186-Engined Series III

[davesquirrel]

Morning all, this seemed like the best place to post.

Am looking at buying the 186-engined ex-Army SIII that's been sitting down the road from me for a year or more, but having done a bit of research online (remlr.com) and found the engine number on VicRoads matches the original Rover engine number (8-digits plus C on the end) as per the register.

This could mean one of two things: Either the conversion was done and not reported to VicRoads, or the VicRoads rego enquiry site only has the ability to display the original engine number (the replacement value being stored in a different field in their database). I guess only a call to VicRoads is going to clear that one up. Fortunately the last rego sticker is still on the windscreen - with any luck it might say 186xxxxx...

I'm not massively familiar with re-engined vehicles in Victoria - my previous car was imported from the UK with a different engine already fitted. I know in QLD or NSW there'll be an engineers plate and presumably there'll be similar under the bonnet of the Landy, assuming it's a legit conversion.

I want to make sure there's no requirement for me to get another engineers certificate as it's something I haven't budgeted for (mind you, it gives me a reason to try and drive the price down a bit more).

Funny, I started this post off with a whole load of questions, which i've managed to answer myself with some deft Googling, so this post has somewhat just become me thinking aloud.

Feel free to chip in with any advice on what to look out for with a 186-engined beast. Engine sounds good, can't imagine it gets started very often but fired up no dramas, and there was no smoke coming out of the tailpipe.

Quietly confident the old girl will be sitting in my garage before too long...

[JDNSW]

Whether there is an engineers plate will probably depend on when the conversion was carried out (many were done before such things existed) - but unless it was recorded by Vicroads, you will, I assume, have to get one. The quality of conversions varied enormously, but the major likely problem is pretty much independent of this - some of the adapters were less than accurately made, so the engine and gearbox are not aligned properly. This will result in early gearbox failure. The other question you need to ascertain is what clutch (and flywheel) the conversion has, so you know what parts to get when necessary. You should also note for parts ordering purposes whether the original engine was a six or a four (easiest is to note the firewall shape).

John

[Homestar]

If Vicroads don't have the Holden motors engine number matching the vehicle, then you WILL need an engineers certificate. Just been thought all that, and in the end decided to bung a rover 6 engine back in as it is far easier.

[davesquirrel]

Thanks both, yep sounds like a more comprehensive line of enquiring will need to be made with VicRoads. Hopefully there'll be a plate and it's all good.

REMLR indicates it was originally a 6-cyl (was a Feb 1981 certification).

[davesquirrel]

If Vicroads don't have the Holden motors engine number matching the vehicle, then you WILL need an engineers certificate. Just been thought all that, and in the end decided to bung a rover 6 engine back in as it is far easier.

I'm very sceptical of what the girl at VicRoads told me just now after checking with her supervisor, which is "yep just bring the vehicle in to get it registered, tell them the engine has been changed and they'll inspect it". Made a point of asking the same question three different ways and emphasised that it wasn't a straight swap out and the engine was out of a different type of vehicle, just in case she'd misunderstood me...

Now going to ring a place near my house that does engineering certifcates as I am a bit sceptical, and I expect i'll get a more accurate picture.

Either way i've decided to buy it as long as the bulkhead isn't shot, and if there's no engineering plate, it means I can haggle him down on price a bit. And then I can look at selling the 186 motor and having something else put in and certified.

[davesquirrel]

Meanwhile, on the VicRoads website:

2. Replacement engine is not of a type offered by the vehicle manufacturer as an option for that vehicle or where alterations, or changes to the vehicle's frame or structure are made, and/or specially fabricated supports or structures are used
You will need to attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre for an inspection of the vehicle to confirm the new engine details. You will also need to complete a Change of Vehicle Description form and provide VicRoads with:

• a VASS Approval Certificate from a VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory
• an original receipt for the purchase of the engine as proof of ownership of the engine

VicRoads Customer Service 0 - davesquirrel 1

[Homestar]

Meanwhile, on the VicRoads website:

2. Replacement engine is not of a type offered by the vehicle manufacturer as an option for that vehicle or where alterations, or changes to the vehicle's frame or structure are made, and/or specially fabricated supports or structures are used
You will need to attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre for an inspection of the vehicle to confirm the new engine details. You will also need to complete a Change of Vehicle Description form and provide VicRoads with:

• a VASS Approval Certificate from a VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory
• an original receipt for the purchase of the engine as proof of ownership of the engine

VicRoads Customer Service 0 - davesquirrel 1

Yep, that's spot on. The VASS is the expensive bit...

[davesquirrel]

The VASS is the expensive bit...

Rough estimate? I'm waiting for a VASS signatory to get back to me, but any inkling would help me with budget and timeframe planning (the less time it's taking up half the space in the garage, the happier my wife'll be!)

[DoubleChevron]

Why would you tell VicRoads anything. Let them pop the bonnet and write down the engine number. Put a big Rover air cleaner on it if it makes you feel better.

I'm pretty sure I could put any engine in my cars and the people at Vicroads wouldn't have two clues if it's the correct engine or not. So long as they can find the number to record they should be happy.

The only proviso I guess is that you don't fit a 350 small block. Anyone (even the morons they seem to always hire at Vicroads) is going to know exactly what a small block is .... and the fact the car isn't a chev Everyone fitting them to so many makes of cars has made them too identifiable.

seeya,
Shane L.

[davesquirrel]

Why would you tell VicRoads anything. Let them pop the bonnet and write down the engine number. Put a big Rover air cleaner on it if it makes you feel better.

*chuckle* Nice one Shane.

It's all irrelevant now anyway, just went down to offer the bloke some cash to take it off his hands, but in my caution-inspired absence, he's apparently sold it and the buyer has paid.

Either that or he's seen my posts here and doesn't want me to knock him down any more. Shame, i've now got a big bunch of yellow in my wallet and it's a Friday night...