Registering a WB with a 350 in Victoria

[Lukeos]

I have just bought a WB panel van. Its currently unregistered. It has a 350 in it. How difficult is it to get the engineering certificate? Any problems with the emissions? Do the brakes or front suspension need to be upgraded?

[wbute]

Used to have to convert them to gas in NSW, no idea in Vic, you probably have to grow a Hitler moustache and learn to goose step down there.

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Probably easier to just use a Gen 3 these days.

[axistr]

So long as you can prove the engine meets the emissions of the WB year model there shouldn't be any issues. The Americans had more strict engine compliance than we did in the same engine build year. The engine emission build must meet or exceed the ADRs of the vehicle the engine is being fitted to. You need to get the engine and build numbers off the engine. On SBC this number is at the rear of the engine at the top near the distributor and bellhousing bolt up. The engine number is stamped up the front of the engine near the water pump, and the build number/series are raised cast numbers. When you have the engine data a quick search on the internet and you should find all you need to know about that particular engine.

If the engine has all the original pollution gear on it that complies with the WB ADRs you should only require a blue slip and wont need an engineers report.(provided the engine has been installed correctly) SBC was an option on HQ and some HJs. Fitting a SBC into a HQ-WB commercial Holden had a blanket approval being a full chassis and structural the same and wasn't an issue. There is also more information available on Australian government web sites (vic roads & RMS) regarding engine displacement. They give you a maths sum to work out the maximum allowed engine displacement over the largest factory maximum engine size (308) going by weight v cubic inches. In most cases for normally asperated engines is around 10-12 percent x cubic inches x weight and divided by something else(sorry can't remember the exact equation) of your vehicle. HQs was one of the vehicles that you could get away with fitting a BBC without to much drama. I would have a look around on the net and get all the information above then talk to your local mechanic that has a licence to do blue slips. Not all of these inspection station know all the rules properly. If they don't know they just tell B.S because they couldn't be bothered do the paperwork and search. A common thing to do in the 90s was for many people to say just run it on gas, as gas conversions was the new buzz and didn't require any emission testing which everyone thought you had to do, this was another myth.

Hope this helps.

[Lukeos]

Thanks very much. That is helpful. If it runs on unleaded would that be sufficient for emissions as well?

[axistr]

It was a bit of a stupid rule, the registration only required the build date of the conversion engine to be of same year or later than the vehicle being fitted to. You were only required to use unleaded if the ADRs on the vehicles factory compliance stated so. Of course you cant buy leaded fuel anymore so you don't have an option. If the heads on the SBC engine you have doesn't have hardened seats for unleaded fuel you will have to use a fuel additive or the valve seats will only last 10,000 km or less. Most SBC engines by the mid 80s had hardened seats. Again get the casting numbers of the heads and do a search. The only other way is to remove the heads and inspect.

If you have the old registration papers have a look and see if the SBC engine number is on the papers. This can be proof that the engine had compliance when it was installed and should make it easy for the blue slip guy.