HQ LS Monaro restoration.

HQ LS Monaro restoration. The restoration of a 1971 HQ LS Monaro.

Last panel. The original bonnet. How I've dreaded this panel. For some reason it weathered the worst. She has a lot of i...
10/08/2026

Last panel. The original bonnet. How I've dreaded this panel. For some reason it weathered the worst. She has a lot of imperfections but I've already learned so much on this build so I alreadyknow what to do. Dent pulled from middle of bonnet already. Small rust spots I,ll weld up and then strip it all back. Was going to get it sandblasted but hey, I've already hand sanded the whole car with a wire wheel, sand disks and files. What's another panel. I'll do topside first. Get it done and in epoxy than flip it over and do the same on the underside. Then bodywork and paint. Currently trying to get the Monaro booked in for an Exhaust. Oh, brake booster is also installed now and yes the brakes all work, no more hard pedal.

Huge shout out to https://mastersmechanicalbrendale.com here in North Brisbane (QLD) for a full HQ Brake Booster recondi...
04/08/2026

Huge shout out to https://mastersmechanicalbrendale.com here in North Brisbane (QLD) for a full HQ Brake Booster recondition. Bead blasted, painted inside and out and fitted with all new seals and check valve. No swaps, just take you booster in and they will help you out. Dropped off Friday and picked up on Tuesday. All seal tested and ready to install. Super happy!

Brake booster is not working as it is not holding suction. Blader/diaphragm must have a split. But hey it's been over 50...
29/07/2026

Brake booster is not working as it is not holding suction. Blader/diaphragm must have a split. But hey it's been over 50 years of service and sitting. I should have reconditioned it when I had it off for the firewall repaint. 10 minutes of mucking around but not complaining since most of the dash is out. Off to Masters Mechanical Brendale for reconditioning (they have reconditioned 2 HQ boosters recently so seems a comon item). Once I have boost it will be exhaust time. Been saying that for a few years but it's happening soon as this is sorted.

Put the guards and nose cone on so I can get new pipes. I decided ill 2k clear the whole car, the shell has been wet san...
19/07/2026

Put the guards and nose cone on so I can get new pipes. I decided ill 2k clear the whole car, the shell has been wet sanded but the doors and guards will be done next thus why you see a colour difference. The shine stands out.

Oil pressure issues sorted. Petroleum jelly, new gaskets, inspection camera and a 500ml brake fluid syringe for the win....
16/07/2026

Oil pressure issues sorted. Petroleum jelly, new gaskets, inspection camera and a 500ml brake fluid syringe for the win... 40psi after 1 minute of turn over and holds it now. Time for an exhaust. Shout out to my Dad for all his engine knowledge and calling me out when he heard a ratty engine sound in my video, Matt for his car electrical assistance and Rob for his Gulf Western products. Every little bit helped

16/07/2026

Had oil pressure issues. Took pump off and added petroleum jelly. Filled the oil channels and sucked oil up from the pick up. Also sent my inspection camera into sump to check pick up gasket was installed (it was) and listened to make sure oil channels welsh plug was installed (it was). 40 psi within 1 minute of cranking. 40psi every time after. 308 has oil pressure. I will back the monaro out now under its own power for the first time in 3 years. Clean her up. Get the guards on and get the new exhaust system booked in.

04/07/2026

Oil pressure on, new hi torque starter working. Fuel pump moving the fuel and ignition... next steps are putting guards back on and organising a new 2 and a half inch exhaust system. Timing and then get that bonnet sorted. Aiming to get her roadworthy for my 50th birthday. Next year November.

Rewiring the engine bay so the engine will start. She's dusty and dirty. I need to get her running again so I can revers...
04/07/2026

Rewiring the engine bay so the engine will start. She's dusty and dirty. I need to get her running again so I can reverse out and clean her then get the guards and nose cone on before her new exhaust system. New battery, new leads and new wiring connectors. New electric distributor and coil. New hi torque starter motor and sealed fuel pump. New fuel filter before the pump. Busy busy

12Volt conversion complete for the EFI. Lights on dash work (even with a lot taken apart). No power to starter motor and...
23/06/2026

12Volt conversion complete for the EFI. Lights on dash work (even with a lot taken apart). No power to starter motor and coil has zero power.... F**k. This happened some time ago when my father and I tried to turn the new engine over. It ended up working by itself for some reason. So I check the wiring I just installed, starter and battery (bridged that starter and it sparked). All seem OK. So I thought we have AI now ill ask it.... It told me the common issue with a 50 year old HQ Holden is the ignition switch... Hmmmm that does actually makes sense since no power from the yellow wire and the new pink wire update... So I bought a new ignition switch from rare spares. When that arrives ill install it and let you all know if it's right or not. Anyways ill have a Scotch on the rocks and contemple this ongoing build.

I've been quiet lately but for good reason. Doing all those little jobs that never seem to end. I've added new bolts an...
22/06/2026

I've been quiet lately but for good reason. Doing all those little jobs that never seem to end. I've added new bolts and clips to mate the inner tubs and guards together. Added a new EFI dizzy, resized the spark plugs and added a full tank of fuel for start up. Waiting on new wiring to convert the distributor to 12volt constant (should arrive this week). Yes you can bridge the pink wires but ill be upgrading the electric system for full 12v to the coil got the efi. I've also been rust proofing behind the nose cone. Satin black. Will give the cone a nice depth and stop future surface rust from appearing. I've turned the engine over by hand with no plugs. Found no1 cylinder on the compression stroke and installed the efi dizzy. Packed oil in the filter and filled the oil pump ready for first start. Just need that wire set to arrive via post so I can get it going. More updates to follow.

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