Thread: Convert Petrol to Diesel

That was my original thought .. I what to restore the 1960 S2 2.25 petrol engine and have it travel 24000 kms through Europe and Asia., it must be a challenge and it sure will be.

Originally Posted by Themadmob

That was my original thought .. I what to restore the 1960 S2 2.25 petrol engine and have it travel 24000 kms through Europe and Asia., it must be a challenge and it sure will be.

Go for it!! The old series petrol engines will run on very poor petrol so it will be ideal for Asia. Just take some obvious spares, like a carby kit, points, belts and hoses you know the sort of stuff.
I once drove a 1966 MGB GT from the UK to Italy, we got some very funny looks on that trip.
Are you restoring the rest of it or just the motor?
How much is it going to cost you to get it in and out of Aus for the trip?
Chris

I'm also restoring everything on the Landy as well ...it was stripped down to chassis ...Apparently about $2500 to ship to UK

You could always do option C:
Do both, restore an old 2.25 petrol with original gearbox etc, but for the trip grab a 200/300tdi with a Disco/ defender 5 speed to give you better economy, power and parts availability.( possible power steer addition if you want) Also more comfortable cruising speed And as your going though the uk potential to get a few more horses to climb the ranges. A bigger intercooler etc.
You could then recoup some money onselling the engine gearbox when you got back.

Originally Posted by frantic

You could always do option C:
Do both, restore an old 2.25 petrol with original gearbox etc, but for the trip grab a 200/300tdi with a Disco/ defender 5 speed to give you better economy, power and parts availability. Also more comfortable cruising speed And as your going though the uk potential to get a few more horses to climb the ranges. A bigger intercooler etc.

What is the work involved in dropping a defender gearbox in ???

From what I understand a Disco 200tdi gearbox is better as it is higher ratio 1.1 compared to defender 1.4 Ratio.
It may need mods in the inside around the panels over gearbox and a mod you should have is the crossmember under gearbox cut and made to be bolt in rather than welded.(easier for clutch change etc.
The other options are an overdrive, to original series box, with a 200tdi, or fit lower ratios front and rear, standard are 4.7, newer defenders, Discos and the rrc all had 3.54, some 10 spline, others 24.
There are a lot of conversions on the uk sites as s2 and early s3 are tax free, have a look.
Fitting a Defender 5spd box to my 200tdi Series 3 - Series Forum - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum

Originally Posted by Themadmob

What is the work involved in dropping a defender gearbox in ???

Quite a lot. I would suggest a slightly detuned Tdi against a Series 2 box as they're stronger than the Series 3 (All synchro) box, and then fit an overdrive. If you have the time, then yes a Defender box is the go. With a Discovery box, yes and no. Yes the ratio is better at 1.222:1 in the transfer case, but no due to its length. To have the gear lever where it should be, you'd have to move the engine forward about 160mm as the R380 and Disco Lt77's have longer bell housing... For a rough idea on work involved with fitting a 5 speed, I have a thread going in Projects and Tutorials called 'SWMBO's Ser 2 Tdi The Beginning' or something like that.. Its the beginning of a ground up resto on a Series vehicle that's going to be fast, reliable, fuel efficient and reasonably comfortable. I have sourced a Defender LT77 as they're shorter and not too dissimilar to a Series box. They run the LT 230 Transfercase which has plenty of ratio options. Going back to the petrol as an option to restore, if you do that, then look to a 'Turner' recon head out of the UK as they have hardened valve inserts and are set up to run unleaded long term, and would prob handle gas too. I've had nothing to do with gas converting a 2.286 tho so can't comment. As said before, fit a diesel cam. If you do go down this route make up a decent 2.5" exhaust, with decent inlet and exhaust manifolds. A decent later twin choke carby of a car would also be something worth considering. Loose the oil bath air filter too.

Found it:- http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-t...beginning.html

Dont discount the ability of a well tuned 2.25D.

Ask baz or icefyre about some of the bits achieved on the ccccc trip. I won the race against the td5 d2 on the telegraph on the way back down.

And on top.of all of that i used less diesel than any other vehicle on the trip except the regularly repaired range rover.