37 replies to this topic

[Dr Terry]

I'm not 100% sure but my list has "HP" as the code for series 2 pre-ADR27A 5.0L M40 and "KL" as series 3 post-ADR27A trans.

I re-read my list & the KL is a pre- ADR27A 5.0 LH/LX, but it is for LHD with the shifter on the LH side of the box.

 

You are correct with HP being HQ, LH & early LX & it has the normal RH shifter.

 

I don't have the code for the 5.0 LX ADR27A (series 3) transmission.

 

Dr Terry

[S pack]

I re-read my list & the KL is a pre- ADR27A 5.0 LH/LX, but it is for LHD with the shifter on the LH side of the box.

 

You are correct with HP being HQ, LH & early LX & it has the normal RH shifter.

 

I don't have the code for the 5.0 LX ADR27A (series 3) transmission.

 

Dr Terry

AFAIK GMH didn't option any LHD LH/LX with L31 & M40.

[Dr Terry]

AFAIK GMH didn't option any LHD LH/LX with L31 & M40.

Yes, you're probably correct there.

 

It's one of those anomalies. GM-H lists these boxes in various different publications. Parts catalogues, service bulletins, various supplements & service notes & often they don't always agree 100%.

 

This is a good example. Several Trimatic service bulletins list KL as being a series 2 LHD transmission to suit both 4.2 & 5.0 V8. There is a part supplement which also says the same thing. BTW the KL Trimatic has the part no. 9930272.

 

As far as I am aware it's not too often that the same box suits both a 4.2 & a 5.0.

 

However the LH parts catalogue lists this box as LHD V8, with no mention of engine size. This same catalogue in its intro page lists what you say, i.e. no LHD L31/M40.

 

Reading between the lines, it probably means that the KL is for LH 4.2 LHD only.

 

Dr Terry

[yel327]

The LX Features Manual and POA reflect this as well, lists LHD L31 M21 but no LHD L31 M40. This is the same for both early LX (pre ADR27A) and later LX. It seems to hint that this was also an Engineering only application too, not production but it isn't super clear. 

[Ando]

Interesting...

 

I can't 100% confirm if this KL Trimatic has ADR 27A compliant external switch port until I can get it up on the hoist in a few weeks.

The auto shift linkages are on the drivers side as expected. That's all I can say after crawling under the car. 

 

I had another look at the cars HHS report & it states the car was built for "internal company use".

(I just assumed it was an internal sale to an employee)

 

So is it plausible, that some of the assembled items eg. motor, Trimatic, radiator (motor & radiator dates around July-August 1976) were released from Engineering then re-purposed to the assembly line. Or possibly, they're repaired assembled items & then later installed into this car. (May 1977)

 

I'm certain GMH wouldn't have wasted anything if it could be put to use..

 

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[yel327]

That is exactly what happened, nothing got wasted. If mechanical components were re-used they normally went in internal cars to avoid warranty issues.
Internal use could be anything from personal cars to show cars. If you have the original block you may find evidence of a repair somewhere. This may be the case if a block had an oops during machining. Sometimes you see cars with engine numbers like a year or more too early, unless these have been swapped out by dealers prior to sending records back they are probably an engine that has gone bang on the end of assembly line rollers and been changed out, fixed and back into another car.

[Ando]

I have a better understanding now.. 

 

The 1st 5000 service & 2nd 10,000 klm was by GMH. The 20,000 klm service was by a motor dealer.

 

When I disassemble this car for restoration next year, it should reveal a few more things in regards to it's history.

 

The KL Trimatic is an interesting one. I'll do an update when I can get closer to it. The rest of the drive-line looks to be undisturbed. 

 

I'll certainly look for signs of defect repair to the motor. There's a good chance this HT motor hasn't been disassembled since leaving GMH factory.

 

Time will tell..

[yel327]

It may be a casting repair, broken tap etc. may just be a development block too used in Engineering that they’ve disposed of in an internal car. May be an XT5 (blue) block, these first started approx with VB engine probably in mid 1978.

[Bigfella237]

~ When I disassemble this car for restoration next year, it should reveal a few more things in regards to it's history. ~

Fingers crossed that you find the broadcast sheet tucked away in the trim somewhere, that will actually have the trans code ("HP" or "KL", etc.) that it left the production line with in box # 64 (4th row down, 4th column across).

[Ando]

I'll keep those suggestions in mind. Another bit of information..

 

The Pre-delivery page slip is in-tacked & was never filled out so it also confirms the car was intended for GMH use.

[Ando]

I eventually pulled the KL Trimatic out when stripping the car for restoration. 

 

It has the TCS - (transmission control switch).  I'm starting to think it is the original Series 3 - Trimatic for this car.. 

 

Other clues are; the green tail shaft is original & the diff looks pretty much undisturbed as with a lot of other parts that's never been disassembled. 

 

Thoughts..

 

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[Ando]

Finally!!   We have confirmation that the KL coded Trimatic is correct for an ADR 27A - LX L31 M40 Torana. 

 

Thanks to Mick McCardle's investigations, mystery solved.  Below, is the dated service letter with the relevant information.

 

Cheers..

 

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Edited by Ando, 18 July 2020 - 06:57 PM.

[yel327]

When you find these sort of answers the obvious one is normally the right one, you just have to find the proof! Well done. 5.0L LX would be such low volume they wouldn’t have wasted too much time and expense on it. Some of the calibration would have been due to the HX 5.0L losing 34hp and substantial torque compared to the HJ engine.