Thread: Non-original motors

Originally Posted by scrambler

I'm looking at doing up a hybrid ex-miitary 2a as a tourer. It's already been butchered, but in a functional way (Series III rear tub, swingaway wheel holder on rear, holden 202 done neatly, square lights cut into front of guards)

Given the touring angle, I'm thinking diesel motor for it.

1) Are there any diesels that will slot into a Holden conversion?

2) Any other diesels that would be recommended?

3) Is the holden a better touring motor than the original 2.25?

I'm looking for reasonable economy and torque/power improvements, predominantly to improve cruising speed.

I've looked over similar past threads, where lots of untried ideas are mentioned. If possible I'd like ideas that have already been done.

1) Don't know of any

2) Can't help - but any of the smallish Jap motors are probably feasible. Problem is that any engine you choose is going to match the gearing only by accident, and any diesel with significantly more power than the Landrover diesels is going to risk damage to the gearbox and rear axle (due to the torque pulses, less problem with a six or eight petrol engine that has less torque at low rpm and lower pulses anyway), although fitting a salisbury is a simple solution to the axle problem.

3) Not with the original gearing - but with either a high ratio transfer case, overdrive or higher ratio diffs, it probably is. I hesitate to recommend the Fairy overdrive with the more powerful engine, although I think it would be OK with that engine if looked after. The other, much rarer overdrives are more robust.

The problem is that the 2a is not really very suited as a touring vehicle unless you are prepared to tour at speeds that were normal in the fifties/sixties when it was introduced (I found in the sixties my Series 2 was happy and gave reasonable economy travelling at a maximum cruising speed of about 50mph, and few passed me - most people travelled around this). Increasing the power and torque will do nothing for economy, which is never going to be very good anyway with the total lack of streamlining and frontal area of the 2a, although it can be improved by making sure everything is working properly.

I would be inclined to stick with the motor you have, improve the gearing, and perhaps convert to gas, but don't expect to have a fast touring vehicle.

To do that you would need more power (perhaps even a later Holden), this might need gearbox changes, definitely a salisbury rear axle, upgraded brakes, probably modification to the suspension to improve handling and perhaps ride - and do something about the fuel consumption, either gas or diesel, and a suitable diesel would be a lot more expensive. While all this could be done, for the amount you spent you would be able to buy a 110 or Defender that was diesel already, and provides a much more suitable touring vehicle.

Or stick to the vehicle more or less as designed - my preference would be the original motor, probably with the compression raised, and an overdrive fitted - and drive more slowly and have a look at the scenery!

John

Fit RR diff centres as a start,they make a world of difference to the overall driveability of early series models.I did it to one of mine once and it is a good setup.Buy a single one(or borrow) and fit it in the back,a simple job and take for a drive,you will be supprised. Pat

I think any conversion/improvement would cost too much in relation to what a Defender or esp. a diesel Discovery could be bought for.

Originally Posted by Capstan

I think any conversion/improvement would cost too much in relation to what a Defender or esp. a diesel Discovery could be bought for.

Ah, yes, Capstan, but where's the fun in that?

It's not just the motor I'll be playing with - it's installing all the mod cons in the back. If you can find me a canvas-roofed Disco for the money, I'll take it.

Many thanks John. Gas isn't really an option because I want to use the interior space. I might do my usual consideration of cost of conversion vs cost of fuel saved and drop the idea.

Pat, I'll give it a go - I have a Stage 1 so shouldn't be too hard to find the centres, or even a Salisbury if I want one.

Originally Posted by scrambler

Ah, yes, Capstan, but where's the fun in that?

It's not just the motor I'll be playing with - it's installing all the mod cons in the back. If you can find me a canvas-roofed Disco for the money, I'll take it.

I know where a soft top defender that could be for sale for the right money

It's all pretty much been said. As for the Holden Vs the 2.25 :

The 2.25 is a better touring motor and will rev out and keep the vehicle at 100-110kph better than the Holden.

If you follow the advice and change gearing, then the Holden should be fine.

Going to a bigger motor will also mean looking at another gearbox with matching transfercase.

It may also mean upgrading the brakes. I found 2A/SIII 6 Cyl brakes with the SIII dual circuit brake booster to be very effective and a cheap and easy upgrade. I may still have a Booster & master Cyl and front 6cyl brakes in the shed - PM me if you're interested (I'm @ work & can't confirm they're there right now).

If you're considering the LPG option (I prefer the diesel option), then you can fit a SW fuel tank at the back, cut the outriggers for the side tanks, and fit LPG Tanks along the sides that reach from your seat box to the outrigger in front of the rear wheels. I did that on my SIII and was able to carry 80 litres ULP in the rear tank and 70 litres LPG in the side tanks. All the fuel was under the car and none of the tanks sat lower than the chassis. That gave me a reasonale touring range.

Originally Posted by Michael2

[B]......
If you're considering the LPG option (I prefer the diesel option), then you can fit a SW fuel tank at the back, cut the outriggers for the side tanks, and fit LPG Tanks along the sides that reach from your seat box to the outrigger in front of the rear wheels. I did that on my SIII and was able to carry 80 litres ULP in the rear tank and 70 litres LPG in the side tanks. All the fuel was under the car and none of the tanks sat lower than the chassis. That gave me a reasonale touring range.

Good point. There is a lot of waste space under the Series/Defender body.

John

Well, I've got a 109" with 2.25 petrol and Roverdrive, and I'm getting pretty sick of it on the highway at 100kmh. I used to have a 202, but without the overdrive, and it really needed the extra gearing. I'd much prefer the Holden back in with something else to raise the gearing. (I've found that the Roverdrive really doesn't like heat.) This 2.25 I've got has had the usual mods but still can't match the 202 in power, and you need that extra power to match the raised gearing.

If I were you, I'd keep the Holden and raise the diff gearing. Slowing down the rpm of the driveshafts helps reduce the vibrations and noise. (Anything to help, right?)

I've been looking at diesels, too, and there are a few kits from http://www.engineconversions.co.uk/ but the price of the kit and of the engine could buy a lot of petrol!

One thing I've found in the middle of nowhere is that these old vehicles still shine in that their simplicity makes life easier in bad conditions. I took this one on a two-day drive along the Tanami after a rebuild and it was easy to check for corrugation damage because there wasn't that much to check!