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Technical => Driveline => Topic started by: Leif wilson on May 30, 2011, 06:34:04 PM

Title: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Leif wilson on May 30, 2011, 06:34:04 PM
beware the green death!!!

My poor old beddie died the green death on the way home the other day spraying coolant out the radiator and the exaust .....
Soooo sad!

The options, after a lot of investment so far:
ditch it ! $0
Head gasket and grind  $1200
Complete new reco motor, 5sp gearbox, holleys $6000
Someone's hotted up old commodore setup $???
Something completely ridiculous modern and overpowered $???

I love the bloody thing but if I'm gonna spend money I want it to jump!
So my question is this:

Being that I'm no mechanic and live in a flat, what's the next smart move?
Id love to put in a modern v6 and the trimatic has got to go but is that even plausible?

Would a tricked up 202 with a Yella terra head fit in the cavity?

Am I taking too big a risk investing in a van that, tho it is damn sexy, and has had almost e everything else fixed, I'm going to lose serious money on.

Or should I just suck it up, get the head gasket done and settle for a top speed of 85?

I need your enthusiasm and your unwavering faith here!!!! I'll never forget the fist time someone said "that's a f$&kin SICK car" at the lights and the guy in the porshe between us realised the comment wasn't for his car.


Leif







Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: eddy on May 30, 2011, 07:23:07 PM
jeepers who quoted you $6000 for an engine and gearbox transplant? is that for a holden 6?  hey Lief if ya got that much cash to splash go the v6 and t700  ;D DON'T DITCH IT !!! you will regret it down the track, make a few more enqs regarding engine replacement, my opinion for what its worth, if you have to remove the motor to do head repairs then you may as well replace it with a reco motor and box, and if your top speed is 85 kays thats more likely your diff ratio, how much coin have you invested so far and what do you use the van for (work or play?) that may determine wether its worth keeping however .... if you are decided to ditch it I am sure there are more than just I who would gladly take it away for you  ;)
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: MaTTe on May 30, 2011, 09:59:45 PM
hey mate, a head gasket isnt expensive and easy to replace yourself with little knowledge, unless something extreme went wrong, the motor and head are liekly fine and will not require machining (unless you're planning to gain compression)
I'm assuming you have a 202 or 186 in there?
Heads are cheap as chips, i would budget $50-100 for a running head and another $50 odd for the gasket.

Now if you want to upgrade the engine thats a completely different can of worms, but personally i'd be getting the van back on the road cheap until the time, effort, and parts are available to do the motor swap.
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Warren on May 30, 2011, 11:23:21 PM
All good questions from Eddy & Matte.

Being that I'm no mechanic and live in a flat, what's the next smart move?

Pull the head - look at the damage and see where to go from there

Where do you live ? maybe someone on the forum is just around the corner and is willing to come and Drink your Beer Have a look  ;)

Id love to put in a modern v6 and the trimatic has got to go but is that even plausible?

Yes several of our members are running V6's - check out Mezzmos van

Would a tricked up 202 with a Yella terra head fit in the cavity?

Yep same size as the 173/186 would bolt straight in - but depending on what manifold/ carby combo you may have to mod the engine cover.
 
Am I taking too big a risk investing in a van that, tho it is damn sexy, and has had almost e everything else fixed, I'm going to lose serious money on.  

Yep you are, Look I feel sorry for you, I'll take it off your hands for $100 ;)

Or should I just suck it up, get the head gasket done and settle for a top speed of 85?

More than likely a diff ratio issue, my van with a little 173 can do 110kmh

Really you need to deliver it to my place as soon as possible so that the misserable thing is out of your life forever  ::)

Warren
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: ben on May 31, 2011, 07:21:14 AM
you could always auction it off on the bedford site.. i bid $200.
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: eddy on May 31, 2011, 09:27:05 AM
now come on you two stop playing beddie games with Lief.  Lief don't pay any attention to those two, drop it off at my place I'll find room for it and you won't have ;D to worry about the naughty and bad van any more
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Bas / NZ on May 31, 2011, 06:15:25 PM
Rebuild and work the 202 a little, new motor and no need for any mods.................
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Worby876 on May 31, 2011, 09:52:55 PM
there is a yella terra head for a holden red 6 going for $400 on ebay
I was looking at it but I don't want to fiddle with roller rockers etc...
Im having enough worries trying to sort out the stock standard ones.

