13 replies to this topic

[slar]

Quick Question for the engine gurus.

 

Is an 11QTXXXXX block ok to use in a September 1976 LX Torana (ADR27A)

 

This block is a virgin trimatic block and looks to be in very good nick.

I know its out of a HQ Statesman date code H181 which would make it cast on Aug 18...1971.

 

Im just wondering if this block would cause me trouble when its time to blue slip it (NSW) or cause me trouble at the RMS after a blue slip.

 

I am imagining this block should be ok as all the old blocks are basically the same and will be built with new gear so it should be up to spec.

 

Need to know before proceeding with any work to this block....I don't want hassels and I don't want to waste my time building it up just to see it become a major drama.

 

What would be a no hassel block to use if all else fails.

 

Cheers

AL

[Ice]

They wouldnt know a block from clay so to speak Al it should be fine unless you have some strange laws over there

[Potta]

Only thing is that you'll have to have the emission equipment for what ever is newer, in your case the car.

 

Unless, as Gene said, you have some strange laws over there.

[Bigfella237]

I reckon an H181 cast block should have a 5 digit engine number around the 40000 mark too, just in case it's been restamped?

 

I don't think there was any difference in pre / post pollution blocks? Although cams, heads, manifold etc. all changed.

[tuxedoss]

thought that sounded close to the block in my SS, it's also an 11QT just went and had a look and well stuff me my block is cast on the same date. Engine number is 50304, what's yours?

 

Edited by tuxedoss, 28 May 2015 - 11:18 PM.

[warrenm]

I've fitted plenty of blue/black motors in early Holdens & never had any issues with getting blue slips or problems from the NSW RTA/RMS.

[yel327]

All the RTA used to need was a letter from the engine rebuilder to state it had been built to standard ADR27A specs, but I seriously doubt it'd matter or you'd need that unless you are having the car Engineered. The blue slip place wouldn't even notice if it is a straight rego. I have seen guys put filler in the 11 before as well and just leave the QT part, not sure why as it makes no difference.

 

The main differences between this block and your original Torana are:

 

Neoprene rear main seal.

This one will probably be drilled and tapped for a timing chain adjuster.

This one won't have the stiffening at the rear of the block (and can't be changed to TH pattern).

Cast date format.

 

Be careful torqueing the valley head bolts if you use them, the bosses may already be cracked anyway.

[slar]

Ok thanks people....good info.
I rang the Nsw RMS and got the engine number checked and it came up as being from a HQ Statesman that had its rego retired in 1994....so not stolen...booya

thought that sounded close to the block in my SS, it's also an 11QT just went and had a look and well stuff me my block is cast on the same date. Engine number is 50304, what's yours?
 

My engine number is 11QT51974 sits 1670 units later than yours Brett....even though it was cast 6 hours earlier than yours....must have been on the shelf for a while to have that much difference between the numbers.

All the RTA used to need was a letter from the engine rebuilder to state it had been built to standard ADR27A specs, but I seriously doubt it'd matter or you'd need that unless you are having the car Engineered. The blue slip place wouldn't even notice if it is a straight rego. I have seen guys put filler in the 11 before as well and just leave the QT part, not sure why as it makes no difference.
 
The main differences between this block and your original Torana are:
 
Neoprene rear main seal.
This one will probably be drilled and tapped for a timing chain adjuster.
This one won't have the stiffening at the rear of the block (and can't be changed to TH pattern).
Cast date format.
 
Be careful torqueing the valley head bolts if you use them, the bosses may already be cracked anyway.

Yel327....is the neoprene seal better or worse than the rope....and it does have a chain tensioner....do i leave this out as i rebiuld it or should i replace it.

Also Brett....how does your motor go in your car....any issues i should look out for.

Cheers
Al

[tuxedoss]

The differences in the blocks are as yel327 said, as far as fitting different models there is no difference at all it will be fine. I read a long time ago the chain tensioner on 308s was pointless as it's on the wrong side of the chain, I always pug it back in but I think as yel327 it was deleted in later motors.
Be interesting to know how the engine block casting and assembly worked, you'd think a block cast on the same day would be very close in engine numbers, although the numbers are sequential across all motors including 6 cyl, so while the numbers are over 1000 apart there may have been 900 6 cylinders and 100 v8s. But it seems the blocks are just chucked in a room and randomly pulled out to be machined

[yel327]

Cast dates can vary by months between consecutive engine numbers. GMH never threw anything away of they didn't have to, if a block had a problem it'd get put aside and fixed then used later eg a broken tap or it got dropped before it was run tested, and had to be pulled apart and checked etc.

[EunUCh]

The block should/would have no issue with ADR27A, it was more of an emission rule,which would/should basically come down to the carb./manifold? and as long as the charcoal canister and the plumbing of the "correct" procedure is followed...no problems....the block only houses the crank and stuff that goes up and down and has nothing to do with global warming      

[slar]

Yes the cast date being the same for both our engines is quite interesting considering the engine numbers are so far apart.....makes you wonder what holdens system was.

So it all sounds like its ok to use my block for my torry....so ill clean her up this weekend and check the threads...remove the casting edges...welch plugs and cam bearings....then it goes to get a nice caustic hot tub to remove the crud from the oil galleries then i should have a good starting point for my build if all is good with the block.
Any more advice is welcome and thanks for the info so far
Cheers
Al

[yel327]

The block should/would have no issue with ADR27A, it was more of an emission rule,which would/should basically come down to the carb./manifold? and as long as the charcoal canister and the plumbing of the "correct" procedure is followed...no problems....the block only houses the crank and stuff that goes up and down and has nothing to do with global warming      

 

It is more than that: pistons, cam timing, heads, exhaust. If you were to try to meet it to the letter of the law this block will be fine though as stated as you'd just put all that stuff in. If it is just a blue slip it'll pass fine.

[tuxedoss]

Yes I think if you wanted to comply to ADR27A emissions you'd have trouble, nothing to do with the block. As soon as you stick a non standard cam in you wouldn't pass.