Is this engine number legitimate?

[Lionelgee]

Hello Holden - Land Rover Types,

Does the positioning of the "X" in the engine number in the attached photograph look legitimate to you?

You know how we sometimes collect bits of information and can never find the source of it again? I read somewhere that it was a practice of engine reconditioners to stamp an "X" at the start of an engine number to show that the engine had been reconditioned.

The catch is that some Torana engine numbers start with XQL. Such as the LX, UC Torana ADR27A auto High Compression (Accessed January 25, from, http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/holden_6_cylinder_engine_numbers).

So this is the dilemma - Engine Number (X = reconditioned?) X ... QL887212 OR is it XQL887212; as in a motor manufactured for a Torana ???

I only have the engine - not other data plates or Holden chassis numbers to confirm the origins of the motor.

By the way some new information I found on the Old Holden forum suggests that the first number after the letters represents the year of manufacture. This would mean the engine was made in 1978 - four years after the last HQ rolled of the assembly line.

Damn... I do not know where I got it into my head the engine was an early HQ. So all the effort of tracking down HQ numbers and manuals, people responding to my messages has been an unintentional waste of mine and other people's time. I am sorry about that. I am kicking myself over it :wallbash:

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello Lionel,

Yes - Lionel apparently your engine number is indeed legitimate ... woo hoo :banana::banana::banana:

According to the GMH Torana Club member yel327 Posted 29 September 2008 - 12:23 PM Accessed January 26, 2017 from, Torana engine numbers - General Discussion - GMH-Torana (http://www.gmh-torana.com.au/forums/topic/31003-torana-engine-numbers/)

the XQL prefixed engines were actually engines in the HQ engine number series and had the X added afterwards (presumably meaning LX), whereas the HL were part of the number series started in LH at Hx1001. That is why two consecutive LX Torana 6cyl's can have an engine number with 6 digits eg XQD900000 and the next car a 5 digit eg HL80000. Once October 1979 came around UC auto's went back to a 4 digit number eg XZL1500 as this is when the Qx number sequence ran out and went to Zx but manual cars continued on with the HL series. I have no idea why Holden chose to start the new series for LH as most other stuff is (or appears to be) in the HQ sequence ie LC, LJ, HG, auto ADR27A LX/UC and (yet to be confirmed) CF and E, M and S series Bedfords with Holden engines. The only ones that didn't go in there are VB Commodores. I'm still not sure how the transition into WB and VC Commodore worked but they appear to be together and follow on into VN onwards.

Further to this, a member from the GMH Torana, club Dr Terry wrote that XQL are ADR27A 202 motors which were fitted to July 76 onwards LX/UC Toranas, with Tri-Matic transmissions. Manual cars retained the HL prefix. Accessed January 26, 2017 from - Posted 29 September 2008 - 10:48 AM Torana engine numbers - General Discussion - GMH-Torana (http://www.gmh-torana.com.au/forums/topic/31003-torana-engine-numbers)

Thank you for the content GHM Torana Club.

What is the saying? The Lord helps those who help themselves. :angel:

However, the upshot of all this is .... I still may not have the correct Stromberg Carburettor This is because LX Production: 1976 to 1978 and UC Production: 1978 to 1980 HB / LC / LJ / LH / LX / UC TORANA SPECIFICATIONS WEBSITE (http://home.exetel.com.au/mosrite/torana/history.php) The Stromberg 23-3092 only covers Holden HJ and LH and LX Torana 202ci six cylinder engines with manual transmissions may have changed to another carburettor for the later UC. I need confirmation whether my engine is from a LX or a UC and what year.

More research is required - I have moved from no chance that the carburettor was the right one to some chance. I suppose that is progress

I checked the Stromberg bible - if my engine is from a UC then it is a different carburettor a 23-3115 Holden HX and LX and UC Toranas, 202ci engines with manual transmissions :cool:

I will wait and see what the Torana gurus say! Looks like the serial is not over yet :angel: Either way I can compromise by aiming for parts off a HJ or a HX depending upon the age of the motor. Because the carburettors were not coded specifically for a Torana - no "X" stamp on them.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Dark61]

I looked at the picture first and thought the x looked real dodgy as in added after and so without all the other info , i would have gone for reconditioned.
Well done for sticking with it. Drives me nuts when i'm trying to track something down and cant get a definitive answer.
Cheers,
D

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I just had a member of the Torana forum identify that the engine ... "(X)QL887212 is from a 9/77 to 12/77 LX Torana auto".

It was also recommended that I list the engine as being out of a 12/75 LH Torana which is just ADR27, so just a canister. As a safe bet getting parts off 1/75 onwards HJ Holden.

So I am still in the look out for another carburettor and inlet manifold. At least the HJ is a hell of a lot more economical to buy parts for - having the name "Torana" seems to pile extra dollars upon each part.

The quest continues - sigh!

I am joining the local Early Holden Club so at least I will be able to see what should go where and what I actually need by being able to look at t real car.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[DaveS]

Hello All,

I just had a member of the Torana forum identify that the engine ... "(X)QL887212 is from a 9/77 to 12/77 LX Torana auto".

It was also recommended that I list the engine as being out of a 12/75 LH Torana which is just ADR27, so just a canister. As a safe bet getting parts off 1/75 onwards HJ Holden.

So I am still in the look out for another carburettor and inlet manifold. At least the HJ is a hell of a lot more economical to buy parts for - having the name "Torana" seems to pile extra dollars upon each part.

The quest continues - sigh!

I am joining the local Early Holden Club so at least I will be able to see what should go where and what I actually need by being able to look at t real car.

Kind Regards
Lionel


Hi All

New to the forum, so if I have asked this question in the wrong area, I apologise.

I have a 1977 LX torana and an engine number QR304887 253 that I am trying to identify, and if it is possible, to link the engine to the VIN.

Thanks in advance.

[Lionelgee]

Hi All

New to the forum, so if I have asked this question in the wrong area, I apologise.

I have a 1977 LX torana and an engine number QR304887 253 that I am trying to identify, and if it is possible, to link the engine to the VIN.

Thanks in advance.

Hello Dave,

Try this link out - they may be able to answer your questions about Torana VINs off engine numbers. Accessed 6th January 2023 from GMH-Torana (https://www.gmh-torana.com.au/forums/)

Kind regards
Lionel