WB panelvan V8 conversion Donor option- on the right track?

**matt159** · 12-03-2013, 09:37 PM

So my ute has sold so I'm finally in the market for a donor! I think I've decided a WB statesman might be the go- I could take motor- power steering- steering column- air con- power windows- rear disk differential- suspension- seats (though would prefer a bench) and front grill (though I prefer a HQ). If they're the parts I'm after does a WB statesman sound like the right donor or is there something wrong with WB statesmans that I should know about? Will all parts swap straight onto my WB panelvan? Were the V8's in WB's good motors or overdone with pollution gear? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

**HK1837** · 13-03-2013, 08:57 AM

Diff won't fit into a van. Nor will all the underdash stuff for the aircon, unless you use the whole WB dash. The underbonnet bit and the housing inside the cab will work, but you'll need all the ducting and controls off a HJ-HZ. Rest will though, although the grille won't on its own, you need the radiator support, upper apron, lights and bumperettes. Lights and bumperettes cost a mint if you smash one.

**george** · 13-03-2013, 12:34 PM

the engine and gearbox will fit , steering column will fit but you may need a new bottom plastic (different), air cond inside is different but outside compressor the same ,seats will fit in same holes , diff axles and brakes will fit in your sailsbury diff but may need longer cables for hand brake , booster and master cylinder will fit and have to be changed to suit rear discs , tailshaft should fit , the whole front will have to be changed if you want statesman. yes it has a lot of pollution gear on the wb and hz engine but if you run straight gas you don't need to worry about it .

thanks
george

**HK1837** · 13-03-2013, 12:50 PM

Disc brake setup won't work on a commercial, handbrake mech fouls on the leafs. Drums are superior anyway on a ute/van application. Not much difference between pollution gear on HZ and WB.
You don't need the whole front, you can use the van's guards, bonnet, inner guards and lower nose pieces. You can use the van's bar too if you like. WB Statesman guards do have a captive nut for the bumperette but if the van has really good guards you can gat a nutsert fitted. You can also use ute/van headlight reflectors in WB Statesman headlights.

**george** · 13-03-2013, 02:14 PM

actually the disc brake setup does work , you put the right backing plate on the the left and the brakes also and vice a versa and it clears the leaf springs easily and the difference is the length of the handbrake cables , and theres a bloke on ebay who can make them to size.

**HK1837** · 13-03-2013, 02:32 PM

I still wouldn't bother, HZ-WB calipers are a pain in the proverbial, you can't buy many bits for them and the handbrake is not as good as the drum setup. I'd still keep the drums. Not sure how neat it'd look either swapped around as the handbrake cable bracket would be pointed towards the rear of the car?

**matt159** · 13-03-2013, 05:06 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies- hk1837 why are disks a waste of time on a commercial? I was going off what I had read in the forum and understood it to be a worthwhile improvement along with using a vt brake booster?
For my donor I won't be using the gearbox as my panelvan already has a celica 5 speed- I've just got to work out if my 202 has a trimatic pattern and therefore my gearbox is ready to go or if I need to change the bell housing.
My car is currently gas only and I think I'll rebuild my v8 to make it gas only too, I've read a fair bit on the ozrodders forum. I'm not after a powerhouse but a solid cruiser with a respectable amount of power and a noisy rumble

**HK1837** · 13-03-2013, 05:36 PM

Rear discs are really only for high performace, high speed work. Will never happen with a WB van, so a waste of time and effort. Standard drums are perfectly suited to the task, would be a waste of time, money and effort to fit HZ/WB discs. Not sure why you'd want a VT booster either, standard WB is more than up to the task.

All Holden 6cyl are the same bellhousing pattern. It is VERY different to a V8 manual or auto (TH) engine. To convert a WB 202 with Celica 5spd to a Holden V8 engine will require:

CRS or Dellow bellhousing, pull clutch style (full cable) for Holden V8 to Celica.
V8 pull clutch fork (late HZ, WB or VB-VK).
WB V8 clutch pedal (different to 6cyl).
Modified tailshaft as the Celica box has to move forwards about 30mm or so (by the difference in length of input shaft between 6cyl aussie 4spd and V8 4spd).
Modified crossmember.

The stick may no longer come up in the right place so may have to be modified. Tailshaft won't be an issue as you'll probably upgrade to a V8 diff anywayas WB 6cyl Salisbury is just a banjo in disguise. From memory with a Celica box behind a Holden V8 you can use the standard V8 tailshaft with special gearbox yoke.

Then the first time you give it a bootful the 308 will chew the guts out of the Celica box and you'll have trouble finding another one! Much better idea to use the trimatic out of the WB Statesman, heaps better box, easier and cheaper to fit and if looked after will last forever.

**matt159** · 13-03-2013, 06:41 PM

Sorry- double checked my receipts it's a supra gearbox not a celica. I've read elsewhere there's are ok behind a 308- does anyone have one and can confirm this?