1976 Holden Torana LX from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Clutch rod has broken three times, but I have replaced it with a length of 3/16 inch threaded rod from local hardware store. Should last 'forever' now!

Lower ball joints needed replacing at about 300,000 km.

Door locks and linkages needed cleaning out after 400,000 km - full of dust and getting a bit hard to operate. A days easy work needed here.

High beam switch failed early on, but I fitted spot lights and set up an off/on switch on the arm rest in the middle of the car.

Starter motor switch failed last week. A simple press button installed until I get round to replacing the ignition switch - if at all.

Normal replacement of brake pads, radiator, water pump as needed over the years.

I also re-bored the motor and have had the head reconditioned on two occasions. The rings broke at 407,000km which I thought was quite good, but I was using Nulon (teflon) oil treatment for most of its life.

A simple, easy to maintain car for the backyard mechanic. This is the base model, so it is easy to take off the cylinder head for reconditioning, with no air-conditioning or power steering to remove first.

The paint work has held up well, still with a good gloss (Persian Sands colour) despite not being garaged for 25 years. I polish it about once a year.

A solid, long lasting vehicle.

Help Please?

My 1977 LX Torana has a 2850cc motor.

It absolutely munches through fuel.

There don't seem to any major problems with it though.

Any suggestions on why this may be?

Cheers.

Have you tried fitting an electronic distributor from a later model Holden.

This may improve your fuel economy.

I have done this to my UC 2850cc 1978 model Torana.

Performance was noticeably improved on standard engine.

These distributors do fit earlier model engines.

PLEASE HELP!!!

I am about to purchase a 1976 lx torana (sl) 173ci and I'm wondering about fuel? According to the last comment - these sorts of vehicles munch through it. Is this referring to a v8 or is there no difference when compared to a stock standard.

Concerned immenent torana buyer.

I drive an old LX 173 Torana 3 speed. With no modifications, but well tuned, it gets around 11 litres/100km around town and 10 litres/100km on the highway at 100/110 k/h. If you are getting really bad fuel economy then look at the valves in the head (they don't like unleaded fuel), the distributor as it can seize inside giving you no advance and the carburettor, right fuel level/air-cleaner, is it clean.