128 replies to this topic

[Collo]

So, after little interest in the VS Acclaim I was trying to sell, I ended up doing a straight swap for this.

84 WB Panel Van with VP Commodore V6 and T700. Has duel fuel, working aircon and power steering.
Drives good, just needs a bit of work to look good. Will have 12 months rego on it tomorrow




Plans are (as cash allows, so slowly) piss the WB lights and front off for HQ items, tidy the body up and a coat of paint.

[Collo]

Cheers mate, H-anything is better than WB. Good to know I can get something back on the wb front though. Will be a while yet anyway. It'll be my daily once registered tomorrow.

[Statler]

Great score!

[Mort]

WB Statesman Caprice front clip, that or the HJ/X/Z twin lights are the ones I would choose if I ever get to own a pano.

+2 on the good score

[mitchg]

I would love something like this as a project! Great pick up! Will be awesome with the new look!

[Collo]

Thanks fellas, it just sort of fell into my lap. Right place at the right time

[Mort]

Wish I could be that lucky, s'pose I was with Tracie's Torana but that's not my Sandman van

[Collo]

Yeah well I know if it was the other way around, there's no way I'd swap a panel van for a VS commodore.

Though my LH may have to go now. I guess I can survive with the panno and only two Toranas...

Edited by slr_v8, 26 September 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[Collo]

Following on from Quagmire's post, do any of the HJ/X/Z fronts bolt on without changing the bonnet and/or guards? This is my first "big" Holden. I've only owned Toranas and a HR.

[yel327]

Most HJ-HZ will almost fit straight on. The only ones that won't are normal HJ-HZ 1-tonner fronts which use HQ style fronts. The problem areas you will have are:

Bolt threads: Some WB are metric.
Harness: Will need mods to run the HJ-HZ lights.
WB inner guards fit a bit different to HJ-HZ, you'll want to keep your WB ones as they have all the crap mounted on them already.
Front bar: HJ-HZ front bar doesn't mount properly to WB rails. Only 2 bolts align (of the 3).
Radiator: WB radiator won't fit the HJ-HZ support. Spend a day on it unpicking spotwelds and modifying the HJ-HZ one and it will (recommended).

I would recommend you keep the WB guards, inner guards, bonnet, stone trays, front bar and radiator support. Modify the radiator support to allow Statesman lights to fit. And get a Statesman top panel, grille, lights and bumperettes.

What you have is easily converted to a V8 EFI later. It'll all bolt in unless they've stuffed the chassis fitting the V6. Will need EFI 304 with engine harness and barttery harness, HQ-WB V8 sump and mounts, WB V8 radiator and V8 memcal. If the conversion is done right it should just about plug in and work.

[Collo]

Sounds like it'll be easier to leave the WB front on it. Or to go the WB statesman front for the easiest swap.

And I've already thought about the EFI 5L. I have a 5L VN sitting here...


On the plus side, it's regoed now, so I can drive it

Edited by slr_v8, 27 September 2011 - 01:12 PM.

[Neils LX]

If you dont like the WB front you could fit a HJ-HZ prem front, HJ-HZ GTS gaurds and do it up like a Sandman.

[Collo]

Yeah I'll see what happens as I go.

Meanwhile, I can generally read Torana tags, but dunno these. Can someone help?

Chassis-EWB 52047A

VIN-8M70LD L122418B

Model-WB8WM70
Body-122418-A
Trim-3038-66V
Paint-1J 052-D
Built April 84

Eng. L14
Trans. M40
Axle. GV4


Also has BH93 stamped above the drivers side headlight? No idea what that's for...




Any help much appreciated.

Edited by slr_v8, 27 September 2011 - 02:58 PM.

[Collo]

Thanks mate.

[yel327]

Bolt threads: Some WB are metric.

Can you recall which ones? I don't remember finding any on my 1982 WB van. Just curious.

Varies. Some of the normal body bolts and captive nuts plus the screws that hold the inner guard to thee guard are often metric. Sh!ts you when they are different threads across the same car.

[Collo]

Bolt threads: Some WB are metric.

Can you recall which ones? I don't remember finding any on my 1982 WB van. Just curious.

Varies. Some of the normal body bolts and captive nuts plus the screws that hold the inner guard to thee guard are often metric. Sh!ts you when they are different threads across the same car.

Speaking of that, I found the same on a 78 UC I wrecked. Can't remember exactly which bolts, but while the majority was imperial, there were a few metric ones in there.

[rodomo]

Though my LH may have to go now.

LH v WB Panno? .................... No contest!

[Collo]

My LH is a shell. Has been for bout 4 years or so now. This is regoed and running, plus I got the HB and LC.

I may keep it yet, just means it will stay sitting in the shed.

[Statler]

REGO!!!!!!!!

Now!, go forth & copulate..... or is that populate?

[Collo]

Yep, already been out in it mate