With the 202 head on a 179, you may want to check how the compression is going to end up. The performance gain may be negated by the comp drop, or you could add one of those dinky-di $300 Jap blowers!

Ghost in the Machine!
Not really, I asked RET to help out, which he kindly did. In the mean time I am trying to scan that picture a bit better.

I spotted one on the weekend at a swap-meet (Kapunda) and was curious as to what they may be worth.

In the April Parts Peddler, there is a mob in Melbourne, Canterbury Tyre and Mag Supamart. They advertised some Tasmans and the by the pic the centre caps are in good nick.

The centre cap is a gold/light brown picture of Australia with a red background.

I did have a pic once from Tony (? sorry it was a while ago now) in the ACT, I got my 14x6 Tasmans off him but there were no caps.

Me too!!
I'll even settle for a good quality scan so I can get stickers made up.

Just pulled out the July '96 issue, very nice car, you should scan the main photo for your ID Pic/icon/avatar/whatever the hell that little picture is called

Are there any tricks to removing the "HOLDEN" and the "SPECIAL" stainless trims on the FE boot. I couldn't see any hole on the inside of the boot to undo them?

Secondly, the boot on the good car does not line up properly and has a split in the metal around the the hinge bracket, looks like it has been opened too wide a few times. Are there any tricks to repairing? or do I just weld it up?

Thirdly, what colour/type of paint is/was used to paint the letters in the stainless trims?

OK guys I have heard enough!
Makes me want to cry  

Thanks RET, the Magna one sounds interesting and cheap and probably not as worn. Can you give me any leads?

First step is to call your local Dept of Trans to see if the swap is legal. I am adding my 2 cents, but people like Ed will probably help out better cox they are doing the V8 conversion themselves.

IMHO, you should stick with the 308/Trimatic combo, a properly rebuilt trimatic can handle heaps of horsepower and I believe they are lighter and rob less power than a Turbo box.

Just about any brakes can be fitted to a HR front end, easiest is probably HQ. Hoppers Stoppers are a good place to start.

Booster, you could go remote with a VH40 or the like, or modify the firewall to take a conventional booster. I have modified mine for a LC/J Torana booster.

Diff, depending on the front brakes, you might be better off getting a late model V8 CommoNdore disc unit modifed to suit.

You could probably get the crossmember and gear off the shelf from maybe Dellow or The Castlemaine Rod Shop.

I am not sure why but I think rack & pinion will be a rego requirement with a V8 swap. Kits are available again Dellow, V6Conversions.com and the Rod Shop.

I also wondered how lead wiping was done.
Until I saw an english program on Foxtel called "A car is reborn", a fantastic series following a funny guy rebuilding an E-Type Jag from conception and location to taking it to it's first show.
Anyways, they showed lead wiping, it's kinda like applying wax. You grab a bar of lead, heat it up so it is on the brink of melting and stick it on the car. Like bog, it's built up proud of the surface and filed back.

IMHO, stick to plastic filler, unless you know a pro.

Brad, what sort of electric motors are we talking about here. Are they a 2-speed and ready to fit? If so I'll put my hand up for one.

Hey Harko,
IMHO there is just a tad too much unbroken window (pun intended) in some of those "adjustments". Makes it look a little like a hearse, here's a concept from the owner of Carafano Motor Trimmers. I understand the project is well underway with his sights set on Summernats Grand Champ.

If you don't know Carmine Carafano, he has worked on many top show cars, Howard Astill's Race Rock, Fat57 etc and has a beautiful Statesman that has won trophies all over the country for years.

That headlight treatment is making it look like an early Mercedes ('60s I think).

The tail-lights might not be as hard as you think Harko, if the panel work can be done. I looked into getting some armrests reproduced in die-cast aluminium and the final product would only have been $40-50. Get a model made up in wood/bog/whatever and they can be cast. A good chrome plater should be able to fix up die-cast ally. But, then there's the lenses I suppose.

Sorry Brad, I meant no offence, I didn't say it wasn't restorable.
From memory it mainly needed paint, panel and a bit of rust fixing. It's got all the good running gear.

Cool, thanks for the feedback.

While we are on the subject,
I am going to fit LC/J discs to my FE, the advice I have been given is to reverse the Torana stubs (left on right, right on left) and to use the HR steering arms.
Is this the right way or does someone know something better?

There have been a few threads recently showing photos of old holdens in wrecking yards or paddocks. What gets me is the condition of the panels on most of them. You would expect them all to be smashed at least on one side from an accident, but most look as if they were still driveable when left there.

Can anyone shed any light?

Thanks Brad, that would be good.
I just need to get in the good books with the missus after the car/parts buying I have been doing lately.

If I am not mistaken I looked at this car a few years ago when it was advertised in the Trading Post. Not very nice, it really needs a stack of work.