Thread: Sad day - engine death rattle

Originally Posted by bee utey

It's probably just an OEM Holden piston breaking up. That happened to my brother's HG 186 ambulance at Mt Gambier back in 1978. We nearly made it back home (400km at a steady 60 km/h) but the engine was scrap at the end.

The crappy red 202`s were notorius for taking the top off #5 from memory.
Its more likely a big end as the standard red does`nt like to rev and has been said previously the bottom end ends up starved for oil feed
Time for a honest old 2 1/4 replacement

Originally Posted by 86mud

I have driven it quite a bit at 85 - 90kms per hour over the past few months and the engine doesn't seem to be revving excessively. Well, to my ear anyway. Remember this is a 44 to 50 year old motor so who knows what condition it was in.

Can I build the engine stronger to withstand high revving of should I just fit an overdrive? Changing to RRC diffs would be the cheapest option to sort the over revving issue, I would recommend a blue 173 as your best engine to reco if you want to keep the Holden 6, a little less thirsty than the 202, a lot newer than a red motor and quite robust though still needs the diffs changed or use an overdrive as you suggest.

Oh and yes, engine oil is full. I'll remove the cover plates on the weekend and inspection the lifters. Maybe pull the plugs out and take a look see. Also take the rocker cover off, see if any valves are stuck.

I suppose a faulty oil pump could starve the engine of oil. I see there are high volume oil pumps available. The oil pumps are usually pretty good, only bother to change if you reco the motor.

I have found an engine reconditioner who is a Holden expert here in Brisbane. been quoted about $1500 for rebuild and that is with hardened valve seats to suit unleaded and ported and polished head, all new seals, rings and pistons, bottom end bearings, lifters etc....just have to wait a couple of weeks as he is busy. As I said above, source a Commodore Blue 173 would be your best bet for an engine to reco.

As I don't know the history of the engine, and after seeing all the substantial amounts of rust flakes in the cooling chambers after changing the welsh plugs, I will be happier with a fresh engine.

Sounds like a reco engine (Holden or Landy) would be the go at worst.

I really want to stick with the 6 cylinder - a rover one (if I can find one) if they are worth rebuilding and will withstand 90km/h

I really didn't want to spend any more money on this truck.

Maybe I just do a rebuild on the current red 186 and then don't drive on the highway until I get an overdrive???

or doing some research, rebuild the red 186 motor to be happy up to 6000rpm

My Brothers Series 2 has a 186 and his has no issue sitting on 55-60mph at about 4000 rpm, and after talking to an old school holden mechanic he says that it shouldn't have any issues sitting on 60mph all day. Just keep the maintenance up to it.

What happens if you push the clutch in, does it still rattle?

Might be worth getting an oil pressure gauge installed. I've got one and I watch it like a hawk. I think I'm going to fit a rev counter too.

Clutch is ok, changes gears all ok.

When I start it now the engine shudders a little, then the knock starts.

I remember driving my aunty's '72 Kingswood at anything over 50mph, the engine would be screaming, but never had any issues.

Maybe my motor is just tied, and due for a rebuild.

Andrew, we have a rover 6 here, condition unknown, it does hand crank over though

Mrs hh

Thanks Mrs HH....

Questions re the rover 6 - how much to rebuild? Who can rebuild it for me and will it withstand 90kmh on standard gearing?