Information needed on a '79 Classic

[adam.beresford]

Hi guys,

I have found a Rangie that I am interested in possibly buying but require some information on what would be involved to get it club registered in vic.

The car has had a motor swap from the 3.5 (I assume) to a Holden 308, will this need to be engineered to get a road worthy, if so what does this entail?

It also has the original motor (in running condition - he said he could start it for me on the floor of his garage to prove that) so there is the possibility of putting the original motor back into the car (just a thought)

Thanks in advance!

Adam

[grey_ghost]

Hi Adam,

I am not expert BUT my understanding is:

* If the car has been registered with the 308 in it, then you are fine. You won't need to get it engineered.
* If the car hasn't been registered with the 308 in it - then yep, you need to get it engineered.
* There are VicRoads rules that say something along the lines of motor swaps are ok depending on how much power has been increased.
* The Rangie is probably worth more with the original (matching numbers) engine in it anyway.
* Putting a car on Club Plates (depending on the club) means that you need to get a RWC
* It also depends on how the conversion was done - did the seller have to cut engine mounts, move the gearbox?
* Why did the seller put the 308 in it? Is the original engine sick - or did he just want more power?

I personally would be tempted to put the original engine back in, as it will make it easier to get a RWC and then register it.. But I suppose it depends on the condition of the original engine..

Good Luck!

Cheers,
The Grey Ghost

[adam.beresford]

Thanks for your speedy reply!

From my understanding of the conversation I had with the guy today was that he felt that the original motor was very sluggish and wanted more power. It is currently registered with the 308 but was first registered with the original motor. He mentioned that he took it down to VicRoads and they inspected it after the conversion.

He didn't mention that anything really needed to be changed in terms of motor mounts or moving of the gearbox, he only said he had to change the radiator hoses as they weren't a direct fit.

[grey_ghost]

You may well be in luck then... If it has been registered with the 308 in it, then I don't believe that you need an engineers cert.

To put it on club plates you will need to join a car club, and get a RWC.

Most clubs (eg LROCV - Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria) require photo's of the vehicle and a RWC.

I would recommend that as part of the sale that you ask for the original engine. In the future the car would be worth more as a "matching numbers" vehicle, if you ever decide to sell it...

Good luck!

[pop058]

A small point to note. If it has been registered with the 308, check to make sure this is on the old rego papers (engine number should match). IIRC, Vic does not do annual inspections so "informal" engine swaps maybe common.

[350RRC]

All good advice from GG. And the original motor should be part of the deal, running or not.

If Vicroads have it registered with the 308 engine number then they would have inspected it and seen an engineer's certificate, which would include if engine mounts were modded. The mounts would have been included in the cert. , if modded.

They did not have to record the engineer cert. name or the cert. number till probably years after the mod was done, so keeping the 308 in there will not affect getting a roadworthy.

Vicroads are able to tell you the actual date of inspection as well.

Been there, done this.

What transmission does it have?

DL

[adam.beresford]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

As far as I know it's he original transmission which is the 4 speed manual

He mentioned that for ease of swapping he has moved he mounts on the 308 to allow the original motor to be put back in easily

[DoubleChevron]

dumb question, but what to stop you buying a modern LS based engine and re-stamping it with the old 308 engine number ( they have the same mounts and belling housing stud pattern right :wasntme: