Dealer optioned HQ 308 Van

**Alien DNA** · 16-01-2014, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by HK1837

It is also surprising to see the evidence of dealers sitting a new LS350 or GTS350 side by side with a ute or van and doing a driveline swap. Very cool stuff.

How did this pass the legalities at the time? It bothers me that to do a SBC conversion requires an eng cert ...... in vic anyways, not sure of other states.

**Absinth** · 16-01-2014, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Alien DNA

How did this pass the legalities at the time? It bothers me that to do a SBC conversion requires an eng cert ...... in vic anyways, not sure of other states.

350 was an engine option in HQ model..... Rego doesn't discriminate between passenger and commercial, only that the vehicle is a HQ. As long as the other components are the same as came with a 350 ie brakes, springs, diff etc. You can drop a 350 into a HT/HG ute or van, a 327 into a HK ute or van without engineering it.

Had a mate in Gympie bought a HQ tonner specifically so he could drop a 350 into it without having to engineer it.

**Absinth** · 16-01-2014, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Innuendo

Seeing as nobody else has made mention for forum searches. This is the same Ern Jones Van that has been mentioned in other threads.
"Keeping up with the (Ern) Jones'"

I don't think it is the same car..... Same rego but accessories and colours are different. Ern Jones specialised in supplying these hotted up vans and utes.

**HK1837** · 16-01-2014, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Alien DNA

How did this pass the legalities at the time? It bothers me that to do a SBC conversion requires an eng cert ...... in vic anyways, not sure of other states.

Both cars appear in the Service/Warranty records with the engines as swapped by the dealer(s). Ute or van appears with a QU number, LS with a QR. Due to the plant numbering for 350 engines at Dandenong and Pagewood it is known what 350 engine was in each 350 powered car when it left the assembly plant even if numbers aren't in the Service/Warranty records. When the QU number turns up in another car it is easy to see what happened. GMH would have even warranted the driveline in both cars.

**Alien DNA** · 16-01-2014, 08:38 PM

I'm probably flogging a dead horse here, but technically speaking, commercials did and were released with a small block. Guess it goes to show how the rules for engine swaps has become rather tight :(

**HK1837** · 16-01-2014, 09:50 PM

Agree, 307 was standard V8 in HK, and standard in 1969 HT if you wanted a V8 auto. GMH built a few 350 powered HQ utes, but I don't think there were any vans or cab-chassis.