Hold(en) my beer - Monaro, Ute and Commodore content

[fred bloggs]

Damn, only just caught up with this thread.
Id also say the damper is the cause of that debris, but its not uncommon for some machining debris to be floating about, no matter how meticulously its cleaned.
I'd have probably stopped stripping when I found the damper issue and cleaned up and gone again.

[SturdyHSV]

fred bloggs said:

I'd have probably stopped stripping when I found the damper issue and cleaned up and gone again.

I think you'd have probably been right as well, and of course I could have done all of that in situ

Still, it'll have fresh bearings in there which won't hurt, and it's given some peace of mind that the bearings were otherwise in reasonable shape, and although the skirts are definitely taking more abuse than they would do stock, the pistons aren't being milled away into oblivion...

Once back together I suspect I shall just enjoy / abuse it and keep an eye out for oil comsumption, and keep cutting open the oil filters when I do oil changes to see if anything changes.

It's been a learning experience anyway, the clutch looks in good shape, everything has held together well enough internally so will just treat it as a high performance / high maintenance engine and keep an eye on things. Given me some confidence / experience for doing another build in the future too.

[PomBstard]

Good couple of pages to catch up - vicarious pleasure! I am only slightly jealous as I’d love the time and space to have a go at something like this, perhaps not quite to this extent…

SturdyHSV said:

Given me some confidence / experience for doing another build in the future too.

This ^ sounds promising - what next? I mean, after you’ve finished this one, let’s say, after lunch…??

[fred bloggs]

I'm still in limbo with what to do with mine, due to the looming ulez, but my brain keeps formulating a vision of starting a bare shell
monaro build.

[TheAngryDog]

SturdyHSV said:

It's been a learning experience anyway, the clutch looks in good shape, everything has held together well enough internally so will just treat it as a high performance / high maintenance engine and keep an eye on things. Given me some confidence / experience for doing another build in the future too.

Sounds like something an E60 M5 owner might say

[SturdyHSV]

PomBstard said:

Good couple of pages to catch up - vicarious pleasure! I am only slightly jealous as I’d love the time and space to have a go at something like this, perhaps not quite to this extent…

SturdyHSV said:

Given me some confidence / experience for doing another build in the future too.

This ^ sounds promising - what next? I mean, after you’ve finished this one, let’s say, after lunch…??

Haha, the workshop space is a treat and I'd argue a necessity for a bottom end build, but arguably I did my cam swap (which included taking the heads off) just in the garage with the nose at the open doors end, so with your Aussie climate you've no excuse They're big friendly things to work on really, and there's so much information out there, even if finding the key tips / tricks can be a hindsight infused pain in the arse!

Next build... Unsure. I'm a little concerned with the re-sleeving process that it just wouldn't last, some think that the sleeves will always end up moving slightly at some point and then you end up with a big mess... So I'd maybe be looking at starting from an appropriate block, either find an LS7 one (they really don't turn up for sale undamaged) or go very excessive and get an aftermarket block from which to build something silly...

I do really like the idea of a 427, my thinking ends up being use my existing 4 inch stroke crank / rods paired with pistons in an appropriate block to build a 427, and then bore my existing LS2 block a tiny amount over to tidy it up, put a 3.900" stroke crank in to ensure the pistons are supported and build that up as a 392 with a smaller cam for the Ute perhaps.

Basically it feels like with the experience I've picked up from this build, I'd be able to make a better stab at it next time round, and so I sort of want to build another one better with the benefits of what I've learnt.

All a bit pie in the sky, but I really enjoy the researching and the learning, and the drive is there to want to do it better etc.

fred bloggs said:

I'm still in limbo with what to do with mine, due to the looming ulez, but my brain keeps formulating a vision of starting a bare shell
monaro build.

The ULEZ thing is ridiculous, and seems totally urneasonable that you can't get the car inspected / tested to verify it meets the same standards as ULEZ compliant Monaros as it's the same drivetrain.

I do like the idea of throwing away all of the body control module, audio, HVAC stuff and really lightening up a Monaro, it's a direction I was pondering going with the Ute.

My plans / dreams flip flop a lot. The Monaro is pretty close to how I want it now after that brake upgrade, I think a bit of exhaust refining is needed but overall it does what I want it to do.

The Ute I was thinking "TRACK CAR!" but after driving that standard Monaro VXR the other week, I'm now just thinking put the manual in it, sensible enough springs / dampers and just make it a rounded road car, much closer to that standard VXR.

The wagon needs a supercharger. Looking at prices for kits from Aus, I will actually end up just giving it to Walkinshaw to fit their package as the price is far cheaper than I can even get hold of a blower kit from Australia. I'd like to experiment with sound deadening on the wagon, it's already a heavy car and will have supercharged torque to help it get out of its own way, so I think making that quiet and refined inside will match well with the automatic, and distinguish it from the other two.

TheAngryDog said:

Sounds like something an E60 M5 owner might say

I did reuse a couple of bolts from the gf's E36 on the Monaro a few weeks ago... Look where I am now, replacing rod bearings like a true ///M lover!

