Thread: Holden 202 cam, carby, manifold, etc upgrade project

The nissan conversion is the way to go. Was a bit of a pain to set up as some of the stuff was not reall up to the usual standards. You might be able to scrounge up the bits from some of the wreckers. The 4sp was stronger but the 5sp was better for performance/economy.

Good to see you are making progress. I have a really soft spot for the Holden red motors - not sure why, but probably because I've worked on so many, and you only need about 6 tools to do just about any job on them. Can't really help with gearbox ideas - I ran the standard box behind mine, and put up with going everywhere slowly, but my old IIA was just a weekend toy.

Keep us posted on what you do, and remember that a few pics along the way are always appreciated by all.

Cheers - Gav

Thanks guys.

Yes will have to get some pics up. Just yesterday changed the power valve in the Holley, seems to be running better now.

Not sure what's going on with the spark plugs. Upon doing the plug test in relation to tuning the Holley, checking for colour and what not, I noticed the ceramic part has the little black spots on it. I read on a utube video that that is a sign of pinging and predetonation. Well, I've only got a small amount of pinging now when under hard acceleration. So when I finish setting up the Holley, should I replace the spark plugs and just see what happens to the new ones? In order to be able see if any new black spots appear?

The other question I have, is when we put the new cam in, I blew the head gasket not long after. Due to the age of the head gasket just not being able to handle the new lease of life she received

So I changed this, no bother, BUT, now am burning through about 1/2 a liter of oil every 2 tanks of fuel... So about 700klms and out goes a bit more then half a liter of oil.... Any suggestions????

I think I hv decided to go with a rover drive, (now called "roamer" drive due to Land Rover not liking another company having "rover" in it's company name)..

As I do about 60 % highway driving, I would like the extra gear, BUT, as I am a tradie and put some weight in the ol girl, more range in my gears is more favorable instead of a high speed transfer case. And it seems a bigger then Ben hur job just to hunt down the parts needed to mate a Nissan (or anything else) box behind the 202...

And I think I will be putting some parabolic springs under neath also... The old ones just sit flat permanently now...

Will start putting up some photos soon

Regarding the oil consumption, there are a couple of things to look at. My first port of call would be the valve stem seals - does it blow a bit of smoke on start up? If it's not that, then you have oil passing the rings, if it is this, then you may notice a bit of blue smoke under accelaration. If the engine has a few km on it, then it could be either, but remember that the old red motors aren't a patch on modern engines as far as longevity goes. They will almost always need a new set of rings at 200KKM, and if it is closer to 300KKM, then it will probably need a rebore and new pisitons too. Did you notice a lip on the bores when you changed the head gasket - they can have quite a pronounced lip that needs cutting off before removing the pistons, as the rings can get stuck in them.

Cheers - Gav

Originally Posted by bacicat2000

Regarding the oil consumption, there are a couple of things to look at. My first port of call would be the valve stem seals - does it blow a bit of smoke on start up? If it's not that, then you have oil passing the rings, if it is this, then you may notice a bit of blue smoke under accelaration. If the engine has a few km on it, then it could be either, but remember that the old red motors aren't a patch on modern engines as far as longevity goes. They will almost always need a new set of rings at 200KKM, and if it is closer to 300KKM, then it will probably need a rebore and new pisitons too. Did you notice a lip on the bores when you changed the head gasket - they can have quite a pronounced lip that needs cutting off before removing the pistons, as the rings can get stuck in them.

Cheers - Gav

I managed fleets of sales rep cars with red engines. 300,000 k's without overhaul was the norm. Main engine problem was legs out of bed caused by wear in the Trimatic valve block which caused a kickdown at about 130-140 k'sph. Country reps were heavy footed in the days before speed cameras. In the late 60's -early 70's I traded in ex-cabs from a Sydney operator who had 50+ on the road. He used to sell 'em to me at 200,000 miles or two years. Engines were usually good but trans and diff generally shot. Trans were usually three on the tree then, autos rare in taxi service. Red engines live almost forever with regular oil and filter changes. Slant Six Chrysler live longer. They become heirlooms.

Yeah, I agree that they will go forever, but the bores are soft compared to newer engines with better metalurgy that is available today. Worn rings won't stop 'em, but they will start to use oil. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of these engines, but I have had many a head off these, and a lipped bore is very common - not a show stopper, for a quick freshen up, we would just cut the lip off, pop the pistons out, a quick hone and a new set of rings. Slap a new set of valve stem seals in while the head is off, and they are good to go again for ages. Could do all this on a 202 in a day easily. Cheap and easy fix.

Oh, and I'd forgotton about the leg out of bed on these - did that in my brothers HJ years ago when overtaking a mini - but mine was caused by the new twin carbs I had being set too lean. I felt a slight surge, followed by a loud bang, lots of smoke and red lights on the dash... Needless to say, my brother was less than impressed... Number 2 rod was hanging out the block, piston was AWOL. when we pulled it apart, there was damage to all the other pistons.

Awesome, thanks guys.

Still no photos, busy with work an kids, as I'm sure most are. Will try on the weekend, having a garage sale so should have some down time.

Didn't notice a lip when I had the head off, but then again wasn't really looking for one.. But nothing jumped out at me when I was checking things out. Hv a guy who I can get a full motor off for about 200 bucks. Still goes but is old. Am thinking I'll rebuild that one in my own time while learning how to do it, and just keep topping up the oil on the current one. Then when I eventually get around to finishing the rebuild do a swap over.

Prob do that in the background while putting the overdrive on the gearbox.. Just gotta come up with $ 2k for roamer drive first

Any one got any advice on parabolic spring setups??? My current springs with army shackles at pretty much permanently flat.... No more "spring" left in em....

Lucky I love my ol girl... Was a great chassis and body, very clean neat and straight... The dash is still in good nick. No cracks in it

But I still hate Lucas wiring.... I did ten yrs ago when I was 18 and bought my first series 3, and I still do now with this one... Put a new blinker arm in, now I got no headlights... hv parkers and high beam but no head lights.. Lucky for test lights I suppose

I have the easy conversion to the lt 77s 5 speed , this is in my iia forward control. The holden 6 uses the common 6 to landrover conversion found all over Aussie , the lt 77s bolt pattern is a sraight fit .The lt230 can be then used to this and make the truck permanent 4x4 or with an ashcroft kit can be 2 or 4 wheel drive (as mine is). The gearing 1st to 4th is almost the same as series ratios with the 5 th being overdrive. The lt77 ratings are for around 320 nm whereas series boxs are 290 nm , the lt77s is around 350 nm as the large bearings and mainshaft is almost the r 380 box spec . This will make it all Landrover and all modern for spares, give it a try! Mine has the Webber conversion, extractors, electronic ignition is a must, set up manifold vacuum and towing cam and larger valves but i didnt go for the 186 head. It goes great and top gear gets 2500 revs at 100 km/ hour. It delivers around 19 lt/ 100 km (it is pushing a shed lets face it) and when the distribiture is recon it will do better.