At a loss

[astroron (Ron)]

I have not long returned from an 8800kklm trip to the center of Australia and back with no hickups to me or my vehicle
only to go 50kms down the road yesterday and have a conrod go through the engine wall
The engine is a write off and as Holden don't make the particular engine anymore cannot get a new one
The garage I have the car at is looking around for a second hand one from the wreckers but is not optermistic
As I live iun the country and there is no form of public transport I am up the creek without a paddle
What does one do with a vehicle that is in perfectly good condition but cannot get an engine for
Answers of a positive nature would be appreciated
Cheers

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

What type of vehicle is it Ron? I presume a 4WD, so is it a Jackaroo.... or even a Landy with a red motor? I know a fair few people in the trade though my 4WD club connections. Maybe one of them can help.

[Ray?]

You should be able to get just about any Holden engine from within the era to fit, from any wreckers. Not being able to get a Holden engine or parts for same is just about unheard of.

Cheers

Ray

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

What type of vehicle is it Ron? I presume a 4WD, so is it a Jackaroo.... or even a Landy with a red motor? I know a fair few people in the trade though my 4WD club connections. Maybe one of them can help.

Chris, it is a 1999 Holden Frontera 4/4 V6 3.2 litre originaly made by Izuzu
Any help would be appreciated
I am still waiting for the garage to contact me for any information ,wait for another half an hour before ringing them for the latest info
cheers

[Ray?]

That's going to be more difficult, as the Frontera was around for such a short time. If you were in Melbourne or Sydney, you'd have a better chance.

Cheers

Ray

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by astroron

What does one do with a vehicle that is in perfectly good condition but cannot get an engine for
Answers of a possative nature would be appreciated
Cheers

Instal pedals?? Sorry, I've no positive suggestions.

I can say that that really sux. I can't think of the last time I've heard of that happening with any engine. They are generally just so reliable these days. I suppose with enough adaptors and modifications you could shoe-horn just about any V6 in but it will become expensive. One thought; I know people who've got 2nd hand engines imported from Japan and the cost was quite reasonable. If I can think of who did the importing I'll post the details. In the meanwhile, commisserations and good luck.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Ron - Call Steve at Brookvale Spares (02) 8999 7748.

He has two Frontera complete (long motor) V6's in stock - one with 150k on the clock and another with 180k on it. Both are $2,750.00 and they'll ship.

I know these guys and have bought from them before. At a pinch, a Rodeo motor of the same period can be used - with a few relatively minor tweaks required (such as exhaust manifold fit, etc.).

I'll keep looking. These aren't cheap because there aren't many around...

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Ron - Call Steve at Brookvale Spares (02) 8999 7748.

He has two Frontera complete (long motor) V6's in stock - one with 150k on the clock and another with 180k on it. Both are $2,750.00 and they'll ship.

I know these guys and have bought from them before. At a pinch, a Rodeo motor of the same period can be used - with a few relatively minor tweaks required (such as exhaust manifold fit, etc.).

I'll keep looking. These aren't cheap because there aren't many around...

Thanks Chris.
No results from the Wreckers up here at the moment,the garage has said they will contact me in the morning.
Thanks for your efforts
Cheers

[DavidU (Dave)]

Awesome help there Chris !

[astroron (Ron)]

Does anyone know if you can put a Diesel motor in instead of a petrol motor
What would be the negative aspects
I don't know if this model even came out with a diesel motor
Just a thought
Cheers

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Not advisable Ron - as there are many, many differences between the two vehicles. The engine bay to cabin wiring looms are completely different, the ECUs and their harnesses, the exhaust system (turbo on the diesel), the fuel delivery system and fuel tank. Cooling is next, along with gearbox ratios and.. and.. and..

Not easy

That's not to say that you can't install a diesel V8 Chevy - as there are almost no electronics. Might be a bit of overkill for a mid-size 4WD though...

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Not advisable Ron - as there are many, many differences between the two vehicles. The engine bay to cabin wiring looms are completely different, the ECUs and their harnesses, the exhaust system (turbo on the diesel), the fuel delivery system and fuel tank. Cooling is next, along with gearbox ratios and.. and.. and..

