More Q,s

[Postie Bob]

G`day all.
Finally got around to checking my motor ( red 186 ) out ready for it,s first start in about 6 yrs . Filled the radiator up and had a bad leak from behind the manifolds at the front of the engine .  Is there a welshplug behind there ? It,s not the welshplug in the block.
I removed the thermostat housing and it,s badly corroded . I,m wondering if the alloy inlet manifold could corrode through and be the leak?
I think the previous owner used seawater for a coolant!!! All the alloy bits are ruined .
The PO had a new short motor fitted ( by a `shade tree` mechanic ) about 500ks before it was shedded and I,m shure he just bunged on all the old bits just to get it running. The airfilter, oil breather, etc look like they,ve done a million miles .
I,m now up for a thermostat, housing, waterpump,possibly inlet manifold and who knows what else  . 
The radiator is also shot. Are the aluminium ones like on ebay recommended or what,s the best way to go? .
Also is the electronic ignition available for these engines recommended or should I stick to the points ign?
My `little` project is gettin bigger by the minute  .  It keeps the `grey matter` active , thats all that counts at my age .
Cheers , Bob.
PS.... tried to put up some pics but can,t work out how!!!   PCs are one step ahead of me  .

[Warren]

hi Postie Bob

Follow this link for Adding Pictures to a post.

As for your leaking, from memory there are 3 or four welsh plugs on the manifold side, most likley it would be best to pull the manifold and pop the welsh plugs, flush the block and replace the plugs with new ones.

Warren

[rossie]

Alloy rads are great
Elec dissy get from a comdomadoor
The rest is just standard stuff if its been sitting, it'll be worth it

[Postie Bob]

Thanks for the info. Had to get my daughter to help me out with the pics..
Here is side view.
Cheers, Bob.

[Postie Bob]

Here,s a pic of my sad internals  .
 

[Warren]

Hey PB

In the picture of the thermostat the white stuff is the result of the aluminium thermostat housing being exposed to the air and breaking down and oxidiesing.

As the engine block etc are cast iron you get galvanic corrosion due to dissimilar metals and the softest one will corrode.

Pull the thermostat, flush the block and replace the housing and you should be OK.

Warren

[Merlin]

you should replace the water pump because the bearings will fail from sitting around for so long    cheers merlin

[Marishka]

check all your welch plugs while your at it.
if their not brass id change them all.
id prob change them all anyway if it was my van.

[Postie Bob]

Found my mystery leak .
The front manifold stud was missing and the hole goes into the water jacket . New stud with some sealant and problem solved . I hope .
Someone must have removed the stud while the vehicle was stored .
Is there a write-up somewhere on changing over to the electronic ignition? Is it much of a drama?
Cheers, Bob.

[Marishka]

i just changed mine to elec ignition,
was easy as remove old dissy n coil  fit new one,s
ebay item number=   271042257968
disy was $68.90 and coil was $60.
and i can say the distributer n coil work well.
shops in parramatta just 15mins away from my place, i picked them up, thus no postage cost.

ive seen old second hand crap for sale on ebay dearer than this new setup.
 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HOLDEN-electronic-distributor-138-149-161-179-186-202-/271042257968?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f1b60a430