Identifying Holden V8 vs SBC

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IndianaJones
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Identifying Holden V8 vs SBC

Post by IndianaJones » Sat 11 Aug 2018, 20:11

How does one go about identifying an engine, as either a Holden 5.0 V8, or a Small Block Chev?

Are the following identifiers correct?

Holden V8
LH starter location
"Pointed" rocker covers with 6 bolts each
integral oil pump and oil filter housing, on the LH front of the cover, that also had an integral water pump

Small Block Chevy
RH starter location
Rectangular rocker cover with 4 bolts each

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jlebenon
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Re: Identifying Holden V8 vs SBC

Post by jlebenon » Sun 12 Aug 2018, 14:52

Oil filter on Holden faces front next to the crank pulley ... But you can spot a Holden a mile away ...
2006 lumina ute
1973 El camino 353ci

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jlebenon
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Re: Identifying Holden V8 vs SBC

Post by jlebenon » Sun 12 Aug 2018, 14:54

Oil filter on Holden faces front next to the crank pulley ... But you can spot a Holden a mile away ...
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2006 lumina ute
1973 El camino 353ci

Jason
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Joined: Sun 20 Apr 2008, 01:52
Location: Sin City, USA

Re: Identifying Holden V8 vs SBC

Post by Jason » Sun 12 Aug 2018, 18:33

Easiest ways I know is:

Holden has trapezoidal valve covers w/6 bolts, look like Ford 289/302W valve cover flipped bottom to top.
Chevy has rectangular valve covers w/4bolts, look for the tale-tale oil leaking all over the heads.

Holden has water pump that bolts to a front cover with several perimeter bolts like a Ford 289/302W.
Chevy has water pump that bolts on with only 4 bolts, 2 per side, look for water leaks down the front of the engine.

Holden uses an alloy front cover over the timing chain that works as part of the water pump, much like a Ford 289/302W, Rover/Buick alloy V8s, etc.,...
Chevy uses a thin tin timing chain cover that tends to get bent or warps easily from over tightening the bolts and then leaks.

Finally, wait for a few more posters as plenty should now refute my claims of leaky SBCs and will post lots of pix of both SBCs and Holden 253/308s for you to compare. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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