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Holden Isuzu Engine Number
Use this guide to locate the engine number on your Holden Isuzu and line up the right engine-related parts enquiry.
Holden sold a wide range of Isuzu-derived vehicles in Australia over the years, including the Rodeo and Colorado utes, the Jackaroo and Monterey four-wheel-drive wagons and the Shuttle van, so the first step is always to identify which specific model you actually have. Because "Holden Isuzu" covers several very different vehicles rather than a single model, pinning down the exact model, generation and body style is essential before you go any further.
Where to find your Holden engine number
The stamped engine number is on a machined pad on the block. Its location depends on the engine family:
- Inline six-cylinder: on a pad on the right-hand side of the block, above the engine-mount boss.
- V8 (253 / 308, 4.2 / 5.0 litre): on a pad on the left-hand side of the block, above the engine mounting.
- V6 (Buick-derived, Ecotec, Alloytec): on the front left-hand face of the block, below the ignition coil.
- Later V6 and LS V8 models: the build / engine plate sits on the radiator support panel (VT-VZ era) or the passenger-side strut tower (VE / VF era).
You may need to wipe the pad clean to read the stamped number, and on air-conditioned cars the compressor can sit in front of it. Older Holden engines use a capacity-plus-tune prefix (for example 186S or a Q-series V8 code), while modern engines (Ecotec, Alloytec and the LS V8 family) use a GM engine code plus a separate stamped serial.
For the most accurate part match, send us both the engine code or prefix and the full stamped number, along with whether the car is automatic or manual.
On this model
Isuzu petrol and diesel engines fitted to these Holdens are identified by Isuzu engine codes and stamped serial numbers rather than the Holden engine-prefix system, so the Holden identification method will not apply. Begin by establishing whether the vehicle is petrol or diesel, its capacity and the specific model it is fitted to, then locate and quote the number stamped on the block exactly as it reads. That stamped code can then be cross-referenced against Isuzu engine listings to confirm the correct components. Because the same basic engine may have been used across more than one model or year, always verify the details against the actual vehicle rather than assuming. Where any doubt remains, treat the reading as a starting point and confirm before ordering.
This page also draws on later year-by-year data for Holden Isuzu to cover modern variants.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the engine number on a Holden Isuzu?
It is stamped on a machined pad on the engine block. Inline sixes are on the right side above the engine mount, the 253/308 V8s on the left side above the mount, and the V6 engines on the front left face below the ignition coil. You may need to wipe the pad clean to read it.
What is the difference between an engine prefix and an engine code?
Older Holden engines use a capacity-plus-tune prefix stamped on the block, while modern engines (Ecotec, Alloytec and the LS V8 family) use a GM engine code plus a separate stamped serial.
Do you match engine numbers to parts?
Yes. Send us the engine code or prefix and the full stamped number, plus whether the car is automatic or manual, and we will match the right engine-related part.
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