check it out here if you're interested.

cheers

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230627461348&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156 (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230627461348&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156)
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: ben on May 31, 2011, 10:36:21 PM
roller rockers are no different to standard when it comes to fitting they just perform better
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Worby876 on May 31, 2011, 11:25:17 PM
Ok..But thats an extra $550 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CHEV-BB-FORD-1-7x7-16-YELLA-TERRA-ROLLER-ROCKERS-ST2003-/160428874200?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item255a4e59d8#ht_1076wt_910 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CHEV-BB-FORD-1-7x7-16-YELLA-TERRA-ROLLER-ROCKERS-ST2003-/160428874200?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item255a4e59d8#ht_1076wt_910)

...would it all simply bolt right on to a stock 202 block?
And what about the manifolds and extractors are they the same size or different?

and they would need stronger valve guides for LPG use...

Naah...sounds cool..but I think I stick with the red head...maybe a 173 one later if I can find
a good clean High compression model with the special valves for LPG use...
It would be good to get some more poke under the hood to pull the Motorhome better on the highway and uphills etc
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: ben on June 01, 2011, 07:16:18 AM
buy camdens. exactly what your after
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Worby876 on June 01, 2011, 04:20:10 PM
buy camdens. exactly what your after

 ???  sorry mate you lost me...is that brand of performance gear or what?

cheers

Ian
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: ben on June 01, 2011, 04:37:11 PM
camden is a bloke on this site. he said in a previuos post the other day he will be selling his 173 gas head when he gets his 12 port back..

cheers
ben
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Worby876 on June 02, 2011, 12:10:21 AM
Is that Rothu ? From Melbourne?

Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Rogue Trooper on June 02, 2011, 07:34:32 AM
Sorry Worby but rather than start mucking around with what you've got you should do one of 2 things with your money.

1.) Get your current motor running well and live with it.

2.) If you want to start spending money then look at putting at least a V6 or a small 8 into it.

Don't start chucking money around trying to get more power out of what you currently have because any power gains you get are going to be almost unnoticeable considering the weight of the vehicle you are trying to move. You want something that is going to give you sufficient torque to get that vehicle moving and a bigger engine is it. You'll probably find you even start saving on gas because you won't have to wring the crap out of it all the time.
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: cords on June 03, 2011, 07:05:03 AM
$2000 will get you a front cut of a V8 Lexus gear box motor looms computer 3.5 l go like the clappers and very compact that or go to the auctions by a write off late model falcon or commodore for about the same coin and get every thing you need this is the way i would go if i dint have a shed full of small blocks
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: jimmyfreak on June 03, 2011, 03:29:25 PM
how late model falcon??? I was gonna get rid of my panel which is pretty much sitting around...but if its gonna come in handy once i get a bedford...lol
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Warren on June 04, 2011, 12:22:09 AM
$2000 will get you a front cut of a V8 Lexus gear box motor looms computer 3.5 l go like the clappers and very compact that or go to the auctions by a write off late model falcon or commodore for about the same coin and get every thing you need this is the way i would go if i dint have a shed full of small blocks

Cords

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the Lexus where "wide", possibly to wide to fit in a beddy.

How do they compare to a 308 or 350 ?

Warren
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: BusyKiwi on June 04, 2011, 07:15:05 AM
the lexus v8 is a very wide engine, i brought a body shell off a guy who put one in a bedford, the floor was cut out to both rails and huge section cut out of firewall widening the hole, was ok job but passenger had no leg room, couldn't run heater and I think the steering had to be moved over a bit.
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Rogue Trooper on June 04, 2011, 08:24:00 AM
Yeah I had a brief look at a Lexus V8 that I had to suggested to me when I was thinking about options for repowering. It was a very brief look when I saw how big it actually is. Those overhead quad cams put a bit of size on them.
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: cords on June 04, 2011, 08:49:56 AM
yep they are a wide motor from the haeds up still doabel i personaly would go gen3 or au ba  bf windsor
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Leif wilson on June 28, 2011, 11:38:50 PM
MAAANNNN!! I just had a look at the 'moving the motor' discussion and i am definitely out of my league! you guys are nuts ;) rear engines and drag motors!! I live in a flat!

Not going to give up the wagon yet, have had way too much fun so far. already burned $13k on it, why not a bit more?

