Thread: Engine mods

Any of the sixes up to the VK could be used as a replacement as they are similar. The 186 has a great rep and it may be worth considering rebuilding.

Thanks CraigE. Had always considered them a good old motor but with all the other components being as they are i thought perhaps a different heart transplant altogether. Will take the head off tomorrow & see just how gloomy things may be. Motor was apparently rebuilt at sometime given by the sticker on the tappet cover. But who knows when.Bit of a downer as i had rebuilt the carby, added new leads,plugs & have a set of original ht hk points/condensor (still in original plastic cases) to have been connected thinking that all she needed was them & a decent tune-up.Ah well,thems the breaks i guess. cheers gordon

Good excuse to fit up an electric fuel pump and return line, JP High volume oil pump, new dizzy with electronic ignition. A rebore and OS pistons and rings. A bit of a cost and a bit of work, but should see you out another 300, 000kms plus. The good thing about most of the bits for these are still readilly available and not expensive compared to later model engines.
It would all depend on what you can pick another up for and if that one will last you. Maybe roller rockers and a new cam as well.
I suppose a glass half full or glass half empty scenario, depending on the $ you have available.
The main thing now with another heart transplant you may require certification and inspections. You may get away without this if you stay with a 186 or 202 as you already have one in. It is imperative you talk to a local RTA inspector or engineer you trust for advice as it would be heartbreaking to fit an engine and then have issues getting it registered.

GS, if you like I can send you chapter and verse on what to do and what components to use to change the Holden to a powerful high revving tractable engine suitable for use in a LR with the low speed diffs. They are cheap to rebuild and with the right stuff are easily changed from a low rpm high torque passenger car engine to something quite different.

I wouldn't work the engine,I had a 192 with all the goodies in a 2A and it was a PITA.I would build a 202 and go with that,or better still a worked 2.25,I have had two of them and they are better than the holden.The 186 is a good car engine but it produces torque through rev's which is no good in a series. Pat

Originally Posted by GS1967

Evening all. Well found out today that the current 186 nestled under the bonnet is pretty well shot. Fuel pump,dizzy,oil pump stuffed.2 pots down etc. So which way to go? Rebuild the red or go for original type landy? Also some one told me i could slot a VK into it. Any suggestions/advice? cheers gordon

If your thinking of rebuilding the motor, why not update to a V6 dunnydore motor. Heaps of torque and power compared to the straight sixes. Fairly cheap from most wreckers today even with the wiring looms. Only a thught, But what a wild beast it would be. Bob

Do you have any idea how much work is involved?.I'm not taking the p!ss but there is a lot more work than you think.Been there done that. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

I wouldn't work the engine,I had a 192 with all the goodies in a 2A and it was a PITA.I would build a 202 and go with that,or better still a worked 2.25,I have had two of them and they are better than the holden.The 186 is a good car engine but it produces torque through rev's which is no good in a series. Pat

In the normal high compression specification supplied in passenger cars and light commercials this Holden engine is a low speed high torque engine.

173- 118hp @ 4400 rpm 168 ft/lb @ 2000 rpm

202- 135 hp @ 4400 rpm 194 ft/lb @ 2000 rpm

I can propose an engine build that will give 150 hp without fuss, run all day at over 4000 rpm, and have near flat torque curve from under 2000 rpm up to 5500 rpm, with good torque available from clutch engagement.

The Land Rover engines were-

2.25 litre petrol 70.5 hp 16.5Mkg torque

2.25 litre diesel 62.0 hp 14.2 Mkg torque

2.6 litre 6 cyl. 86.0 hp 18.2 Mkg torque

The LR literature I have does not mention the engine speeds at which these figures are generated. Sorry about the Mkg figures but that is what is on their literature.

Most people who have had problems with Holden engines in LR's have bought used engines from a wrecker or a back yard, no idea of their history, generally high mileage and well on the way to worn out.

Have you ever seen anyone advertise an engine for sale that was not "reconditioned"? Ho, Ho.

The buyers then instal them "as is" and then proceed to run them in a manner they were not built for, and wonder why there is soon much blowby, oil and fuel consumption, and eventual failure.

I would stick with a properly reconditioned 186 appropriately modified for the job. You could do my super build but this involves some non-standard machine work and can cost a bit.

In any case, the fusible link is the Land Rover transmission. The Holden in good tune will chew it up and spit it out in due course.