Engine question...

[cafiem]

I hope this isn't too much of a stupid question but is the bolt pattern on 253/308 different between an auto and 4 speed box?
ie: Will any 253/308 bolt up to the aussie 4 speed?
Thanks,
Cameron.

[HX76King]

I am fairly sure that the blocks have the same bolt pattern between the two, the difference is between the turbo patter on some blocks for the turbo 400 auto.

I'd say that the bellhousings are the addaption to the block between auto and 4 speed.

So if you want the 4 speed you may need to stay away from the turbo pattern blocks.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[HK1837]

HT-HQ 253 and 308 are all trimatic and 3/4 speed pattern.

HJ-VL 304/308 manual and all 253 are trimatic pattern.

LH-LX V8 are all trimatic pattern.

10/74 (HJ) to 11/81 Holden, Commodore and Statesman auto 308 had the rear of the block drilled differently to suit the TH400 and (from 5/79) TH350.

VN-VSIII 304/350 are all TH pattern to suit TH700R4 (VN/VG), 4L60 (VP), 4L60E (VR on), T5, Getrag or whatever the HSV 6spd was called (plus Statesman derivatives).

1979-1980 Bedford truck 253 and 308 were TH pattern.

SO, if you want to fit an Aussie 4spd best bet is to get a trimatic pattern block. Almost any 253 will do. And steer clear of TH pattern engines or post VL engines. You can buy a CRS or Dellow Bellhousing to suit TH pattern 304/308 or Chev to Aussie box but not a good idea on LH-LX Torana or HX-mid HZ as their clutch mechanism use the 4spd pattern bellhousing bolts to attach to the block. Will work fine with a HQ-HJ or mid HZ-WB though.

[playwme]

10/74 (HJ) to 11/81 Holden, Commodore and Statesman auto 308 had the rear of the block drilled differently to suit the TH400 and (from 5/79) TH350.

VN-VSIII 304/350 are all TH pattern to suit TH700R4 (VN/VG), 4L60 (VP), 4L60E (VR on), T5, Getrag or whatever the HSV 6spd was called (plus Statesman derivatives).

So from this can I assume these 2 things.
1- An 11QT block from 10/74 to 11/81 will be turbo pattern (statesman 308 and all statesman's are auto?)

2- A T5 with it's correct bellhousing will bolt up to any of the earlier turbo blocks.

[HK1837]

1. Almost. All Statesmans sold in Australia post HQ AND before 11/81 will be TH pattern. Not all are 11QT though. Late HZ are 11ZT and WB are 11WT (Deville) or 12WT (Caprice). SUP and CKD 8WS (called Deville here) and 8WT (called Caprice here) sold in South Africa, Malaysia and Thailand had other engine/box options available like 250ci Chev 6cyl and TH350 or 202 and M20 aussie 4spd.

2. Almost right as well. T5 from HDT and HSV VL has a trimatic bellhousing. Rest are all TH pattern. The rear of a VN-VSIII V8 block is identical to a red or blue TH block.

[playwme]

Awesome. Now I know what to do with all those 11QT blocks that have accumulated in the shearing shed.