Thread: CHEAP Red Holden 202 service?

My opinion is ditch that red hunk of crap , 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
Stepping down now end of rant

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?

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.

Mick has covered it , simple motor with simple needs.

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.

Originally Posted by bee utey

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.

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.

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