Not easy

That's not to say that you can't install a diesel V8 Chevy - as there are almost no electronics. Might be a bit of overkill for a mid-size 4WD though...

Thanks Chris,Yep it was just a thought,maybe a prayer
Cheers

[mozzie (Peter)]

Originally Posted by astroron

I have not long returned from an 8800kklm trip to the center of Australia and back with no hickups to me or my vehicle
only to go 50kms down the road yesterday and have a conrod go through the engine wall
The engine is a write off and as Holden don't make the particular engine anymore cannot get a new one
The garage I have the car at is looking around for a second hand one from the wreckers but is not optermistic
As I live iun the country and there is no form of public transport I am up the creek without a paddle
What does one do with a vehicle that is in perfectly good condition but cannot get an engine for
Answers of a positive nature would be appreciated
Cheers

jeeezzz ron that's what i call bad luck..
better then in the middle of australia!!!!!!
no don't know much about cars but sounds like chris has it under control for you... are you going to astofest ?????

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by mozzie

jeeezzz ron that's what i call bad luck..
better then in the middle of australia!!!!!!
no don't know much about cars but sounds like chris has it under control for you... are you going to astofest ?????

Thanks Pete,No as I now have no transport,but was only going for a couple of days anyway

[ngcles]

Hi Ron & All,

I'm pretty certain a 3.2l V6 Rodeo engine from the same era will fit with no more than the odd tweak. There should be heaps of those around 2nd hand at wreckers. I'm surprised that happened, they are very strong and reliable engines generally. I had a 5spd manual 1999 model V6 Rodeo dual cab 4x4 and it was the most reliable car I've ever owned. A bit thirsty true but I could squeeze 11.5 l/100km on trips with the back full of 18" 'scope and rarely got worse than 14l/100km.

I loved mine to death and wish I'd never been made (by my family ... grrr) to part with it for something less "truck-like". 200,000km 3 sets of tyres, 2 sets of brake pads still on the original clutch, never consumed any oil. Only thing to go wrong big-time was a petrol pump in the aftermarket long-range 130l tank (that cost a bomb to replace ~$1500- 7 years ago + a full tank of fuel down the drain).

Went to Qld twice, Victoria, S.A, towed a medium-sized van through most of that and (apart from that fuel pump) it never missed a beat. Not the best off-road by any stretch of the imagination but I've got photos of me snatching Hi-Luxes and Prado's out of sand bogs on Fraser that I cruised through (to be fair they were rental 4x4's with idiot drivers and no idea of how to drive offroad).

Hope it works out okay. Glad to see you had such a great trip.


Best,

Les D

[PeterM]

Hey Ron,
That's terrible news. I did a quick search and found this 2003 Frontera for $4500 in Fairfield. I guess then yours could be used for spares down the track.
Good luck mate

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...1%20900%201359

Peter

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Yep, I mentioned the '99 V6 3.2L Rodeo engine. They will fit no trouble, but there are a few tweaks to be made in the hot gas plumbing department. There are plenty around, but if a Frontera engine can be found it's an easier job, that's all. It's a tough call, $2.5k for a Frontera engine, a little less for a Rodeo, or ditch the vehicle for what you can get and go for a whole one. Hmm..

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

...That's not to say that you can't install a diesel V8...Might be a bit of overkill for a mid-size 4WD though...

Don't be ridiculous!!

I hope its not too big a search. You could try the weekly magazine, "Just Parts", it has ads from all over Oz.
Worth posting on-line as well tho' you triple your chances of a dodgy unit!
I'll keep an ear out and good luck.
Peter

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

Commodore 3.6 V6 isnt unheard of in similar vehicles. I have a Jackaroo with 3lt turbo diesel when the motor goes in it I promised myself I will put one in the vehicle.

Adrian

[Brian W (Brian)]

ok help out a dumb canuck ... just what is a 'jackaroo'?

Brian