OZ UTE Question

-

dart4forte

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
Joined
May 28, 2004
Messages
5,986
Reaction score
2,558
Location
Mesa, AZ
Just curious, what would it tak to put a small block into an Aussie UTE? Headers, electrical, front end K member, motor mounts etc.
 
They had 273s available from the factory, depending on year; so if you're converting from a slant it can be done with factory (Australian) parts.
Depending on the series, AP6 Wayfarer (equates to the US early A), the VE-VG (similar to US '67 and up As), ending with the CL (no relatives in the US).
If you're keeping it RHD, exhaust is Aus. only- manifolds or headers (extractors) like those made by Pacemaker are needed. Remember, the Aus. As still maintained the right side engine offset, so with the steering box and column on that side too, things get REALLY tight. And you thought US A bodies had tight engine compartments...
If you're converting to LHD, you should be able to use US/NA parts, along with a firewall/dashboard swap.
I'm sure when Cal or Bewy show up (it's the middle of the night there) they'll correct any misconceptions I may have stated. My knowledge is limited to what I picked up from people on a visit 40 some odd years ago...
 
Last edited:
I met a guy Peter (IIRC) at the car show this past weekend.

He has a 66 or 67 Valient Ute.

He has done a **** ton of research on them.


This is his.

PXL_20220806_155055520.jpg
PXL_20220806_155043566.jpg
PXL_20220806_155130891.jpg


And yes that is mark dusting off his trophy, errrr I mean barracuda.
 
I had a 70 VG ute with a 245 in it for 7 years, wouldn't have taken much to put a V8 in it, same basic A-Body configuration, just need the proper k-frame or make some mounts...

Ute.jpg
 
They had 273s available from the factory, depending on year; so if you're converting from a slant it can be done with factory (Australian) parts.
Depending on the series, AP6 Wayfarer (equates to the US early A), the VE-VG (similar to US '67 and up As), ending with the CL (no relatives in the US).
If you're keeping it RHD, exhaust is Aus. only- manifolds or headers (extractors) like those made by Pacemaker are needed. Remember, the Aus. As still maintained the right side engine offset, so with the steering box and column on that side too, things get REALLY tight. And you thought US A bodies had tight engine compartments...
If you're converting to LHD, you should be able to use US/NA parts, along with a firewall/dashboard swap.
I'm sure when Cal or Bewy show up (it's the middle of the night there) they'll correct any misconceptions I may have stated. My knowledge is limited to what I picked up from people on a visit 40 some odd years ago...
Also, IIRC, a remote oil filter was used because the RHD steering column and the oil filter want to occupy the same real estate.
 
Post #3 is mostly correct. The last Valiant model made here was the CM, it succeeded the CL. The first model to have a V8 [ 273 ] was the AP-6, intro in March 65. All models that followed were available with the V8 small block. So if you have one of these, it has the V8 K member. I am pretty certain the LHD K member was used, but not 100%.
 
Post #3 is mostly correct. The last Valiant model made here was the CM, it succeeded the CL. The first model to have a V8 [ 273 ] was the AP-6, intro in March 65. All models that followed were available with the V8 small block. So if you have one of these, it has the V8 K member. I am pretty certain the LHD K member was used, but not 100%.
VE-CM models actually have a different k frame for 6 & V8 models so either a V8 K frame or conversion mounts is required when converting from a 6 to V8
Picture below is of my old VF V8 k frame, note that engine mount pads are offset while 6 cyl models are in line with each other.

A223E86F-FF1F-4468-82AE-0D96D56EE510.jpeg
 
-
Back
Top