Thread: 2A swb petrol to diesel??

The petrol and diesel engines are a bolt in swap except for wiring, fuel system and exhaust. The petrol and diesel clutches from memory are not identical, but look similar. Series 2a and 3 clutches are not fully interchangeable - but I think you can use them; someone else may be able to be more specific. However I would be inclined to fit a new 2a diesel pressure and driven plates.

There will be other bits you need to swap off the diesel such as the engine stop control and parts of the throttle linkage (early S3 used links, later cable but diesel and petrol differ somewhat anyway). I think the pressure of the radiator cap is different as well, and the radiator and air cleaner hoses are different between petrol and diesel. The fuel tank needs a return line, but this can be added, and the fuel gauge sender needs to be swapped for the diesel one with the warning light switch. And beware of the tendency for a petrol tank filled with diesel to pick up thirty years worth of gunk that was staying in place when filled with petrol!

John

I swapped from petrol to diesel some 9 years ago.
Had it done by a diesel mechanic friend (owed me a favour).

IMO the diesel is the pick of the two. Slower but in my experience more reliable as it does not need Price of Darkness Lucas Electrics to keep going. The economy is far better.
Had the diesel fitted and went off to Cape York. Didn't miss a beat.

As John said, there are a few little things that need to be swapped / added depending on the engine.

However, my diesel is a Series III diesel in a Series II so I used Series II/IIA diesel engine accessories and controls instead of SIII - linkages instead of cable, engine stop cable replaced choke, added massive relay for the glow plugs with a separate switch (you can swap your ingintion switch for a diesel one), didn't bother with a new sender unit. You will also need diesel fuel filter either bolted to the bulkhead or, if you have a 10gal tank, a SIII fuel filter mounts in front of the tank. I bolted the filter on the bulkhead for ease of access and coz I have a 16 gal tank... besides I didn't like the idea of a fuel filter being so close to the ground.

There are lots of options as a lot of parts are interchangeable between SII/IIA/III and I guess once you decide on the engine people will help you here will help you out. If you want to be as close to SIIA as possible, the Green Bible will be your best friend.

Thanks guys,
Valuable info and don't know why it has taken sooo long for me to find this place. This has been a project going no where for a couple of years. It has been moved up the priority list due to number one son getting his licence. Trouble is I don't reckon he'll be getting the Landie, I am looking forward to getting it on the road, had one 25 years ago and loved it.
Don't spose you'd know the paint code or name for the "typical" series 2a green.

Regards Russell.

G'day Russell,

Good Luck with the restore - Love to see some pics

Here's a couple of links I grabbed from the Series 1 section that may help.

Paint Colours etc

British Standard Paint Codes BS-381C Colours

Classic Land Rovers


Painting Land Rovers


I presume you are talking about "Bronze Green"


Oh, and welcome to the forum

Series II and IIA, AFAIK were bronze-green LRC001 (mine is)

I'll get some pics on as soon as it's presentable!!

I am feeling a lot more confident now with a knowledge base to refer to!!

Originally Posted by relick62au

I'll get some pics on as soon as it's presentable!!

I am feeling a lot more confident now with a knowledge base to refer to!!

I have a 200tdi in my SWB . It has sIII clutch and pressure plate. No problems so far after 55000 kms. I am running high speed diffs (3.54:1). Modified fuel tanks for return, solenoid switch for changing tanks an in line filters before the solnoid to avoid to 30+ yrs of crud in the system.
Nick

YAY,
The diesel donk is in and running, new clutch plate, the old one was oil soaked and the diesel plate has a larger diameter than the petrol one by 10mm so didnt use it. Should be on the road within the month, some wiring and lots of pait work and assembly to go.........
Anyone got an old lucas alternator ya not attached to?? I have started a thread in the general section about it. Mine is ok but broke the bolts so need the bracket (front) end.
Back to the panel work now............
Russell.