Settled on a red w/ gas gear and a yella terra from AKA5000 on this site. going down to get it from melbourne this weekend but i need to get a mechanic to install and tune it in sydney. god help me i could save some cash if i had any idea what i was doing but if i'm going to have to put my faith in a mechanic round here id love a recommendation! i've had some bad experiences of late....

L
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Warren on June 29, 2011, 10:25:31 AM
Lieth

If you can get hold of an A frame or engine hoist you can change the motor over in a day, lift the body up off the motor gearbox front end combo, wheel it out change over the motor and wheel it back in. Have a look at my and Eddys gallerys for some pics of it being done.

If the motor was running in AKAs van (and I'm pretty sure it was) then you should be able to get it running straight away on Petrol then you can drive it to a good mechanic for the final tuning.

Warren
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: matty on June 29, 2011, 09:31:52 PM
Lieth

you changing the motor or just the head?
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: ben on June 30, 2011, 07:38:51 AM
hey Leif do it yourself man you only need a few spanners and an engine hoist chain and a bar, and youll save yourself stacks..

ben
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Leif wilson on July 09, 2011, 10:56:20 AM
Getting very tempted to do it myself. Mechanics are all 'too busy' or telling me it'll be a shit fight because 'its a conversion'.
doesn't seem all that complicated to me. i even got told that installing the clutch pedal is a major complicated operation. is this true? not sure if it is hydraulic or cable for the supra gearbox but that still just seems like something pretty straight forward even if it was an auto before. can you get bolt on clutch pedal assemblies?

the motor looks pretty sweet. the only issues may come from the gearstick being too far back, the gas carby intruding into the engine cover, and getting a new tailshaft to couple with the new gearbox.

i dont think i'll have much luck trying to do it myself on the street in bondi so if anyone knows someone who wants a bit of cash to do the job let me know. the guys who were going to do it quoted $770 for the replacement plus parts and with the expectation of extra time spent on the alterations at extra cost. then told me that it wouldn't be for 6-8 weeks once i returned with the motor....

would REALLY appreciate any contacts for mechanics with workshops who would take it on soon.

L
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Jeff on July 09, 2011, 02:51:16 PM
Getting very tempted to do it myself. Mechanics are all 'too busy' or telling me it'll be a shit fight because 'its a conversion'.
doesn't seem all that complicated to me. i even got told that installing the clutch pedal is a major complicated operation. is this true?



Yes, it can be.
You need to get the leverage just right to suit the new clutch, so that there is enough movement without the clutch being too heavy.
And making up brackets so that the cable pulls in exactly the right direction.
Hydraulic clutches can have similar considerations.
But one could always be lucky and have an easy conversion.
Using the Supra pedal and all other parts would make it easier.
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Warren on July 09, 2011, 07:32:42 PM
As I've said before what your doing is not a conversion, just a replacement, do a bit more reading and research and do it yourself.

Sounds like the only slightly difficult thing to do is shorten the tailshaft.

Warren

Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: matty on July 09, 2011, 09:41:48 PM
just a thought a thought,

if your gearbox is running fine could the engine be changed now to get the van going and the gerabox soughted out a few weeks later once the van is mobile again. there is a lot of room underr the van so changing a gearbox isn't to hard at all.
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Leif wilson on August 01, 2011, 09:32:57 AM
all going ahead. using the beddy pedal and cable from Rob, all the adaptions etc seem to be in place so i think i'm going to be lucky.... if not, poor.

hoping the manual, Yella, Gas carby, twin extractor, electronic ignition version has got more balls so i can finally make Byron in a day.

wish me luck!

L
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: ben on August 01, 2011, 12:17:21 PM
good luck..:)
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Bas / NZ on August 01, 2011, 03:53:33 PM
all going ahead. using the beddy pedal and cable from Rob, all the adaptions etc seem to be in place so i think i'm going to be lucky.... if not, poor.

hoping the manual, Yella, Gas carby, twin extractor, electronic ignition version has got more balls so i can finally make Byron in a day.

wish me luck!

L

Only if you do the cam as well................
Title: Re: Yella terra, red motors and a new head for grandfathers axe
Post by: Leif wilson on August 02, 2011, 09:58:05 AM
I'm assuming that was done when AKA's mate did the Yella upgrade. all one unit so fingers crossed. otherwise what am i looking at?
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