Banno

Any more work on the build. Interested on how the motor got on with the new dizzy?

As Jack says, replace sender they are cheap and that give you a clear idea whats is normal for your car. As all engines are different as my XG sits between N and O on the NORMAL on the gauge. The only time it ever got higher than that was carrying almost a three bedroom house worth of furniture in ute and car tandem trailer 350km and that was only to the R mark. I have known of some people barely hitting the N mark on Normal. Best of luck

As Slydog said 'how much to you want spend'. Probably the most important up graded decision you will make on a build. Money spent=power and the more money spent the more power gained.

I have the same unit in my Falcon ute and as Gav said,I haven't had a problem and been really good and reliable and holds speed well. I travel up to Nathalia area a fair bit from the Geelong area and it is a ankle saver. I am considering putting the same unit into the XE ghia cause of ease of installation for the trips up.

Where does a engine out of an AU for example fit into Vic roads rules for modication? Since its technically not the engine that came out orginally and there seems to be some structural changes to fit. Yet seems the most common mod done to x-series cars. My understanding that it would need a VASS certificate then. Then the cost using a 302w or 4.0L would be similar would it, when it came to Vic roads then?

Would it be a fair assumption to say that my thermostat in my XE is stuffed. Found that now when car warms up it goes 3/4 before thermostat opens, when before it used to only go to half way then drops. It also sits at 1/2 way at highway speed and a little over 1/4 around town, before it sat 1/4 at highway and just under 1/4 at town. Check timing and all good and everything else and not losing coolant though have put extractors on thats the only change. Car has done 3000 km in 8-9 months so also thinking radiator may need good flushing though feel no cold spots.

For peace of mind just buy new head bolts. Then you know they are right ones and in new tensile strength. As ZL says they are all the same except the No. 13 bolt at the front for earth strap is different

Thanks guys, I am just going to change the thermostat and coolant anyway. For what they cost its cheap insurance and i know its done plus i want to replace a couple of hoses as well.

Yep when its a spark plug. F@#king god dammit. Really its a spark plug repair kit i need. Anyway I will get on the phone tomorrow and ring around.

Can helicoil kits still be bought from Repco or Bursons still? If not where can you still get them? Cheers

Thanks mate, Went in today and they helped with what I wanted. Extractors are in and done now. Cheers Don't know if its a bad idea. But a heli-coil be only thing now to fix a stripped hole

Has anyone bought and used aftermarket 'Under bonnet sound proofing pad'. If so what brand and are they any good? I like to replace mine and have seen that you can buy particular size and trim and mould to your bonnet. Thanks

Thanks guys for the offer. I ended up getting one today and fitted this afternoon so all good now. But thanks again for the help.

Hi Guys, The exhaust flange between the manifold and exhaust pipe had a slight leak in my x-flow engine. I thought i would pull it apart to take out old flange gasket and take in to town to replace with a new one only to find it didn't have one. So i putted all back together for the time being and leak seems to be gone. Thought i would do some research to see if there is one and cannot seem to find anything and when i do its seems conflicting for other engines. So is there one and if so would anyone know the part number? Its just that i like taking the old part in so its easier to track down and replace with the correct one that matches. Any help would be great Thanks

I took a sample of what i was looking for at the time and he matched it up. The size is standard i think and he colour matched it. Had rolls in little boxes on shelves out back. No guarantees but worth a try as I said it was a couple years ago now and pin striping not really hot fashion on modern cars these days, but his still there in the same workshop. I am surprised you haven't found someone in Melbourne. If not what Crazy2287 would be the best bet and take a sample in.

Geelong auto image - lambert st newtown. Been a couple years since i was there last but should be able to help.

No worries mate i will. Went thru the same thing trying to find the same stripe.

Ask a paint shop, they should put you on the right track. I got mine in geelong for my fairmont ghia., the place had every make and era.It is also identical to the factory one that i replaced it with, which is the same stripe your trying to replace. I am working at the moment and can't remember the name of the place off the top of my head, but when i finish i will look it up for you. Just incase you can't find anywhere around your area.

XG/XH ute covers

^^^^^ Exactly. Worth the wait than keep saying to yourself "I should've"

THe camber or castor bolts or nuts loose maybe? I know when my camber etc was out when I put lowered springs in it would tyre screech at intersection or roundabout. Once front end alignment done never heard it again. Anyways something to help