Engine numbers

Hey there newby here , just bought myself some HZ rust .its a 78 tonner V8 4 speed i'm not sure if its a 308 or 253 bloke i bought it of has less knowledge than me. still learning this stuff how do i tell the difference in the two , also where do i find the engine number on the block ......thanks in advance for the info mick.

The engine number is on the block on passenger side front of the block on a ledge that protrudes out towards the guard where the cylinder head meets the block.
The engine number should give away what size the engine is. If the engine number starts with QR it's a 253 or QT if it's a 308. Now there could be other variations because the system changed in later HZ's.  Also again on the passenger side on the block above the starter motor you should see a protruding casting of a number 253 or 308 but again they stopped this in the later HZ's only to start it again. At one stage that did this on both sides of the block right into the Commodore 304 engine.

If the engine number starts with 11 then QT it will be a 308 out of a Statesman.
You may need to wipe and clean the ledge to be able to read the stamped in engine number. Also if it has factory air conditioning the compressor will likely hide the area you need to see.

Let us know how you go.

Regards, Smooth

Very informative. Thank You Smooth.

Yeah thanks for that info seems I have a 253 now I have to work out what all the Id plates mean .

Weren’t wrong about rust in the usual places

mick wrote:Yeah thanks for that info seems I have a 253 now I have to work out what all the Id plates mean .

So she read QR ?
I can decode the ID plates if you would like.

Regards, Smooth

Yeah that would be great but I’m having a hard time uploading pics atm

MODEL.......HZ8WM60  

TRIM.....1926-63V

PAINT.....568-30517

ENG------L32

TRANS-----M40

AXLE----GV7

And these numbers on design rule plate......BHZ 36519A  

And on the narrow tag-------8M60RJ   L430939

And thanks again.....mick

Here you go!

mick wrote:MODEL.......HZ8WM60 HZ= Model Series 8= Holden W= Full Size Model  M= Base Model Holden 60= 1 Tonner/Cab Chassis Body Style

TRIM.....1926-63V 1926= GMH Colour Code 63v= Buckskin

PAINT.....568-30517 568= Non Metallic 30517= Flamenco Red

ENG------L32 = 253 V8

TRANS-----M40 = Tri-Matic Transmission

AXLE----GV7 = Salisbury with 3.55:1 Diff Ratio

And these numbers on design rule plate......BHZ 36519A  = Build number (should match chassis number) B= second revision HZ HZ= Model 36519 = 36519th  Cab Chassis Build since introduction A= Adelaide

And on the narrow tag-------8M60RJ   L430939  8= Holden M= Base Model Holden 60= Cab/Chassis R= QR 253 Engine J= Model Year 1979 L4= Adelaide  30939= Serial Number

And thanks again.....mick

Regards, Smooth

Yeah thanks for that lots of helpful info....over the years someone put the 4 speed in it which is a bonus .... Mick