Edited by SturdyHSV on Wednesday 31st May 14:11

[fred bloggs]

SturdyHSV said:

The ULEZ thing is ridiculous, and seems totally urneasonable that you can't get the car inspected / tested to verify it meets the same standards as ULEZ compliant Monaros as it's the same drivetrain.

If I did get my car tested, it would fail miserably, and im not going to put a stock cam and cats in it, I'd rather re-shell it.

[SturdyHSV]

Well, duty paid on the FedEx shipment, looking good for bits arriving tomorrow then!

[SturdyHSV]

Well, everything turned up at 9am on Thursday, which was mighty impressive considering it was ordered on Tuesday.

Sadly the replacement hub I ordered was the wrong one. It appears to be the one for all LS engine specific hubs ATI offer, but seemingly not the one I have. I've contacted their support for the correct part number.

I've also had a couple of support dealings with Yella Terra (asking about bolt strength for me to source a replacement for the rocker one I rounded off) and Improved Racing (just asking about that barbell having pushed out). Both of them have been very responsive, very friendly and very helpful. Still waiting on ATI though

[Samjeev]

SturdyHSV said:

Well, everything turned up at 9am on Thursday, which was mighty impressive considering it was ordered on Tuesday.

Sadly the replacement hub I ordered was the wrong one. It appears to be the one for all LS engine specific hubs ATI offer, but seemingly not the one I have. I've contacted their support for the correct part number.

I've also had a couple of support dealings with Yella Terra (asking about bolt strength for me to source a replacement for the rocker one I rounded off) and Improved Racing (just asking about that barbell having pushed out). Both of them have been very responsive, very friendly and very helpful. Still waiting on ATI though

What's the deal on the barbell pushing out?
Assuming it's not meant to be like that I suppose a small "fix" could be to put a small bolt in the threaded part (assuming yours has a thread in the end like mine) and that will butt up against the rear cover to stop it backing out?

[SturdyHSV]

Samjeev said:

SturdyHSV said:

Well, everything turned up at 9am on Thursday, which was mighty impressive considering it was ordered on Tuesday.

Sadly the replacement hub I ordered was the wrong one. It appears to be the one for all LS engine specific hubs ATI offer, but seemingly not the one I have. I've contacted their support for the correct part number.

I've also had a couple of support dealings with Yella Terra (asking about bolt strength for me to source a replacement for the rocker one I rounded off) and Improved Racing (just asking about that barbell having pushed out). Both of them have been very responsive, very friendly and very helpful. Still waiting on ATI though

What's the deal on the barbell pushing out?
Assuming it's not meant to be like that I suppose a small "fix" could be to put a small bolt in the threaded part (assuming yours has a thread in the end like mine) and that will butt up against the rear cover to stop it backing out?

Yep, that is something I tried and suggested to them. They're looking in to it out of curiosity anyway as to whether it'd be worthwhile putting a little screw in place to hold it flush.

They've been double checking measurements and such, but realistically it's what the factory one also does, the o-ring is in the same position as the factory one would be, the oil pressure will inevitably push the barbell backwards, and the rear cover holds it in position.

In terms of the Yella Terra rocker bolts just for reference, mine has the 10mm bolt upgrade, they use SAE grade 8 bolts, so a metric class 10.9 would be slightly stronger (both are just over 1000MPa tensile strength). It's a 45mm bolt (from under the cap to the tip). What's made it awkward however, is typically M10 allen heads are ~16mm in diameter, and the space in the rockers is ~15.75mm. The YT bolts supplied have a roughly 14mm diameter head, so finding something similar that'll give plenty of clearance has ended up being more awkward than anticipated!

[SturdyHSV]

ATI got back to me, needed a 916031 it seems. So close

Nice sunny evening so cracked on with sorting the Ute's MOT issues. Just replaced track rod ends and drop links on both sides as if one is going, the other is likely to be as well, which turned out to be the case for the track rod ends at least.

This was the "rear brake pad incorrectly mounted"... Half one of the spring retainer things was out



Passenger side track rod end needed some heat to get undone, but otherwise all came off easily.





The brakes look great



Same can't be said of the paint on the edges of the bumper, this has just sort of worsened over time like this in both sides.



Sheila's going to need some rust treatment underneath soon so going to look for somewhere to carry that out for me I think, want a decent job done of it.

[PomBstard]

SturdyHSV said:

PomBstard said:

Good couple of pages to catch up - vicarious pleasure! I am only slightly jealous as I’d love the time and space to have a go at something like this, perhaps not quite to this extent…

SturdyHSV said:

Given me some confidence / experience for doing another build in the future too.

This ^ sounds promising - what next? I mean, after you’ve finished this one, let’s say, after lunch…??

Haha, the workshop space is a treat and I'd argue a necessity for a bottom end build, but arguably I did my cam swap (which included taking the heads off) just in the garage with the nose at the open doors end, so with your Aussie climate you've no excuse They're big friendly things to work on really, and there's so much information out there, even if finding the key tips / tricks can be a hindsight infused pain in the arse!

