The Holden Red Motor is one of the most important engines in Australian motoring history. Introduced in the EH Holden in 1963, the Red Motor replaced the ageing Grey Motor and ushered in a new era of performance, reliability and tunability. Among the earliest versions were the 149 cubic inch and 179 cubic inch six-cylinder engines, which quickly developed a reputation for being tough, simple and easy to maintain.

More than sixty years later, thousands of these engines are still powering EH, HD, HR, HK, HT and HG Holdens around Australia. Many remain completely original, while others have been rebuilt several times during their lives. Despite their durability, the 149 and 179 are not immune to age-related problems, and understanding their common issues can help owners avoid expensive repairs and keep these classic Holdens on the road.

Why the 149 and 179 Became So Popular

The Red Motor represented a major leap forward from the Grey Motor.

Key improvements included:

• Seven main bearing crankshaft
• Improved oiling system
• Better cylinder head design
• Increased power output
• Greater reliability
• Stronger bottom end

The 149 produced approximately 100 horsepower, while the 179 delivered around 115 horsepower in factory form.

For their era, they were exceptionally robust engines.

Excessive Oil Consumption

One of the most common complaints among ageing Red Motors is increased oil consumption.

Symptoms

• Blue smoke from the exhaust
• Frequent oil top-ups
• Oil-fouled spark plugs
• Carbon deposits inside exhaust system

Common Causes

• Worn piston rings
• Cylinder bore wear
• Valve guide wear
• Hardened valve stem seals

Many engines have covered hundreds of thousands of kilometres, making internal wear inevitable.

Best Oil for High-Mileage Red Motors

Recommended Product: Penrite HPR 30 20W-60

Benefits

• High zinc formulation
• Excellent wear protection
• Suitable for older engines
• Helps reduce oil consumption

Best For

• Original engines
• High-mileage Red Motors
• Weekend cruisers

A quality oil can significantly improve engine longevity.

Oil Leaks

Few original Red Motors remain completely oil-tight.

Common Leak Locations

• Rocker cover gasket
• Side cover gaskets
• Timing cover seal
• Sump gasket
• Rear main seal

Symptoms

• Oil spots on garage floor
• Oil residue around engine
• Burning oil smell

Minor seepage is common, but significant leaks should be investigated.

Best Gasket Set

Recommended Product: Permaseal Full Engine Gasket Kit

Benefits

• Complete engine coverage
• Quality materials
• Correct fitment

Best For

• Oil leak repairs
• Engine rebuilds
• Preventative maintenance

Timing Gear Problems

Early Red Motors use fibre timing gears that become brittle with age.

Symptoms

• Rattling noises
• Poor ignition timing stability
• Engine won’t start
• Sudden engine shutdown

Why It Happens

The factory fibre gear eventually deteriorates and can lose teeth.

This is one of the most common major failures in older Red Motors.

Best Timing Gear Upgrade

Recommended Product: Steel Timing Gear Set

Benefits

• Greater durability
• Long service life
• Eliminates fibre gear failure

Best For

• Engine rebuilds
• Preventative upgrades
• High-mileage engines

Many enthusiasts replace fibre gears before failure occurs.

Overheating Issues

Cooling system problems are common in vehicles that have spent decades in storage.

Symptoms

• Rising temperature gauge
• Coolant loss
• Boiling after shutdown
• Poor heater performance

Causes

• Blocked radiator
• Worn water pump
• Corroded cooling passages
• Stuck thermostat

Fortunately, most cooling problems are relatively easy to diagnose.

Best Cooling System Upgrade

Recommended Product: Aluminium Replacement Radiator

Benefits

• Improved cooling efficiency
• Corrosion resistance
• Better heat dissipation

Best For

• Warm climates
• Modified engines
• Touring vehicles

Carburettor Problems

Most 149 and 179 engines originally used a Stromberg carburettor.

Common Issues

• Rough idle
• Fuel leaks
• Poor economy
• Flat spots during acceleration

Causes

• Worn throttle shafts
• Blocked jets
• Perished seals
• Incorrect tuning

Carburettor wear becomes increasingly common as engines age.

Best Carburettor Rebuild Kit

Recommended Product: Stromberg Carburettor Rebuild Kit

Benefits

• Restores performance
• Improves fuel economy
• Eliminates leaks

Best For

• Original carburettors
• Restoration projects
• Preventative maintenance

Ignition System Issues

The original points ignition system works well when maintained but requires periodic adjustment.

Symptoms

• Hard starting
• Misfires
• Poor fuel economy
• Rough running

Common Causes

• Worn points
• Condenser failure
• Distributor wear
• Faulty ignition leads

Many owners now upgrade to electronic ignition.

Best Ignition Upgrade

Recommended Product: Electronic Ignition Conversion Kit

Benefits

• Improved reliability
• Better spark consistency
• Reduced maintenance
• Easier starting

Best For

• Regular drivers
• Touring vehicles
• Mild performance builds

Fuel Pump Failures

Mechanical fuel pumps eventually wear out.

Symptoms

• Hard starting
• Fuel starvation
• Loss of power
• Poor high-speed performance

Causes

• Diaphragm deterioration
• Internal wear
• Age-related failures

Fortunately, replacement pumps remain readily available.

Valve Train Wear

High-mileage Red Motors often develop valve train wear.

Symptoms

• Tappet noise
• Reduced performance
• Poor idle quality

Common Causes

• Worn rocker gear
• Camshaft wear
• Incorrect valve adjustment

Regular servicing helps minimise wear.

Best Engine Service Kit

Recommended Product: Complete Red Motor Service Kit

Typically includes:

• Oil filter
• Spark plugs
• Points
• Condenser
• Air filter

Benefits

• Simplifies servicing
• Cost-effective maintenance

Best Inspection Tool

Recommended Product: Compression Tester Kit

Useful For

• Assessing engine health
• Diagnosing worn rings
• Identifying valve problems
• Evaluating project cars

Compression testing is one of the most valuable diagnostic procedures for any Red Motor.

Common Red Motor Rebuild Mistakes

Reusing Old Timing Gears

A common cause of future failure.

Ignoring Cooling System Condition

Many rebuilt engines are damaged by neglected radiators.

Incorrect Ignition Timing

Poor performance and overheating often result.

Using Modern Low-Zinc Oils

Flat tappet camshafts benefit from higher zinc formulations.

Are 149 and 179 Red Motors Reliable?

Absolutely.

Despite their age, both engines remain among the most durable Holden powerplants ever produced.

When properly maintained, they offer:

• Excellent reliability
• Simple servicing
• Strong parts availability
• Authentic driving experience

Most common problems today are related to age rather than fundamental design flaws.

The Holden 149 and 179 Red Motors helped establish Holden’s reputation for building tough, dependable six-cylinder engines. Their combination of simplicity, reliability and ease of maintenance means they remain a favourite among classic Holden enthusiasts decades after production ended.

Common issues such as oil consumption, timing gear wear, cooling system problems and ignition faults are all well understood and relatively straightforward to address. With quality products such as Penrite oils, Permaseal gasket kits, electronic ignition conversions and upgraded timing gears, owners can dramatically improve reliability while preserving the character of these iconic Australian engines.

Whether you’re restoring an EH Holden, maintaining a HR Premier or enjoying a weekend drive in a HK sedan, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the 149 and 179 is the key to keeping your Red Motor running smoothly for years to come.

Related Articles

• Best Oils for Early Holden Engines
• Grey Motor Oil Leak Problems Explained
• Early Holden Cooling System Problems
• Best Coolants for Classic Holdens
• Early Holden Starting Issues Guide
• How to Inspect an Early Holden Before Buying