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    Holden Holden Advice Holden Commodore Holden Commodore Advice Holden Commodore 1983
    I HAVE a 1983 V8 4.2L VH Commodore Vacationer sedan. I bought it off the showroom floor and have had the car regularly serviced and the parts replaced with new ones. It has 405,000kms on the clock and the same automatic transmission as when I bought it, but it is currently running on a reconditioned motor. The motor has begun to smoke, and I wish to maintain the car because it has a good body. I was wondering what you would recommend. I am looking at either replacing the motor and transmission with that of a newer model, or modifying the engine for unleaded Optimax.
    Answered by CarsGuide
    7 October 2004
    Graham Smith

    I WAS the development engineer on the 4.2-litre V8 back then, so I have a soft spot for the engine and I'm happy you have had a good run out of it. The 4.2-litre engine was a sweet-running, smooth little V8 once the four-barrel carburettor was fitted. The easiest and least expensive course, and the one I would recommend, is to rebuild the motor and adapt it to run on unleaded.

    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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