fbekholden.com

That works out at around 12l/100km (at 110kph), which isn't too bad (around 21mpg, for the old farts ). Maybe a little on the high side.

Glad the trip went well

Your right Cal, I agree fuel consumption was a bit high.

While the engine is a 202 and it runs quiet smoothly, it is rather tired and low on tork
The ute's former owner provided loads of reciepts that go back prior to his purchase in 2003 and while he has maintained the engine very well he did mention it's the one area he hasn't replaced.
He was honest about this and he explained it all prior to my purchase.

After driving the ute I'm not planning on replacing the engine for some time, at least not for the next few months.
It's not at all smokey, on the trip I topped up the oil twice. I think it used around 2/3rds of a litre and as I've mentioned it does run quiet smoothly.

It's funny how events change your mind, long before I met my shoo-p-io-b blue ute my plan was to find an EK ute and install VS running gear... but now that the old girl and I have become close I'm happy with the way she is and I think I'll install a fresh red/blue/black engine and leave it at that.

I went to a reco'ed low compression red 202 in my ute with a traumatic and Holley 350. I wouldn't have been able to get any more power than that to the ground with the light rear end.

The only thing I'd do differently is scrap the Holley because I just didn't have the skills & patience to ever get the thing starting & running well (it ran better with the little asthmatic Strommie that I temporarily transplanted from the old grey motor).

MeFB wrote:I went to a reco'ed low compression red 202 in my ute with a traumatic and Holley 350. I wouldn't have been able to get any more power than that to the ground with the light rear end.

The only thing I'd do differently is scrap the Holley because I just didn't have the skills & patience to ever get the thing starting & running well (it ran better with the little asthmatic Strommie that I temporarily transplanted from the old grey motor).

You'd be surprised! I ran a stupidly high compression 202 (10.7 to 1) with a four barrel and some head work and had no real issues with traction unless I really wanted. Weak link was the eh crash box.

As for the holley another option is the factory two barrel off the gtr's etc..

Concidering I want to drive the ute to work each day, an injected Black motor would be a practical choice, I think it'd go well with the 5 speed behind a black engine.

My biggest concern ATM is getting it rego'd here in WA... Next week I'm going to take it down to a fella who does inspections and see what's required, I'm not clear on what the go is for a modified EK.

Guess I'll soon know what I need to do..

Can't be any worse than NSW

Thanks for the tip Tim, your explanation seem the likely one.
I guess driving modern cars for so long I'd forgoten to allow for rust build up in the cooling system.

I like your filter idea, makes sence.
Is that a gadget you buy or are you talking about putting one of the wife's old stockings across the top inlet of the radiator ?

Other than my over-heating problem after 3 day of driving, I'd recomend a trip such as the one I took to any FB/EK owner, I've travelled in modern cars (, which is fine) but an early Holden gives you a different experience.... obviously as long as your car in in reasonable condition.

The stock 202 in my ute is feeling a little like me... old, tried n' worn-out.
I did a compresion test a few weeks ago and it showed between 148 - 175psi.
It's still a reliable old girl but I'm getting sick of kids in 4 bangers blowing me off at lights so I've been hunting up a replacment with a bit more "zing"

I've come across a 186 block +60thou with a 10thou ground crank and lightweight flat top alloy pistons... all with new rings and bearings, it was up for sale for $700.00 ..... I got it for $400.00.

Aparently it was built a few yrs ago by an old fella but he didn't complete it so it was never finished although it is part assembled. I'll be pulling it down and checking everything before going further with the build.

I'm going to use a old YellaTerra clone head (superflow) that I've had for about 30yrs, I put it in the local engine reconditioners to it cleaned up and ready for ULP with new valves, springs, collars etc.. (,$770.00).
I've ordered a farely lumpy Crow cam 35667 (,$228.00) and a new 465 4barrel Holley, manifold, air filter and linkages (, $798.00) from Hume Performance.
The block is missing a few bits n' bobs that I'll scrounge up from here and there then do the swap over.
I'll post a few photos to keep a record of what's going into the engine build as parts arrive

Looks good mate ....my 2 cents worth ......leave it exactly as it is .....only mod would be get rid of the mags and toss some 6 inch steels painted red with chrome domes and nuts and white walls ............but then my opinion doesnt pull much sway with my missus anyway .............. Fingers