is it possible for me to drop a reco-ed holden 186 into it! hes had it since 1960 and its still mint and reged and wof. done 387000 miles. motor starting to use a bit more oil these days.
a.woodrow,
Dec 6, 6:29am
anything is possible, but is it worth the costs of conversion and certification! verses a direct replacement or reco of the engine you have!
trogedon,
Dec 6, 6:39am
If its original (and bearing in mind how long he/you've had it) keep it original. Overhauling the engine will last for years and it'll be as it should be.
tuttyclan,
Dec 6, 7:42am
Thats a good milage out of the old girl.Has it never had a rebuild or even new rings since 1960! What viscosity oil is being run in it.eg; 20w 50,15w 40 or something thinner like a 10w-40 or 10w 30 If its using oil I would not put anything thinner than a 20w 50,if its really bad you might be able to run it on a 25w 60 I think it is.
spirogryo,
Dec 6, 8:22am
Recondition.There is a lot of pleasure to be had from an older car.My Falcon is very nice,but I wish it was a PA or MK2 Sephry. Re-power,and you have destoyed its value.
petermcg,
Dec 6, 8:25am
Hey mate, dont put a holden motor any where near it,, the vauxhall 2.2 motor that you have is better than any holden. Dont even think about a 2.6 or 3.3 vauxhall motor either as the engine mounts are different,, the holden 186 Vaux 2.6 and 3.3 have the mounts on the side of the motor and connect to the front cross member,,,,, the PA with the 2.2 motor is totally different, and mounts from the front of the motor, and also has mounts either side of the bell housing with no gear box mount. That motor you have should recon as good as gold and thats the way that you should do it.
chebry,
Dec 6, 8:26am
Do the Vauxhall motor up it should be the 2.2 for the 1960 PAY model these were good engines.
skin1235,
Dec 6, 9:28am
what do you call a bit more oil thesedays what oil is he using ( shout him a filter and a bottle of duckhams q20/50, and a topup bottle too, then observe how much it uses repowering a genuine PA with another brand engine is crazy you can still buy a set of rings for less than $100, and those old girls would tolerate the head and sump off and back on using the same gaskets unless it leaves a trail of blue you can follow the next day it ain't bad enough to warrant disturbing
zephyrheaven,
Dec 6, 9:28am
2.2 impossible for parts sadly even in the global economy
I have a 61 PA awaiting my wand - needs a quick panel & repower
Next to about 4 others of the era however but my fav shape
I will go for a bolt in later model - for my sons to drive, but have the 2.2 ready for a brave rebuilder later on
zephyrheaven,
Dec 6, 9:28am
2.2 impossible for parts sadly even in the global economy
I have a 61 PA awaiting my wand - needs a quick panel & repower
Next to about 4 others of the era however but my fav shape
I will go for a bolt in later model - for my sons to drive, but have the 2.2 ready for a brave rebuilder later on
Can change to later 3.3 with PB front clip bolted in & a crossmember if that floats ya boat
doomy999,
Dec 6, 10:14am
I have owned serveral PA vauxhalls over the years. Used to have one with a 3.3 cresta engine in it. I always thought about dropping an 8 in one for the hell of it but never did get around to it. If I did it was going to be something simple. Probably a P76 engine.
I agree with others, keep it standard unless you have a good reason to want to upgrade. If you really want or need to upgrade, then instead of going for a falcon 6 why not chuck a P76 V8 in to it. Only 4.4LLight as hell. And a simple setup. And plenty of power with out being silly. No fuel injection or computer to worry about. Just a thought.
thewomble1,
Dec 6, 3:37pm
Then the gearbox faults and then the diff blows up with the extra power. Extra power means better brakes needed. No resale value if powered by some other motor.
Do the original motor up if oil usage gets to great. Try a heavier grade of oil.
bmwnz,
Dec 6, 5:18pm
1960 PA was my very first car. I loved it. I drove one a couple of years ago. It was awful. I don't enjoy old cars anymore.
That said, in the OP's case, I'd suggest keeping it original and recon the gutless old bugger as some-one will love old cars and it'll have better value with the original motor.
doomy999,
Dec 6, 6:39pm
As I stated I do agree. Stick with the original engine. But then some people dont want to keep their car standard. Ever heard of a hotrod! Modified cars! Street cars! Sleepers! I could go on but I think you get the picture. Not every body wants their car standard! I think if the original poster does decide to modify their car then I still think a P76 would be about the most basic route they could take that would add value to their car, not devalue it. And yes of course that's quite debateable. It's only my humble opinion. Every one will have their own thoughts on which way is best to go should they choose to modify their car. And yes of course, common sense dictates upgrade of gearbox etc.
doomy999,
Dec 6, 6:41pm
I would consider buying one that was modified with a V8 and all the right gear. No way in hell I would buy one for any price that was stock standard.
bjmh,
Dec 6, 7:10pm
how many times did you wack your knees on the windscreen getting in.i agree leave it original
trogedon,
Dec 6, 7:34pm
I smacked my knee getting in to one as a taxi in Southhampton when I was a kid. Great shape though.
jmma,
Dec 6, 8:35pm
Should only do this once (o: Agree, leave as is, Vauxhalls rule (o:
bjmh,
Dec 6, 8:46pm
great bench seats in P.A just like all the cars of that era,very adequate for recreation.wonder how many of todays yuppies were hatched in P.A's
theram1,
Dec 6, 9:52pm
Don't sell it to a boy racer, they will put a rotary in it like so many old corollas, best original.
thedevil1,
Dec 6, 11:30pm
thanks guys. going to recondition the original motor in it. got a quote from a mechanic thats pretty good. oil consumption has settled since i put motorup in it. interior and body is very good. upholstery is good. yes! many a cracked knee from the window corner. lol. must mention also that the motor is a 3.3 6 cylinder. 3 speed colum shift is good. diff and universals have been oiled and replaced. drove it from hamilton to wanganui 2 weeks ago. never missed a beat. topped up with about a litre of oil to come back home.
bmwnz,
Dec 7, 1:05am
LOL. That was such a design fault! The cost of the wrap-around windscreen, as I recall.
jmma,
Dec 7, 1:18am
Good decision (o:
bjmh,
Dec 7, 1:55am
Vauxhall motors love a set of extractors and a D.C.D Weber.mild cam ,balance.aww getting off the restoring track now.
elect70,
Dec 7, 2:51am
Talk to engine reconditioner& find out ifpistons / rings& bearings are available if so get it reconditioned. Nice old carhada PAXfor whilebut the ole cancer got to it . Miracle any leftalive .
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