Faults:

Motor was still completely original and running the Fibro timing gear. One day after a roadworthy, it died on a long highway trip coming back home. I expected it to go, and suspected that it was still running the Fibro cam gear so was well prepared for that. The next day I pulled the motor, rebuilt a high compression 202 block at 40 thousand and installed it. Has literally been running great since, minus those pesky varajet-type headers which had rusted out in a good few spots. Made patch panels and started to repair with the MIG welder on absolute lowest setting, but metal was far, far too thin to get a good weld, so swapped out for a brand new set of extractors.

Apart from that, it's been bullet-proof and has been a great old wagon! Love it to bits!!! :)

General Comments:

Responds very well to modifications and a very good setup.

Removed/bypassed EST ignition system and ran brand new aftermarket HEI distributor and coil, which has given me some tuneability.

I never went much on the feel of the Torquemaster 4 speed manual gearbox, so swapped over to a Celica W50 5-speed. It was a simple conversion to do and didn't take much time. Infinitely better shift feel, has overdrive and bloody mint with the short throw shift kit.

Rebuilt a HQ 202 red block to 40 thousand with ACL Duralite pistons "HQ racing". Fitted brand new Crow 35603 cam and JP helical timing gears with new thrust plate. Bored out 4 x 3/8 holes for water ports to accept a rebuilt 2.85l closed chamber blue head for extra compression, and drilled out rocker bolt holes to accept 7/16th posts for crow stainless steel roller rockers. Slight bump in compression by fitting this head, and adjustable roller rockers have made the motor idle smooth as silk. Fitted Aussiespeed tall rocker cover "a little expensive" as stock cover along with redline chrome one didn't clear rockers on cover and were tapping on them. Bought brand new 12-port extractors to get rid of the rusted out Varajet headers and is much much better. Modified old-school John Cain 350 Holley intake manifold and fitted professionally rebuilt 350 Holley. Runs an absolute treat. Using 60 Mains Jets and 10.5 Power Valve, and 30cc accelerator pump "Info there for anyone who needs it".

The car runs beaut! Doesn't use excessive fuel, starts and runs nice, easy and smooth, and attaining around 12K's per litre overall. Car is running 3.36 LSD and 235/60/R16's. I'm using rack and pinion steering and heavy duty suspension right round with a slight raised setup on the back-end for towing etc.

For the braking system, all I've literally done is got a master and booster from a VX Commodore and made the bracket to suit and ran conversion fittings from the brake lines. Pedal feel is very light and it brakes incredibly well.

Overall it's a 35 year old car, but a great one!

Faults:

This car is the biggest piece of junk I have ever encountered. Just about everything needs replacing, and it looks like a good one.

General Comments:

The only good thing is that you can do a burnout, and that you can throw it away and not give a damn that you did. They're just getting too old, and were never built correctly. If you want an older car, cheap etc. and need a Holden then buy a fair descent VN for under 2000. Far better in everyway. Or do what any good bloke would do and buy a mans car, a Ford. No probs with Fords. Ford Built Tough.