Ha! You’re right, the space bit could probably be made to work - esp if I moved my office out of the garage. But I’d still be fked on the time bit, esp as it’s our main family car and gets lots of daily use. I can squeeze them all into the 968 but the screaming from the boot is always off-putting…

[SturdyHSV]

PomBstard said:

Ha! You’re right, the space bit could probably be made to work - esp if I moved my office out of the garage. But I’d still be fked on the time bit, esp as it’s our main family car and gets lots of daily use. I can squeeze them all into the 968 but the screaming from the boot is always off-putting…

Haha, yeah you don't want to be doing this stuff on a car you need on Monday morning

Sheila is MOT'd and taxed so will be doing some nice daily duties for a bit and also being our tend for Le Mans weekend at C&M



Odd with what I assume is the lacquer fading off the bumpers.

[SturdyHSV]

Took the wagon over to C&M in the end, there was also a WH Statesman that turned up which we suspect is the only one over here as well, so quite a rare little corner of the field











Nice bit of sunshine and good to catch up with people in person

Using the Ute this week and will be camping in it over Le Mans weekend, will need to reclaim the tent from the spiders in the shed Can feel the extra tightness in the steering from the fresh track rod ends, it's driving nicely at the moment, although could do with some refreshed dampers.

The correct hub has now shipped for the Monaro, so will look to crack on putting that back together. I could have easily had it all back together and just ready to slide the hub on to be honest, but I can only really focus on one thing at a time clearly, so currently it's Le Mans weekend

[SturdyHSV]

Took TB Ute to get the aircon regassed turns out the MOT tester has a Monaro


Aircon sorted, topped up oil, coolant, tyres etc, and packed up for camping at Caffeine & Machine



Got a nicely shaded spot



Wherever I go today there's a Holden



Dogbear approves



Time for a few beers, it's Le Mans after all

[SturdyHSV]

Well, long time no post. Ute survived Le Mans weekend, although the plastic end tank on the radiator split a bit some weeks later, so I'm waiting on an aluminium replacement at the moment. It's pretty common on the Monaros aslnd VXR8s with age, so not too fussed.

I could use the Monaro's old one and update the cooling system but I don't need more projects at the moment.

With some time off for summer shutdown I set about fitting the H&R coilovers to the wagon, and some VXR8 brakes, which are 4 pot AP calipers all round and much bigger discs.

Long story short, it looks the duck's guts.







Turns out the big rear calipers and the dished rear wheels don't play together, so it's stock milk bottle tops out back. Ho' hum.

Took it for its MOT and passed with no advisories.

It sits really nicely. Ride is also still comfortable, feels much flatter and positive turning in, but it looks so good, which is really why I did it.



I finally got around to getting on with the Monaro too. The main bearings had really chewed on some quality metal chunks, the worst being this one, number 1 right next to the oil pump that was generating the swarf.



Crank journals look / feel fine, so ultimately new bearings all round and back together it went.





I've ended up seeing a lot more of this sexy clutch than I expected, so I suppose that's a positive thing...



Mated back to the gearbox and then the awkward dance of getting it back in the car. The rocker covers being at eye level isn't scary at all.



There's loads of room at least



But despite all of that room, I'd not put the leveller in a very useful spot, so ultimately couldn't get it back in this evening as it hit the panel above the firewall. So I had to get the other engine support out to take the weight and put the gearbox on a jack stand so I could re-align the leveller to keep it out of the way.



Will get it in place tomorrow evening and get the prop back in and wiring, headers, steering column, crank pulley (hopefully without splitting this one...) etc.

I'm aiming for an MOT Thursday as we have a work car meet on Sunday that I'd like to make it to in the Monaro...

[seefarr]

Fantastic to see the Munro getting some love.

I imagine it must be so difficult after spending so much time and money on it for it to have issues. If it were me I'd probably sulk and leave it to rot in the corner, especially if I had that many other cylinders sat outside to make beautiful V8 music with!

[SturdyHSV]

seefarr said:

Fantastic to see the Munro getting some love.

I imagine it must be so difficult after spending so much time and money on it for it to have issues. If it were me I'd probably sulk and leave it to rot in the corner, especially if I had that many other cylinders sat outside to make beautiful V8 music with!

I sort of expected there to be problems because of the longer stroke, which I found out could be a concern after I'd bought the kit, so I was sort of expecting 'something'.

That does seem to be sub-optimal, in terms of the skirts are clearly taking a bit of abuse at the bottom where they're pulled out of the bore, but the swarf invasion was entirely because of my own mistake refitting the ATI damper, so I'm relatively at peace with that, should've taken a little more care lining it up and everything would have likely carried on much longer.

I'm sort of happier that I had a reason to take it apart really, because now I've seen what's going on inside instead of having to guess / imagine, and so can feel a little more confident in it this time around.

I think it's helped by the Monaro being the only manual at the moment, and thus ultimately the most fun to drive, so I do actively miss it.

[SturdyHSV]

So pleased with how the wagon sits now



The engine is back in the Monaro, bit to do tomorrow but we shall see, MOT in the evening