C240 powered Series 3

[robinseries3]

Hi,

I have a SWB 1978 C240 powered Series 3 with an overdrive.

Runs and stops OK.

I am looking for Melbourne based recommendations for a service/repair company. I would like the engine gone through, the gearbox/diffs checked, the suspension checked and maybe upgraded or just new bushes etc.

Who should I take this to?

I have had the vehicle for 3 years but it has been off the road - it runs - shifts - stops but I would like to start using it on the road so want it gone through by someone experienced to ensure it is put into good condition.

[gromit]

What part of Melbourne ?

Fred Smith Automotive in Bayswater would probably do it but he'd do it at his pace.....

Not sure if he be interested in working on the C240 motor, you'd have to ask although he had a C240 powered Series III there some years back.

The motor certainly goes OK in a shorty but most others I've found were fitted to LWB vehicles.

Details of mine here Isuzu C240 powered Series 3 (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/other-powered-series-land-rovers/151959-isuzu-c240-powered-series-3-a.html)
Previous owned had the injection system worked on by a diesel specialist. I found the motor is used in forklifts, refrigeration units etc.




Colin

[robinseries3]

Thanks Colin. I am in St Kilda - happy to travel a way for the right person. I just want somebody in the know to go over the whole vehicle and do what is needed. It seems solid and seems to drive OK so I am not thinking it needs anything major. I did find Freds details and will try to speak to him about it. Anyone else in Melbourne that is good??

[gromit]

Thanks Colin. I am in St Kilda - happy to travel a way for the right person. I just want somebody in the know to go over the whole vehicle and do what is needed. It seems solid and seems to drive OK so I am not thinking it needs anything major. I did find Freds details and will try to speak to him about it. Anyone else in Melbourne that is good??

Do you have room to work on it where you are ? If so maybe contact blknight.aus on this forum, he might be able to help.

Colin

[dmulally]

Hi All,

New poster here and figured it would dovetail onto this one. I have used my shorty as a farm hack for a while but I'm looking at getting it back on the road. It is an absolute pain to start and before I go too far I'd like to give the engine a birthday. I looked online and there are dodgy looking rebuild kit suppliers out there. Can anybody recommend somewhere to get a kit from (pistons, liners etc) that is good quality?

Pics of the landy out of interest.

Cheers

Damo

162310
162311

[gromit]

Hi All,

New poster here and figured it would dovetail onto this one. I have used my shorty as a farm hack for a while but I'm looking at getting it back on the road. It is an absolute pain to start and before I go too far I'd like to give the engine a birthday. I looked online and there are dodgy looking rebuild kit suppliers out there. Can anybody recommend somewhere to get a kit from (pistons, liners etc) that is good quality?




I haven't seen kits but an engine rebuilder told me that they could source parts.

It's an old engine but they seem to be used in forklifts, probably some Chinese rebuild kits available or try and source a better engine.
They do turn up on Ebay occasionally.

Is the compression down or maybe the glowplugs have failed ? The engines seem to go on forever (OK maybe an exaggeration) but will not start, even on a warm day, without use of the glowplugs.




Colin

[dmulally]

I haven't seen kits but an engine rebuilder told me that they could source parts.

It's an old engine but they seem to be used in forklifts, probably some Chinese rebuild kits available or try and source a better engine.
They do turn up on Ebay occasionally.

Is the compression down or maybe the glowplugs have failed ? The engines seem to go on forever (OK maybe an exaggeration) but will not start, even on a warm day, without use of the glowplugs.




Colin

I haven't got the adapter to compression test but I'm assuming that is the problem as I swapped the glow plugs and they all have power to them.

I spoke to a local-ish engine builder who said he can still get parts easily and that the kits are all Chinese made for The Philippines where they were very popular apparently. Probably time it had a birthday anyway.

Have you happened to run yours with overdrive by any chance? Just wondering if it is worth it or not.

[gromit]

I haven't got the adapter to compression test but I'm assuming that is the problem as I swapped the glow plugs and they all have power to them.

I spoke to a local-ish engine builder who said he can still get parts easily and that the kits are all Chinese made for The Philippines where they were very popular apparently. Probably time it had a birthday anyway.

Have you happened to run yours with overdrive by any chance? Just wondering if it is worth it or not.

You mention all the glowpugs have power to them but do they actually work ?
When it doesn't start is there a lot of thick white smoke from the exhaust ?

They are an old engine and when searching around I did come up with engines in the Philippines for sale. There is also an industrial version of the engine but I'm not sure what the differences are.
Some years back one came up in QLD complete with Land Rover conversion plate, transfer box & gearbox. Dellow must have done quite a few conversions. I have a spare here but condition is unknown.

Mine has a high ratio transfer box and despite the naysayers works well. Keeps up with traffic on the freeway and isn't stressed at 100kph.
Only downside is it doesn't like 4th much below 60kph.


Colin

[robinseries3]

You can buy the Chinese rebuild kits on Ebay.

Federal Mogul Engine Rebuild Kit Fits Isuzu C240 4 Grooves | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Federal-Mogul-Engine-Rebuild-Kit-Fits-Isuzu-C240-4-Grooves/121864650686)

If you search around on Alibaba you can also find the parts - as well as entire new CHINESE built C240 engines. I emailed a supplier and they got down to below $1500 USD for an entire engine. I almost went for one at the thought of have a bran new engine. But I suspect an old Japanese one will last longer than a new Chinese one.

[dmulally]

You mention all the glowpugs have power to them but do they actually work ?
When it doesn't start is there a lot of thick white smoke from the exhaust ?


Colin

Ta and no idea if they actually work. They are/were new when I put them in. Being a farm hack I just parked on a hill usually.

The smoke that lets the world know it started is black. It goes away after a minute or so. I'm usually hurtling down a muddy hill to do a job so don't usually look. [bigsmile1]