HZ & HX Sandman and Engines date codes

[namdnas]

Hi this is my first time on the forum and I have a couple of panel vans I am restoring


1 is a HZ and is XX7 with matching chassis number and I just want to find out if it is possible to check the engine number the details of this Van are

7/78 2000kg's Seating cap 2

HZ8WM70 XX7
456135b Body
1933-63V Trim
568- 30524 Paint
L31 M21 GV4

8M70THH456135Z

Engine is date code 19E8 QT96****

The second van is a HX which I would like to confirm is a Sandman it also has a matching Chassis number

8/76 1950kg's Seating cap 2

HX8WM70
205426-A Body
2214-60A Trim
568-15991 Paint
L31 M21 GV4

8M70TFL356347X

Engine date code is 21G6 but has a WA police number I think W******P

Both vans have full headlining courtesy light switches and the original tyre placards HX 9942992 and HZ 9946866

Can you confirm that the HX should be a Sandman and whether there is any way of verifying the date coded engines please

Regards
Namdnas

[HK1837]

Date code is irrelevant, guide at best. Engine number is the important thing. Date codes are normally in the month(s) preceding the engine number, often the same month. Can be many months prior to build date though and consecutive PSN's on vehicles can have engines 1000's of numbers apart.

HZ is a Sandman, HX is almost certainly but you can't 100% tell from the ID plates like you can with the HZ.

[RodneyHZ253]

This tread explains date codes

http://www.mysandman.com.au/forums/s...ding-explained

[namdnas]

Thanks HK1837 is there anything else I can look for to verify the authenticity of the HX or is this as close as I can get without original sales info

[RodneyHZ253]

So the hz motor casting date is 19th May 1978 which would be in range for the 7/78hz and the second is 21st July 1976 which would be ok for the 8/76hx

[namdnas]

Thanks Rodney I think the HX 21 July 76 should be too but has the WA police number I guess without some old rego info I wont be able to find out as Holden have told me they dont have the records any longer

[HK1837]

Thanks HK1837 is there anything else I can look for to verify the authenticity of the HX or is this as close as I can get without original sales info

The HX being a 1950kg GVW HZ 308 4spd bucket seat van with door switches and full length headlining in Tuxedo black with chamois/covert trim (wow on the trim line) i'd be surprised if it wasn't a Sandman. I've recorded it as one. Can you PM me the chassis number? Nice to see another Tuxedo black one, that is 12 of them recorded now.

As the engine number is gone from the HX it doesn't mean much if it is the original one or not, you'll have to regard this one as not a matching numbers car. If you want to improve it find an NT prefix block, any cast date from 1971 to 1980 will do.

HZ engine number looks about right, if you are lucky it may be on GMH's build records still. These cease in the middle of 7/78 so it depends upon when in 7/78 yours was built. I have the HZ already recorded.

[namdnas]

I have already enquired with Holden and yes the HZ is in the range of dates they have lost the information on.

In regard to the HX did you mean a QT pre fix as I have 4 trimatic 308 blocks ranging from standard bore to 030. I also have a 308H prefix 1970 which I assume is too early. The QT's I have are 71,73,74 & 75 I think 1 ia an 11QT though not sure which one.

Also with the Chamois Covert trim what does this mean as it currently has Chamois seats, Console & door trims with an all black dash and carpet and neutral headlining

--- Updated ---

I'll send you the Chassis number when I get home after Easter

[playwme]

NT prefix I think is the Nasco replacement block numbers that are used in the case of warranty. From a collectable point of view they're the next best thing to the exact engine number it came from the factory with.
HZ looks good though. That date code would be good enough for me if I was buying it. I'd even consider the HX ok with the police number (although I'm not as fussy as some). Cops do funny stuff sometimes. They gave me a police number for my engine cause they couldn't find the number, lucky it wasn't the original block for the car.

[namdnas]

Thanks Mate that makes sense. Cheers