HQ chassis number meaning

[Alien DNA]

Yep, that's a Q.

Which means you have a HQ van as far as the authorities are concerned. Which also means you can stick a non ADR motor in it and legally register it. I also think you can stick a 350 Chev in as it was a HQ option.
Let me know if you want to sell it!!!!

Sadly, in Vic anyways, you couldnt put a small block chev without engineers cert. The commercial line was never optioned with 350s, only sedans, wagons & coupes. I have already gone through all the channels to find that out, so after frustration, i decided on big block.....and even then, laws have changed where 400ci is the max theyll allow, unless youre prepared for some chassis bracing mods ie...braces, lower wishbone plates, tailshaft loops, trans cross member strengtheneing, then you could get lucky and pass 454ci. A 502 or 572 BBC wont even get a look in.......the laws have changed, but only because of cowboys doing dodgies over the years.
Im not sure what its like in NSW, but from what i understand, Vic is more relaxed when doing engineers cert.

[Dick61]

Sadly, in Vic anyways, you couldnt put a small block chev without engineers cert. The commercial line was never optioned with 350s, only sedans, wagons & coupes. I have already gone through all the channels to find that out, so after frustration, i decided on big block.....and even then, laws have changed where 400ci is the max theyll allow, unless youre prepared for some chassis bracing mods ie...braces, lower wishbone plates, tailshaft loops, trans cross member strengtheneing, then you could get lucky and pass 454ci. A 502 or 572 BBC wont even get a look in.......the laws have changed, but only because of cowboys doing dodgies over the years.
Im not sure what its like in NSW, but from what i understand, Vic is more relaxed when doing engineers cert.

I don't know who you have been talking to Ivan, but the NCOPs don't stipulate body style but model. I have been through the same information gathering as I want to put a 350 in my HQ ute and have been told that it is totally legal. If the engine was an option on that model then it is legal, whoever has told you that it isn't doesn't understand the regs or the NCOPs which Vicroads have signed off on.