Thread: Convert Series 2 with Holden 202, back to a Land Rover engine

Originally Posted by Pabloako

Hi everyone,

I have picked up a 1960 Series 2 (ex army) and she is in a bad way and needs some serious loving. Some rust where rust happens and she hasn't run for over 25 years now. It has a Holden 202 in there, however whilst trying to get it to run I heard a loud crack and she totally seized up.

My questions are:

• Should I restore her back to a Land Rover engine (my preference would be diesel)

It will be worth more and arguably better to drive and more reliable with a Rover engine. Diesel is preferable for offroad or if you are doing a lot of driving due to the economy, but is significantly lower power - and by modern standards, even the petrol engine is a bit low powered, especially in the 109, which I assume yours is if it is ex-army. If planning to restore it to service specification, they were all petrol, so that may be a factor.

• If so, do I need to fiddle around with Engine mounts and a new clutch etc.

Depends on how the conversion was done - also there may have been chassis modifications. It is likely that the conversion used the Rover clutch, but this is by no means certain.


If restoring her back to a Landy engine, are they easy to get hold of?

Many thanks

Paul

The Rover engines are not something you can easily find at a wrecker, but there must be a lot of them lying around in (or out) of vehicles which have the chassis beyond repair due to rust (I have one I could be persuaded to part with for example). The engines are pretty durable, but expect to have to do at least rings and bearings and valve stem seals and probably a few other bits on any engine you get, and you may have to find some accessories. However, parts are generally available, and not very expensive (this comment is about the fours - the six is another story).