan and have a 186 in my truck. The only thing I would like to add is a larger sump modification would be a bonus as they only hold just under 4 litres, this would also help with engine oil cooling.
Cheers. Ed

[scarry]

The other thing that also used to happen to the 202 was burning valves,usually caused by running too lean.

Nice and simple to maintain,and repair,something that many of us miss today:mad:

[DT-P38]

My old mate a couple of streets over reckons GT40 coil?

[Mick_Marsh]

My old mate a couple of streets over reckons GT40 coil?
Yep. A good coil. Can they still be got?
GT-40R if you have a resistor.

[30t of coolness]

And being an Australian engine use the good oil , I did an oil & filter change on the sons HJ ute the other week using Fu**hs oil & by the time I got it home 20K's away the engine was fu**ed as both the plastic dizzy drive & fibre cam gears had destroyed themselves.:( May be a coincidence but next time I'll be staying with a dirtier non euro brand of oil.
Would also be interested in some photos of the gearbox conversion as would look very busy under there with holden linkages & transfer sticks:eek: