Holden HK Monaro

1968-1969

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Billed as Australia's first fully home-grown sports coupe, the Monaro was a member of Holden's ambitious 'New Generation' HK range, launched in 1968. A clear and deliberate statement of national identity in its design, title and marketing concept, the Monaro was conceived and developed in an era of massive social and cultural change. It reflected a more exciting, youthful image and broke new ground by embracing the concept of personalised transport. Along with its HK counterparts, the Monaro delivered the biggest choice of options yet offered by Holden and, with a full-throated roar, ushered in the golden era of the lion-badged V8. The sleek, pillarless two-door was introduced six months after the rest of the range and soon took pride of place in Holden dealer showrooms across the country. Its 'boy racer' appeal was universal - a tribute to the foresight of the then Managing Director of GM-H, Max Wilson, who was instrumental in the development of the Monaro design and engineering concept and who recognised its long-term potential.

The Monaro was available in three variants: standard, GTS and GTS 327. It boasted potent performance and looked every inch the part with its long, wide body, flared wheel arches and sweeping roofline. In GTS guise, the Monaro sported black rally stripes, unique wheel trims, paint finishes and tail light treatment. The standard Monaro was powered by a 3.05 litre 186 six-cylinder engine teamed with a column shift three-speed manual. Other engine choices included a higher-spec

186S six and an imported 5.0 litre 307 V8, matched with four-speed console mounted manual or two-speed Powerglide auto transmission.

General Facts

Models

HK81837  Monaro GTS 327 coupe
HK80737  Monaro GTS coupe
HK80337  Monaro coupe


Number built

8,945

Specifications

Price at introduction:

Base Monaro $2,575
GTS $3,090
GTS 327 $3,790
186 engine over 161 - $53
V8 over 161 - $510
V8 over 186 - $462
All synchro transmission - $20
Automatic - $230
Four speed synchro - $90


Engines

161 LC
161 cid 6 cylinder inline, (2640cm3 low compression engine)
Bore and stroke:3.375 inches (85.7 mm) x 3.00 inches (76.2 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Single barrel downdraught Bendix Stromberg carburettor
Power output (DIN):108 bhp (80.6 kW) at 4400 rpm
Torque (DIN):146 lb/ft (197 Nm) at 2000 rpm
Compression ratio:8.2:1
161 HC
161 cid 6 cylinder inline, (2640 cm3 high compression engine)
Bore and stroke:3.375 inches (85.7 mm) x 3.00 inches (76.2 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Single barrel downdraught Bendix Stromberg carburettor
Power output (DIN):114 bhp (85 kW) at 4400 rpm
Torque (DIN):157 lb/ft (211.9 Nm) at 2000 rpm
Compression ratio:9.2:1
186
186 cid - 6 cylinder inline (3050 cc)
Bore and stroke:3.625 inches (92.1 mm) x 3.00 inches (76.2 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Single barrel downdraught Bendix Stromberg carburettor
Power output (DIN):126 bhp (94 kW) at 4200 rpm
Torque (DIN):181 lb/ft (244.3 Nm) at 1600 rpm
Compression ratio:9.2:1
186s
186 cid - 6 cylinder inline (3050 cc)
Bore and stroke:3.625 inches (92.1 mm) x 3.00 inches (76.2 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Two barrel downdraught Bendix Stromberg with automatic choke
Power output (DIN):145 bhp (108.2 kW) at 4600 rpm
Torque (DIN):184 lb/ft (248.4 Nm) at 2200 rpm
Compression ratio:9.2:1
307 V8 (5 litre Chevrolet)
307 cid V8 (5035 cc)
Bore and stroke:3.875 inches (98.4 mm) x 3.25 inches (82.5 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Two barrel Rochester downdraught carburettor with automatic choke
Power output (DIN):210 bhp (156.7 kW) at 4600 rpm
Torque (DIN):300 lb/ft (405 Nm) at 2400 rpm
Compression ratio:8.75:1
327 V8 (Chevrolet)
327 cid V8 (5363 cc)
Bore and stroke:4.0 inches (101.6 mm) x 3.25 inches (82.5 mm)
OHV with hydraulic lifters, single camshaft
Rochester four barrel downdraught carburettor with automatic choke
Power output (DIN):250 bhp (186.5 kW) at 4800 rpm
Torque (DIN):325 lb/ft (438.7 Nm) at 3200 rpm
Compression ratio:8.75:1


Transmissions and ratios

Three-speed manual
(Synchro in 2nd & 3rd)
1st:2.99:1
2nd:1.59:1
3rd:1.00:1
Reverse:2.99:1

Three-speed all synchro manual
1st:3.07:1
2nd:1.68:1
3rd:1.00:1
Reverse:3.59:1

Four-speed all synchro manual
1st:3.428:1
2nd:2.156:1
3rd:1.366:1
4th:1.00:1
Reverse:3.17:1

GTS 327 (Saginaw)
Four-speed all synchro manual
1st:2.54:1
2nd:1.80:1
3rd:1.44:1
4th:1.00:1
Reverse:2.54:1

Six cylinder Powerglide automatic Low:1.82:1
High:1.00:1
Reverse:1.82:1

V8 Powerglide automatic Low:1.76:1
High:1.00:1
Reverse:1.76:1

Differential ratios

2.78:1
3.36:1
3.55:1

Dimensions

Length - 4699mm, Width - 1816mm, Wheelbase - 2819mm

Weight

1,300kg, 1,333kg (GTS), 1,495kg (GTS 327)

Fuel Tank

75 litres, 114 litres (GTS 327)

ENGINE NUMBERS

Located on a pad near the front of the right hand cylinder bank. The prefixes for the HK GTS 327 Monaro is '327'. The engine serial number follows.


BODY/CHASSIS NUMBERS

Located on a plate attached to the right hand side of the firewall.

The first five numbers is the model number.
80337 - Monaro Coupe
80437 - Monaro Coupe
80737 - Monaro GTS Coupe
81837 - Monaro GTS 327 Coupe
HK did not distinguish between 186s and 307 for GTS

The next letter is the model code: K for HK Monaro

The next two digits are a letter/number combination indicating the plant at which the vehicle was built
H1-H4 - Brisbane
H5-H9 - Sydney
J1-J9 - Melbourne
L1-L5 - Adelaide
L6-L9 - Perth

The remaining five numbers is the vehicle serial number represent the sequence in which the vehicle was built at that particular plant.
Engine - 161 LC
Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio
Bore
Stroke
Taxable H.P RAC or SAE
Horse Power at RPM
Torque lbs.
6
8.2:1
3.375in
3.000in
27.34
108 @ 4,400
146 @ 2,000
Engine - 161 HC
Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio
Bore
Stroke
Taxable H.P RAC or SAE
Horse Power at RPM
Torque lbs.
6
8.2:1
3.375in
3.000in
27.34
114 @ 4,400
157 @ 2,000
Engine - 186 HC
Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio
Bore
Stroke
Taxable H.P RAC or SAE
Horse Power at RPM
Torque lbs.
6
9.2:1
3.625in
3.000in
31.54
126 @ 4,200
181 @ 1,600
Engine - 186 "S:
Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio
Bore
Stroke
Taxable H.P RAC or SAE
Horse Power at RPM
Torque lbs.
6
9.2:1
3.625in
3.000in
31.54
145 @ 4,200
184 @ 1,600
Engine - 307
Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio
Bore
Stroke
Taxable H.P RAC or SAE
Horse Power at RPM
Torque lbs.
8
8.75:1
3.875in
3.250in
48.05
200 @ 4,600
300 @ 2,400
Engine - 327
Number of cyclinders
Compression ratio
Bore
Stroke
Taxable H.P RAC or SAE
Horse Power at RPM
Torque lbs.
8
8.75:1
4.000in
3.250in
51.20
250 @ 4,800
325 @ 3,200
Engine and transmission combinations
161 standard on Monaro, not available on GTS and GTS 327. 
186 optional on Monaro, not available on GTS and GTS 327. 
186S optional on Monaro, standard on GTS and not available on GTS 327. 5.0 optional on both Monaro and GTS, not available on GTS 327. 327 not available on Monaro or GTS, standard on GTS 327. 
Three speed manual optional on Monaro, but not available on GTS 327. 
Four speed manual optional on Monaro, standard on GTS but not available on GTS 327. 
Four speed heavy duty manual optional on Monaro and GTS and standard on GTS 327. 
Powerglide automatic optional on Monaro and GTS but not available on GTS 327.
Rear Axle
3.55:1 Recommended on all Monaro engines with three speed manual or Monaro and GTS with 186S engine and four speed manual.
3.36:1 Recommended on Monaro with 161 and four speed manual, Monaro with 186 and four speed manual or Powerglide automatic, Monaro with 307 and four speed manual, GTS with 186S and four speed manual or Powerglide automatic, GTS with 307 and GTS 327.
2.78:1 Recommended on Monaro with 307 and Powerglide automatic. Limited slip diff optional on all six cylinder models and standard with all V8s.
Exterior Dimensions

 

Wheelbase Monaro - All 111in.
Overall Length Monaro - All 184.8in.
Overall Height (At Kerb Weight) Monaro - All 54.9in.
Overall Width (Maximum) Monaro - All 71.8in.
Front track Monaro - All 57.12in.
Rear track Monaro - All 57.12in.
Kerb weight  Monaro 2866 lbs
Monaro GTS 2940 lbs
Monaro GTS 327 3295 lbs
Turning circle  Monaro and GTS 36.5 ft
Monaro GTS 327 39.5 ft
Clearance, Exhaust System to Ground (at load design) Monaro 7.2 in.

