47 replies to this topic

[EunUCh]

If motor has been rebuilt it probly got 308 head gaskets on it,when you buy a set the pack reads suit 253/308 but the bore on 253 is smaller and when 308 head gaskets fitted it kills compression by in effect givin you a larger cc combustion chamber(bad for compression,bad for power,bad for emissions),if you plan on pullin heads off to do head work might pay to check this out,roller cam would be good idea if you can get one,as said leave valves std,part num for gasket is ax130gtr by acl,

[RIM-010]

That's a lot of Too Fluffy Tree's you've got there Pat! I thought I was doing alright, I've got 4...

Tim

[makka]

hey Pat, have you got a spare set of pre-poll heads lying around off any of those fluffies?

[mr5000]

not all wbs had 4 barrels dads wb ute came with a factory 2 barrel as every one has said piss the points off up the comp new broomstick some match porting and extractors pretty much what i have done to mine but mine needs bottom end rebuild
im saving up for bigger and better things
but the 253 in the torry will eat my 5litre vq

[fuzzypumper]

If motor has been rebuilt it probly got 308 head gaskets on it,when you buy a set the pack reads suit 253/308 but the bore on 253 is smaller and when 308 head gaskets fitted it kills compression by in effect givin you a larger cc combustion chamber(bad for compression,bad for power,bad for emissions),if you plan on pullin heads off to do head work might pay to check this out,roller cam would be good idea if you can get one,as said leave valves std,part num for gasket is ax130gtr by acl,

Yep , very good point I reckon they did to mine many years ago. I think ACL has a 253 & 308 gasket with a crush thickness thats nearly as thin as the the factory metal shim which will give as close to factory compression as you can get.
I have calculated that if you use the standard 308 monotorque gasket on a 253 you can loose close to 1.0 to 1 off your compression ratio . No good!

[makka]

ACL also make a steel shim gasket to suit 253's

[yel327]

not all wbs had 4 barrels dads wb ute came with a factory 2 barrel as every one has said piss the points off up the comp new broomstick some match porting and extractors pretty much what i have done to mine but mine needs bottom end rebuild
im saving up for bigger and better things
but the 253 in the torry will eat my 5litre vq

Yes they did. There was only the one 4.2 engine option L36 in WB which only came with a Quaddy.

[GML-31]

the article from here that doesnt come up... its a good read

[REDA9X]

My own personal experience with my 253 in my SS was a mild cam, red 308 manifold with a blue motor rochestor, VK Group A aircleaner and electronic distributor. The heads were mildly worked and for unleaded I fitted the hardened valve seats and bronze valve guides. It still had the standard manifolds but it ran very well and was more than a match for a stock 308, a set of extractors would have done more.
As for what had what engine wise
Most red 308's were four barrel rochestors except some of the earlier models. All red 253's were 2 barrel
Blue motor introduced in 1980 took the 253 to a four barrel rochestor jetted accordingly. The blue motor also went from the old points distributor to the electronic ignition. Both VC-VH and WB shared the same 253 motor with the four barrel on top.

[yel327]

Most red 308's were four barrel rochestors except some of the earlier models. All red 253's were 2 barrel
Blue motor introduced in 1980 took the 253 to a four barrel rochestor jetted accordingly. The blue motor also went from the old points distributor to the electronic ignition. Both VC-VH and WB shared the same 253 motor with the four barrel on top.

Not true. 308's were all 4 barrels from the first in a HT Brougham in mid 1969 through to the last mid VK (and then also as a 304 through to the end of VL except for the Walkinshaw) with one single exception. In about 1979/80 the M series Bedford could be optioned with an L43, which was a BV prefixed low compression 308 which ran a 2 barrel Rochester.

[TerrA LX]

Not true. 308's were all 4 barrels from the first in a HT Brougham in mid 1969 ........

Mmmmm. Whatever.

[yel327]

Mmmmm. Whatever.

Facts are facts, boring or not (I do apologise if that is what I have done ie bore you. Being sincere not sarcastic).

[TerrA LX]

Facts are facts, boring or not (I do apologise if that is what I have done ie bore you. Being sincere not sarcastic).

Not boring me at all, I AM willing to learn something new but just because we believe in something all your life does not make it a fact, that is why i changed my post before adding the reply to "Mmm whatever".
Someone else may be able to enlighten you but for me nuf said.

[rodomo]

In about 1979/80 the M series Bedford could be optioned with an L43, which was a BV prefixed low compression 308 which ran a 2 barrel Rochester.

Do I remember FastEH saying his Dad had one of these?

[yel327]

I would love to know if there was ever a 2 barrel 308 fitted to a Holden (other than the Bedfords). It's certainly new to me, and i've never seen it in any Holden literature, anywhere. It should also be a different engine code eg xV for the prefix and L43 for the low comp engine.

[TerrA LX]

I keep getting the feeling I've seen a Holden V8 with a factory fitted 2-4 barrel adaptor plate. 2 barrel carb onto 4 barrel manifold. Possibly blue or black motor? Or am I just going senile? I have a feeling it may have been one of the last of the 253's - WB or VH perhaps? It was a long time ago and I've murdered plenty of brain cells since then lol

They used to do this to the reds at holdens.

[yel327]

I think you are describing a Bedford engine although i'm sure they were 2 barrel manifolds. P/N is different to a normal blue V8 manifold. I'll do some more research - been meaning to do this for a while. Still can't find any mention of a 2 barrell 308 anywhere else.

[yel327]

I could find no oddity in any HT-VK 253 or 308 in any production Holden. The only oddball I can find is the 253 in the Hurricane had a 4 barrell on it.