Holden engine help

[ShaneJ]

ausie 4 speed would be a better box then three speed and straight swap I believe (never done myself). another box of interest could be a 4 speed
auto from a vn/vp commodore (otherwise known as a turbo 700 or a 4L60) advantage it has the overdrive down side conversion cost would be over 1000
 I have one in my van and it seems like it would work well but my particular gear box isn't to crash hot.

ever looked into the diesiel motors getting around these days, plenty of power and torque and might be a little cheaper on rego then a V8
 but could only assume cost of conversion would be much higher.

I have been thinking about a diesel conversion. Too many choices though and not enough time to measure them all to see if any would fit.

[ShaneJ]

I have a 186 holden and trimatic out through a bedford/ crester 3.45 diff. It goes really well and has done for the last 21 years, its ok towing smaller loads but i once tower 1.6 tone of paving slabs on a tandem trailer back from Ashburton about an hour from here. was a slow trip in places and took a lot to get up some speed. However its fine towing smaller loads and flat towing other vans back from dos when they break down. Only thing is a 3.08 or 2.75 diff ratio would probably help but finding one of these to fit a beddy is not easy or cheap. So if you are considering a holden six don't discount the 186, these are often described as a happy in between, and with their shorter stroke a bit revier (prob spelt wrong). Just my 2 cents worth hope this helps.

Cheers Jeff

I never even thought about the 186. It was either the 173 cause I already have it or the 202 and its bigger

[Warren]

Thanks guys.

Its the shifter in my van thats causing all the problems at the moment. Its completely worn out and extremely hard to select a gear.

The standard shifter have some weakn spots, but can be fixed with a little effort.

If I get an aussie 4 speed do they use the same kind of shifter setup?

Similar but it has the five gates with one for reverse

Warren the Speco shifter you speak of, is that the twin lever thing?

The Speco shift I talk of is the same style (& possible manufacturer) as the standard shifter.

Some shifters like the B&M have a seperate lever for reverse, the Speco/standard ones have one lever with a gate across and up for reverse

I might look around for a 4 speed as I would probably prefer to keep the manual setup at this time to keep things simple.

Thanks

Shane

I could give you some hints on how to tighten up the 3 speed selector first if you want to save some money

When I bought the 4 speed it came out of a holden one tonner, and I got the box and shifter.

when I installed the gearbox I mounted the shifter in the standard position (bolts straight in) I also used the two three speed linkages for the forward gears (no mods required) and one of the 4 speed linkages for reverse Had to mod it a bit, (cut and bend from memory).

I also had to rebend the reverse selector leaver up a bit to stop it fouling on the bell housing, nothing drastic, and bend the stub that the gear lever sit on forward so that the gear sits forward.

Have a look at my gallery for some pics.

Like I said if you want to fix the slop in the 3 speed selector its pretty simple and can be done in a couple of hours with basic tools and a welder, to do the 4 speed you will need some heat, oxy or such.

Warren

[ShaneJ]

Thanks Warren. I might look for a 4 speed just to give it a little better drive-ability. Especially when towing the boat.

Just to have the information on here I found the following:

Holden gearbox ratios:

Manual Transmission - 3 speed

    1st: 3.07:1
    2nd: 1.68:1
    3rd: 1.00:1
    Reverse: 3.59:1

Manual Transmission - 4 speed M20
    1st: 3.05:1
    2nd: 2.19:1
    3rd: 1.51:1
    4th: 1.00:1
    Reverse: 3.05:1

Manual Transmission - 4 speed M21

    1st: 2.54:1
    2nd: 1.83:1
    3rd: 1.38:1
    4th: 1.00:1
    Reverse: 2.54:1