 

Wheels & Tyres
5.00Jx14 Standard on Monaro and GTS. Heavy duty wheels optional on Monaro and GTS but not available on GTS 327.
6.00Jx14 With D70 tyres standard on GTS 327 and optional on Monaro and GTS.
Tubeless 6.95x14 low profile rayon blackwall crossplys standard on Monaro.
Tubeless 6.95x14 rayon white band crossplys, 7.35x14 tubeless rayon blackwall crossplys and Six ply blackwalls optional on Monaro. 
Tubeless 6.95x14 nylon crossply red band standard on GTS and optional on Monaro.
Tubeless 7.35x14 nylon premium 'S' red band crossplys optional on Monaro and GTS. 
Tubeless D70x14 nylon high performance red band crossplys standard on GTS 327 and optional on Monaro and GTS.
Tubeless D70x14 tubeless nylon high performance white band crossplys and 185x14
radial plys optional on all models. 
* D70x14 tyres only available with 6.00JJx14 wheels.
Brakes
Front: Drums standard on Monaro. Power assisted drums optional on Monaro, not available on GTS and GTS 327. Power assisted discs optional on Monaro, standard on GTS and GTS 327.
Rear: Drums
Exhaust System
Monaro and Monaro GTS have front and rear tail pipes, single combined muffler and resonator assembly.
Monaro GTS 327 has low restriction dual exhaust system using dual reverse flow resonators, single muffler assembly with dual inlets and outlets and twin tail pipes with dual branch chrome plated tail pipe outlets. Twin exhaust manifolds on 186S.
Capacities

 

 6 Cyclinder Engine 8 Cyclinder Engine
Fuel Tank 16.5 Gallons 16.5 Gallons 25 gallons GTS 327
Crankcase (Refill) 6 Pints 6.5 Pints
Oil Filter (Change Only) 1.5 Pints 1.5 Pints
Crankcase (Refill & Oil Filter) 7.5 Pints 7.5Pints
Cooling System:
     Synchromesh Trans. Models 8.0 Quarts No Heater  8.0 Quarts No Heater
     Powerglide Trans Models 7.8 Quarts No Heater, 11.8 With  7.8 Quarts No Heater, 11.8 With
Transmission:
     3 Speed (Standard) 1.75 Pints 1.75 Pints
     3 Speed (all Synchro) 4.25 Pints 4.25 Pints
    4 Speed (Synchromesh) 2 Pints 2 Pints
     Powerglide 10.25 Pints (Dry) 10.5 Pints (Dry)
Rear Axle 2.5 Pints 2.5 Pints
Torque Specifications - 6 Cyclinder Engines
Alternator bracket to cyclinder head
Alternator to bracket bolt
Alternator brace bolt
Alternator to bracket attaching  nut and bolt
Alternator to brace attaching bolt
Bell housing to engine bolts (MC6)
Bell housing to engine bolts (M20 &21)
Rear crossmember to side frame bolt
Support to rear mounting nut
Convertot housing bolt to engine
Camshaft retaining screws
Timing chain retaining bolts
Cyclinder head bolts
Distributor hold down bolt
Connecting rod nut
Main bearing cap - bolt
Oil filter to oil pump
Oil pan drain plug
Oil pan to cyclinder block - bolt
Rocker arm nut
Rocker cover bolt
Starter motor to bell housing
Fan to water pump hub
PCV valve cap torque
Belt tension - Air
Belt tension - Power steering
Belt tension - Water/alternator
Power steering pump attaching bolt and nut
Engine mount to bracket nuts
Mounting bracket to cyclinder block bolt
Insulator bracket to rail bolt 
Rear engine mount bolt
Cross member support bolts (end support)
Cross member support bolts (centre support)
Exhaust pipe to manifold
Inlet manifold (front and rear bolts)
Inlet manifold (other bolts)
Intake manifold bolts
Sump to timing gear cover
Locator plate screws
Water pump retaining bolts
Water pump pulley attaching bolts
Flywheel/flexplate bolts
Oil pump cover bolts
Oil pump attaching bolts
Spark plugs
34-44Nm
20-25Nm
12-16Nm
34-40Nm
20-28Nm
61-71Nm
41-47Nm
40-50Nm
20-25Nm
45-50ft.lb
6 - 7lb. ft
6 - 8lb. ft
1st: 30lb. ft  2nd: 65lb. ft  3rd: 75lb. ft
8 - 12lb. ft
20 - 26lb. ft
20 - 26lb. ft
2/3 turn after seal contacts surface
15 - 20lb. ft
8 - 11lb. ft
30 - 39Nm
8Nm
19 - 24lb. ft
23 - 27Nm
10-16Nm
46kg New   43kg Used
57kg New   34kg Used
45kg New   27kg Used
40-51Nm
(3/8in)  20-25lb. ft   (7/16) 30-35lb. ft
34-46Nm
34-46Nm
34-46Nm
40-50Nm
34-46Nm
20-25lb. ft
15-20lb. ft
25-30lb. ft
41-47Nm
6-8lb. ft
4.5-5.5Nm
12-17lb. ft
28-38Nm
45lb. ft
20-27Nm
17-22lb. ft
22-28lb. ft New 15-18lb. ft Used

Brouchures & Literature








1968 Holden Monaro - TV commercial

1969 Holden Monaro - TV commercial

 

 

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