Thread: Blasted thing won't start...

Originally Posted by SG1 Bones

Thanks mick88, I finally found those numbers. It is definitely a 202 and I found the engine number ZL11098. I googled some information on it and am I right in thinking that the 202 was from an HZ Holden? If that's the case I'd like to know what happened to the car because my SIII is a 1977 model which is when the HZ first came out and they ceased in 1980, so the engine would have been still quite green when it was dumped into my SIII.

By the way I tried hitting the starter motor but it still didn't kick over, but on the first try of turning it over the click was followed by a sound that sounded like a spring relaxing (if that makes sense). 😡

Would clutch starting work? I am thinking along those lines because of one of the ideas mentioned above. My only concern is that with living on a hill is that if I don't get it started I'll have to try to drag it back up again.

I've been thinking about what would have been the original engine wether a 4cyl or a 6cyl. What would be the main things to see to confirm its original heart?

Thank you all so much for your assistance.
Nathan.

P.S. Sorry for the long post.

Hi Nathan,
your vehicle may have run on the original motor for many years before it had the Holden transplant.
Looks like the ZL prefix engine was for a 202 in a late HZ.
Holden Engine Numbers ID Guide


What is your vehicle's chassis number?
Post it up on here and we can find out if was originally a six or four cylinder motor. Alternatively check to see if the front cross member has been cut modified to move the radiator forward or take a pic of the bulkhead inside the vehicle around the transmission tunnel and post it on here. The bulkhead is different on the six as opposed to the four.


Cheers, Mick.

Originally Posted by mick88

Hi Nathan,
your vehicle may have run on the original motor for many years before it had the Holden transplant.
Looks like the ZL prefix engine was for a 202 in a late HZ.
Holden Engine Numbers ID Guide


What is your vehicle's chassis number?
Post it up on here and we can find out if was originally a six or four cylinder motor. Alternatively check to see if the front cross member has been cut modified to move the radiator forward or take a pic of the bulkhead inside the vehicle around the transmission tunnel and post it on here. The bulkhead is different on the six as opposed to the four.


Cheers, Mick.

G'day Mick88,

I realize that it may have been many years later but it makes me wonder when the transplant happened. I find it odd that the age of the vehicle and engine are very close in age.

The chassis is 94301841C. From the difference I see with the interior compared to a S2a I am thinking it was a 6cyl. originally. I can't find any mods to the front crossmember either. It just excites me to think of what past life it may have had.

Thanks for your continued assistance.
Nathan.

I suspect that the original engine wore out at a time when HZ engines became common at wrecking yards. It's also useful to fit a replacement engine that meets emission regs for the year of manufacture of the original engine. Therefore you are best off not fitting an earlier one.

Originally Posted by SG1 Bones

G'day Mick88,

I realize that it may have been many years later but it makes me wonder when the transplant happened. I find it odd that the age of the vehicle and engine are very close in age.

CALVIN shows it as:
Series 3 1972-1979 109 six cylinder
Body: basic
CKD: Completely Knocked Down.
C: denotes two significant design modifications.


Clifton Scientific Text Services, the Netherlands


I am not sure what "C" mods would be.
Others will be able to explain the modifications.

Thanks mick88, I haven't noticed anything significantly different as a modification. Would it being fitted with a tin top be counted? It would be interesting to know would be the modifications.

Nathan.

I finally had an opportunity to try clutch starting the old girl and with a bit of a cough she started superbly. I think now it's definitely the starter, when I parked her bs turned her off I tried to start her again and she didn't want to.

Can anyone recommend wether I should go to the wreckers and get a second hand starter or should I buy new? What about a rebuild?

Thanks
Nathan.

I'm guessing it's the old Holden starter, in which case, it should be rebuildable. I'm in no way suggesting you should go that route, but I'd at least drop into an auto electrician and get a price on the job, if nothing else, it'll give you a figure to judge against new prices.

Second hand? Go that route when you find out what new or rebuild costs. My thinking there is that a vehicle that's hard to start will always be a pain in the rear cushioning and second hand is always a bit of a lottery - a good option if new or rebuilds are expensive, not if you can afford new.

Just random thoughts mate.

Brand new starters are under $100 on fleabay, but who knows what quality they are. For that price though, it may pay t o find out.