PA Vauxhall - 3.3 Bolt In?

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zephyrheaven, Aug 6, 8:46pm
Well, must be about time for another midlife crisis just picked up a nice PAY Fulks Hall
Its a 2.2 from memory (before the bigblock 2.6) but I have a memory from my younger days that the PC 3.3 can be bolted in - Ive had a few PC's & really liked the power of the 3.3 matched to a Ventora 4 speed floor change

Any Vauxhall guys out there know if the PC bolts into the PA - otherwise I suppose a 350/350 would be a nice combo

Cheers
lookoutas, Aug 6, 9:17pm
You go both ways!
zephyrheaven, Aug 6, 9:32pm
Had a few Vauxhalls before the Ford - always wanted a PAY (nice tail-lights & cool interior)
ralphdog1, Aug 6, 9:53pm
The 3.3 would bolt directly into a PB that had a 2.6, and that same 2.6 was used in the PA I think, so would guess you would be OK. Not sure how much change they had to make between the 2.2 and the 2.6.
ema1, Aug 6, 11:25pm
Hi Zeph , yes they do fit pretty much straight in as far as I remember but the last of the PA's in 1961 -62 had the 2.6 engine and they were almost the same size engine dimension wise.
I'd be using the gearbox that was used with the 3.3 or even better the later Victor/Ventora 3300 4 speed unit anlong with either the PA-PB type final drive or better still the PB 3.3 final drive.
My favourite of the 3.3 Vokkies was the 1965 PB 3.3 Cresta.
I used to work on several mostly Velox jobs back in the day .
The one that stood out was English assembled blood red leather interior bucket (lounge) seats in front 4 speed floor shift with O/Drive and was a Luton UK factory specialwarmed over one which could go like the clappers.
Actually the MOT cops that had some of the Velox 3.3's back then reckoned they were one of the best pursuit cars they ever had and that's saying something, they could have been warmed a bit too possibly.
Talk about Valiants etc of the day being goers this thing would "blow the doors off them" and other supposed power wagons.
The Cresta 3.3 PB was a jet black metallic with a red full length side flash, geeeez that thing could hike along, I coveted that car and still think about it even now.
Here's one in a car chase in the TV series THE SAINT.
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_49346-Vauxhall-Cresta-PB-1965.html
elect70, Aug 6, 11:26pm
Geez where did you find a PA that wasnt pile of rust , must have been hiding in a barn for decades . Bro had a Cresta"luxury model"musthave used 3 sheets of steel remaking all the panels & couple gallons of bog .
ema1, Aug 6, 11:55pm
The first of the PA Vauxhalls with the 2.2 engine I think had a different firewall/ transmission hump in the floor! in them to the later 2.6 litre ones, better check that Zeph before looking at a 3.3 swap. Take a look at a PA-X or PA-SX 1961 -62 year car and compare it with your one there.
The last of the PA models in 1962 were a damn nice old Vokkie I must say but my pick as I said before was the PB 3.3 Cresta with all the trimmings.
zephyrheaven, Aug 7, 6:25am
Cool thanks guys!
zephyrheaven, Aug 7, 6:29am
I was quite amazed myself but I havent put it on a hoist yet ahem
nathanmac, Aug 7, 6:31am
Ahh so you won it! Not sure whether to offer congrats or say sorry.!Looked solid enough, should be a bit of fun to strap the kids in for a Sunday cruise eventually.Do you have to sneak it home before Mum and the new addition get home and find out!
zephyrheaven, Aug 7, 7:52am
Nah, she is very cool about all the cars I buy - thankfully - must be the mac side of the family coming out!!

Towie picking up Monday so lets see if its - "slap on new paint / remotor it & drive" or "Wait till Oscar & Fionn are old enough & let them restore it" ha ha
petermcg, Aug 7, 8:03am
No mate the motor wont slip straight in as the vauxhall with the 2.2 motorhas a different engine mounting system and would probably require that you try to find the crossmember out of a PAX ,, the rear mount may also be different and you may need a crossmember for that rear mount
zephyrheaven, Aug 7, 9:13am
ugh

sounds like a 350 might be a go - what a shame!
trogedon, Aug 7, 9:22am
Ewww.don't butcher it with a V8. Show a little taste man.
howie69, Aug 7, 9:11pm
There used to be a lot of old farts in the Nelson area that had a Vauxhall club. I remember their horror when I got hold of a few for thedemolition derby.There could even be some misguided soles who have a club down your way that might be worth a call. Try this web site http://www.donsautopages.co.nz/nzcarclubs-2.htm
Cheers
lookoutas, Aug 7, 9:34pm
Just dump a C/door V6 & box in there zeph.
rob_man, Aug 7, 9:38pm
"misguided soles" I guess flounder can get lost.
zephyrheaven, Aug 7, 10:13pm
Not a bad idea - there is a very rapid Viva GT here that has one, total sleeper
nathanmac, Aug 7, 11:49pm
if you find them, can you send them to my frying pan asap!
zephyrheaven, Aug 8, 6:26am
That'd be great, I remember there were a few Vauxhalls lying about when I was there 12 years or so ago lol - has Jack passed on now! Lovely old guy took us in & gave us tea & scones with his wife - we happened by his place & just called in one day to ask about the cars. He helped us find a Hupmobile Straight 8 for our wedding via a club contact

Would love to get my hands on his Plymouth or maybe it was a Desoto green & gigantic
noodle34, Aug 8, 8:52am
I've got a PC cresta on wikapedia it says the PC came out with a chrysler 318 in them ( south africa) so would that bolt straight in!
nathanmac, Aug 8, 8:57am
Wow was that wagon modified for someone 8 foot tall that sat in the back seat to drive!
noodle34, Aug 8, 9:07am
LOL or the rust got the better of that pillar
neville48, Aug 8, 8:14pm
Sorry bud, the 3.3 won't go straight in. everything is different, even the bell-housing etc. the PAY motor is basically a EIP motor with a different head; The PAX is compatible with the 3.3. The CommodeV6 would be a good everyday user but a SB Chevy would make the Meke Waka aye.
petermcg, Aug 9, 6:51am
That is cool, I would like to get hold of one of those now.