Thread: Holden or Rover engine?

Originally Posted by Rangier Rover

The 186 is the pick of Holden's in the Rovers as can sustain 4000 rpm over time and not smash pistons.

I take it you have not heard of the GTR Toranas with option XU1 than ran 202's. Won Bathurst against Falcon GT's with engines almost twice the size. They ran most of the time at Bathurst between 5000 and 7500rpm. All a matter of preparation and using the right bits.

If the only Holden engines that you have access to are all 202's, then I'd go the Rover 4 cyl.

The Holden 202 was generally recognized as being one of the worst engines ever built by Holden - they are notorious for No. 5 piston letting go, and have always been well known for overheating when under any sort of load. They may survive pottering around in capital cities, but if you ever want to get out and do any work with them or any long distance touring in hot weather, they're a dud.

I once had a HQ with a 202 fitted as original - after going through two of these engines, I eventually fitted a 173 - a big drop in power but a far more reliable engine. I also used to build up Holden engines for speedway - even though we could lay our hands on as many of them as we wanted, there was no way that we would even consider a 202 due to the frequency of piston failures.

For what you're looking for, I'd be hunting around the wreckers and looking for a 186 or 179 - they're the pick of the bunch, and both have enough meat left to allow for a re-bore and a bit of work if you want to go that way. A 179 with a 149 head is a pretty spritely option, but does need a decent battery to crank it over. Unfortunately, it's getting harder to find any of these still in reasonable nick, but they are out there.

Spot on BMKal

If I remember correctly .. wasnt the 202 a 186 with a longer stroke ? I may be wrong with that but I do know that the 202 were very weak. I have had both number 5 and number 2 let go (5 being the worst).

A 186 or 179 every time hey I haven't heard of a 179 with a 149 head for a very long time ... memories

Shame you are in Vic I have a 202 engine in my series 1 I want gone

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

I take it you have not heard of the GTR Toranas with option XU1 than ran 202's. Won Bathurst against Falcon GT's with engines almost twice the size. They ran most of the time at Bathurst between 5000 and 7500rpm. All a matter of preparation and using the right bits.

We have crossed this topic before..... I do mean in standard trim

I grew up with XU1s and GT fords May I mention the alloy down draft head on a 202 in the last hill climb we had here. It hosed the lot including V8 s and Turbo inter cooled Rotisseries. I know where you are coming from here but a stock 202 is still a boat anchor around series Rovers in my opinion


Cheers Tony

Originally Posted by Rangier Rover

We have crossed this topic before..... I do mean in standard trim

I grew up with XU1s and GT fords May I mention the alloy down draft head on a 202 in the last hill climb we had here. It hosed the lot including V8 s and Turbo inter cooled Rotisseries. I know where you are coming from here but a stock 202 is still a boat anchor around series Rovers in my opinion


Cheers Tony

That was the Phil. Irving design made by Hughes Engineering of Brookvale. Matt Philip, one of Harry Firth's merry men had it on an autocross Torana. It used to chew up drivelines. They experienced a lot of difficulty in the foundry with this item. Voids and porosity. Matt told me he sent it back to Hughes Eng. I was told some time ago that Dyno Dave Bennett had acquired the rights but gave up after striking the same foundry problems.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

That was the Phil. Irving design made by Hughes Engineering of Brookvale. Matt Philip, one of Harry Firth's merry men had it on an autocross Torana. It used to chew up drivelines. They experienced a lot of difficulty in the foundry with this item. Voids and porosity. Matt told me he sent it back to Hughes Eng. I was told some time ago that Dyno Dave Bennett had acquired the rights but gave up after striking the same foundry problems.

Yep that's the one. I have it on video here. I must find it. It ran very well on this occasion as my video shows. I did hear a mention of unreliability but not why. The bottom end held up well as it was sustaining some serious RPM.

In those days a lot blew head gaskets including me with over compressed engines, change of altitude and the hot day.
Pity about the Irving head as had a lot of potential

I'm not up with it now days but I would think some one has come up with an alternative head design other than working the stocky.


Sorry for thread hi jack...But is on topic of Holden's. May mince the series drive line though

If you have a black 202 then you'll be right . Best of the 202's (3.3). I have flogged the pants off a black 202 and couldn't break it . Did a similar thing to a red 202 and i was picking bits off the road for a while . And with a small mod to the firewall you could fit the black 3.3 EFI system . will work on any climb then .

Now a motor you don't hear much of now is the old 161 ..... good old donk that one .