Thread: Best diesel conversion for a Series 3

almost anythings doable with the most common repower from other landies being first and foremost a detuned tdi 200 and then retrofitting the tdiX00 with its matching box and tcase then getting the front axles modded to take CVs most people try for a stage one front end.

As Dave says, almost anything is possible. However, some of the factors to take into account-

1. While the Series transfer case is likely to withstand most engines, the same cannot be said about the gearbox, but any change to a different gearbox tends to get quite expensive to mate it to the transfer case, and is likely to mean moving the transfer case position, with changes to prop shafts, chassis cross members and possibly bodywork. And if it is a swb, then there is not a lot of room to move the box back before the rear prop shaft gets too short. To fit gearbox plus transfer case from a newer Landrover has the added problem that they are all full time four wheel drive, so you need to fit CV joints in the front, and the whole exercise becomes a whole lot more than just a new engine. This strongly suggests that unless you want to spend a lot of time and money, then you need to restrict yourself to a modest increase in power.

2. The advantage of the 200Tdi is that the engine is a development of the four cylinder Landrover engine, and hence is pretty much a drop in replacement, very similar bell housing, engine mount positions etc. Hence this is by far the easiest. Any other small enough diesel can be fitted more or less with just a bell housing adapter, but the range of engine rpm may mean you have to change the overall gearing either by overdrive, high ratio box or diffs.

John

Have a look at this Expedition Land Rover site
It's an American site, but lots of info and ideas and a section on engine conversion for series landies

or this Message - AULRO Classifieds

or this one Message - AULRO Classifieds

Some years ago we called into a garage in Rolleston, Qld.

The proprietor had quite a business in rebuilding series L/R's, strip completely, hot dip gal chassis and repower. On c/chassis models he built custom camping backs.
He was installing Daihatsu 2.8 t/charged engines complete with g/box and I think retaining the L/R transfer box.
He had 3 or so in part completion, he called them "Frazer Island Specials" due to the anti corrosion precautions.

Looked a very neat conversion and I imagine would be reliable.
llandro

What about getting one of the 5 bearing LR diesels from the UK? These were not sold here.

My Dad had a Daihatsu diesel powered Series 3 109 HT prior to 1982, he thought very highly of it at the time, though the engine replaced a tired 4 cylinder diesel. He doesn't remember what vehicle it came from...but it wasn't a 'big' engine, maybe ~3 litres, not more. The conversion was done in SYdney so not the 'Fraser Island Special' llandro spoke of.