Holden Commodore 1980 Problems

The best source of that sort of information is the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). You could also ask Ford and Holden.

What you bought is an old car, and old cars are often worn out, so what you’ve replaced is not to be unexpected. You’re so far into it that it’s best to keep going rather than pull out and lose what you’ve put into it, particularly because it’s an SL/E, which will be worth more than a regular old Commodore when you’ve finished it. The ultimate decision on how much to invest in the car should be based on the condition of the body and interior. If all of that’s in good condition it would be worth spending the money you’re spending, but if it’s rusty or needs repairs to the panel work I would suggest you think about getting out of it.

IT'S hard to say how many are left, but one thing is certain, many have gone to that automotive graveyard in the sky. Given their numbers are thinning it's fair to say they will become collectable, and their value should go up. If you're thinking of buying one as a classic with the potential to increase in value, buy an SL/E.

THE 253 was released in 1968 at the same time as the larger 308-cubic-inch Holden V8. Both were designed by engineers at Holden's Fishermans Bend plant. They had several innovations, including advanced use of thin-wall casting for cast-iron components; and extensive use of aluminium castings for components such as the water pump and inlet manifold. This saved weight and helped make it the lightest V8 in production at the time. The 253 was the economy V8 and was intended to compete with the 250-cubic-inch six-cylinder engine in the Falcon. Apart from its smaller capacity, achieved by a smaller bore, it had a two-barrel carburettor instead of the four-barrel carburettor that was fitted to the 308, the performance version of the V8. When the V8 was updated in the 1980 VC Commodore, the 253, then known as the 4.2, was fitted with a four-barrel carburettor among a raft of other changes. It was a sweet-running engine. I have no experience of the Fuelstar inline additive, so I can't offer any advice.