36 replies to this topic

[GTR-1]

Welcome to the forum ,the NP was a Holden replacement block used when JP , XU1 engines blew up . They are probably worth more than a JP if sold .

Does anyone know how many NP blocks were made?

[S pack]

Welcome to the forum ,the NP was a Holden replacement block used when JP , XU1 engines blew up . They are probably worth more than a JP if sold .

Does anyone know how many NP blocks were made?

No eye deer, but I have seen one NP block.

[limo]

did the NP bock have a unique engine number or was the number of the bock that it replaced stamped on?

[Bazza]

Hi limo

NP then 4 digits. NLs were probably interspersed within the same sequence of numbers.

Cheers

Bazza

[TheKing]

Hi limo

NP then 4 digits. NLs were probably interspersed within the same sequence of numbers.

Cheers

Bazza

G'day, I have an NL block number NL5### cast date 5/74. I also know of an NP block number NP7### cast date 4/74. I think NL's & NP's each may have had there own sequence of numbers.
Regards Jeff

[GTR-1]

Hi limo

NP then 4 digits. NLs were probably interspersed within the same sequence of numbers.

Cheers

Bazza

G'day, I have an NL block number NL5### cast date 5/74. I also know of an NP block number NP7### cast date 4/74. I think NL's & NP's each may have had there own sequence of numbers.
Regards Jeff

I know of a NP block number NP5###, cast date 8/74 and a NL with number NL6### will get back later with cast date.
Finer70 had a block with NP4### cast date 8/73

[yel327]

Not quite. The Nasco sequence started at the start of HQ engine production, at 1001 (like all other sequences eg the HQ sequence started at QD1001 - note the HQ engine number sequence also included LC from HQ release, LJ etc). So any replacement ENGINE or SHORT (when available) sold by NASCO (later GMP&A) existed in this sequence. So along with NP you'll find NA, NB, NC, ND....right up to NZ, dependant upon what it was destined for. You also will find 186N, 161N, 253N etc for earlier cars plus 3100N (for LC XU-1 pre CK XU-1) amongst others, all inside the same sequence, but only for replacement ENGINES sold after HQ release.
The unclear bit is how Nasco distinguished between say a replacment red high comp 202 ENGINE (long motor) with NL prefix as there were differences between the cars it could be destined for. Example LJ 202 had a different sump to HQ-HZ and LH-LX, LX manual used a different cam etc. They used for example 308N for a replacement engine for HT/G to distinuish it from a HQ/LH engine. One day it'll be clear.

Note that replacement BLOCKS (ie block and piston kits) didn't have a Nasco number from what I have discovered so far, and from what I can tell normally when a SHORT was required a block and piston kit and a crank were ordered (for warranty purposes normally). So the Nx or xxxN or xxxxN blocks you find today were most likely replacement ENGINES not blocks.

Note that once blue motors were released the prefixed changed to for example N5L for a high comp 3.3 (as opposed to NL for the VB Commodore, UC and HZ).

If you read the parts catalogues closely, it also appears that you could order engine assemblies from current production, so I believe that means you could buy a complete say HX 3.3 high comp engine with a number like QL900000.

[Burrawout]

Have seen NL prefix blocks with 4 digits eg. NL2376 and five digit eg. NL12345. The five digit number did start with a 1 though.

[frash da bucket]

I have a NP in my car,73 block,72 crank and 73 rods,was replaced to rod failure on number 6,It was a recall they had rod problems on the 72 xu-1 JP blocks,it was replaced 36 years ago,my original told me, a letter from gmh was sent to him in 1973.

Cheers.

[yel327]

Have seen NL prefix blocks with 4 digits eg. NL2376 and five digit eg. NL12345. The five digit number did start with a 1 though.

Yes, the 5 digits is simply because Nx9999 was reached, before the end of supply of (probably) warranty engines for HZ and VB. I saw an NT1xxxx once as well.

I have a NP in my car,73 block,72 crank and 73 rods,was replaced to rod failure on number 6,It was a recall they had rod problems on the 72 xu-1 JP blocks,it was replaced 36 years ago,my original told me, a letter from gmh was sent to him in 1973.

Cheers.

Must have been fitted with a short motor. From what I understand, if it had simply been a block and piston kit fitted the original JP engine number would have been stamped into the replacement block.

[Burrawout]

The 5 digit NL block I saw was a 78 casting with 202 on the block not 3.3.

[yel327]

That's about right.

[Bazza]

Hi 2runa

Basically it gets down the fact that the NP/NL is the CORRECT replacement engine. In a concourse competition, an NP/NL would be awarded more points than a 'similar' but non-original engine (ie JP/JL)

In the overall scheme of things however the total package is was determines the price.

Cheers

Bazza

[S pack]

Hi, What sort of price do Np blocks sell for these days

Cheers Adam

I'd reckon between 2k - 5k depending on condition. At the end of the day it really comes down to what it is worth to the buyer.

[Pana]

Hi,

 

Just wondering if anyone knows of any late 71 LC XU-1s that had a 202 (3300) in them. I believe a NP replacement warranty motor could be used in late 71 XU-1s.

Is this 100% correct and was the prefix allowed NP or was it another prefix.

 

It would interesting to know if anyone has seen the NP or a 202 being used in the late 71 XU-1.

 

Thanks 

 

Pana