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#Post#: 102744--------------------------------------------------
LHD 109" series 3 - engine choices
By: NoelC Date: January 29, 2018, 10:31 am
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Many moons ago I bought a left hand drive 109" series 3,
ex-Royal Artillery. A bit of digging shows it started life as a
drone recovery body being converted to a standard GS later
during it's military service.
Over the last few years I've amassed some parts as originally I
planned to stick a Tdi in. I've got a scrap '93 disgay with
sweet Tdi and the correct diff for the front axle as well as any
other donor bits I'd need and a Salisbury rear from a boingy to
get both axles to 3.54:1. Being LHD I sourced a used debender
200 manifold and turbo assembly also, to keep things as high up
and out of the way as possible. Having experienced a 200Tdi on
series mounts in a lightweight I once owned I'll be going down
the disgay mounts route for sure.
Another engine that has come my way is a 2.5 petrol with power
steering pump. I've not had it running but it's all there with
twin choke Weber.
Finally in the parts stash is a new, genuine LR power steering
box from a LHD P38 which can go with either engine.
The original concept was to build something that won't get used
that often, but when it does it'll rack up some miles
euroleafing. Better performance over standard is the order of
the day really, either being a little more with the 2.5 petrol
or a lot more with the 200Tdi.
Plenty has changed since I bought the vehicle, and let's be
honest - the anti-diesel movement is only going to get worse so
should I bother with the increased grief of the Tdi conversion
or not? Decisions, decisions! Vote away and add your two
penn'th. :-?
#Post#: 102750--------------------------------------------------
Re: LHD 109" series 3 - engine choices
By: Sunny Jim Date: January 30, 2018, 3:33 pm
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I have gone down the 2.5 petrol route for a similar reason to
what you mention! Easy fit with little modification required,
although I fitted a power plus from ACR with SU carburettor. I
suspect these might become quite sought after in the future?
Mine came with adaption to use the mechanical throttle, does
yours already have a cable throttle?
This should go more or less straight in a Series 3 with a non
aircon waterpump (STC637) using a series pulley (I have an
electric fan, but the series fan should fit if you like). I also
used the Series thermostat top housing to use the original
radiator and pipes as standard.
I also got a late series 3 side cover to use a standard series
fuel pump. You would need to alter the exhaust front pipe at
least, or change for a larger bore system. ACR supply a 'free
flow' rear box, but I will be using a larger rear box I got for
doing a TDI install.
I used slightly trimmed 90 engine mount rubbers on standard
series brackets.
For the Series 2, it was necessary to remove the starter button
whilst the engine was installed, then remove the rear lifting
lug so it could be re-instated.
To plumb the heater, I used the Series 3 valve at the front and
blanked the second hole in the bypass housing using a brass plug
from a plumbers merchant. The rear outlet was a solid brass
turned one I got from Turners, although metric steel ones are
available (ERC9453). You could probably just use the Series 3
type pipes anyway?
You wont get the fuel economy of a TDI but it is a noticeably
much smoother engine than the three bearing ones, even in my
uprated version. I find fuel consumption in normal use is
similar to the 2.25, but with better performance. At the moment
I have standard gearing with an overdrive on 205 tyres, but have
a pair of 4.1 differentials I built up, plus a pair of uprated
rear halfshafts I got for the TDI job.
Sunny Jim
#Post#: 102751--------------------------------------------------
Re: LHD 109" series 3 - engine choices
By: jimmy74 Date: January 31, 2018, 2:34 pm
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TDI all the way. Just make sure that while the engine bay is
empty fit plenty of sound deadning.
#Post#: 102754--------------------------------------------------
Re: LHD 109" series 3 - engine choices
By: Doug_T Date: February 4, 2018, 5:26 pm
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I'd go for the petrol, and this is something I've been pondering
myself recently (I also have a TDi in my parts stash):
After doing an Aberdeen round trip at the end of last year (520
miles each way) in my 109 I am more minded to throw in a 5
speed box over a TDi conversion. I find my 2.25 petrol (with
head / carb done) goes well enough but I reckon ditching the
Fairey and going for a quieter main gearbox with slightly nicer
ratios would make a big difference.
#Post#: 102755--------------------------------------------------
Re: LHD 109" series 3 - engine choices
By: Dieselspanner Date: February 5, 2018, 2:50 am
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Hi Doug,
If you were going to change the 'box wouldn't it make sense to
go for a 300 TDI rather than a 2 1/4 petrol, or are there other
drawbacks?
Cheers Stef
#Post#: 102756--------------------------------------------------
Re: LHD 109" series 3 - engine choices
By: Doug_T Date: February 5, 2018, 1:46 pm
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Personal preference; whilst I think the TDi is a great engine,
not even its mother would call it "refined". However, as hinted
at above, a well set up 4 pot petrol is a lovely thing indeed.
My father's 2.5 (with mods) in a 109 station wagon is perfectly
capable of pushing the speedo needle off the clock, yet not
making your ears bleed while it does it.
Noel: you may have issues with the exhaust downpipe wanting to
occupy the same space as the Discovery engine mount if you go
down the Defender 200 manifold route.
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