2.25 Series Diesel Engines

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ConnorSeries

New Member
Posts
25
Location
Essex
Hi all,
i tried the search but couldn't find the information i need.
I have a 1982 s3 2.25d with suspected head crack, i have a potentially found a decent 2.25d on ebay but is described as just a 'series 2.25 diesel engine', am i right in thinking that this will fit and there were no differences in engines etc, or am i after a specific later 2.25d for a series 3? Only reason i ask is that i am doing a near 7 hour round trip to pick it up and i don't want it to not be compatible.

Thanks in advance :D
 
At 1982 yours should be a 5 main bearing engine, look for external ribbing cast in to crankcase sides and terocota paint colour if not repainted. Your head may well be metric, the older heads where imperial sizes on fastenings. I seem to remember a kit being available to fit metric heads to imperial blocks. I should be possible to fit an older head if you change a few bolts. Take a very careful look at the hot spots before fitting the head, they can do loads of damage if one breaks up. Don't ask how I know this.......
 
Thanks for the reply.
I was under the impression that mine was a 5 bearing being later, and that the early
Ones used a 3 bearing crank setup.
My question is that will a complete 3 bearing engine bolt straight into a later bay with the 5 bearing setup, are the ancillaries the same etc.
 
A 3 bearing engine will bolt in without problems. Be prepared to have to change over things like throttle linkages and heater valves. If the butterfly flap for brake servo is worn badly bin it and fit an electric vacuum pump, I did and it transformed the running and brakes. Couple of hours to fit and around £70. I can give you a wiring diagram but they are simple to do.
 
Thanks divie, i have found a good online guide that has shown the differences between the 3 bearing and 5 bearing engines and judging by the pictures i have sent it is a 5 bearing engine which is what i was after. Thanks again for your help.
 
Would it not be cheaper to change the head....why would you think the head is cracked as opposed to just the head gasket gone?
 
divie said:
At 1982 yours should be a 5 main bearing engine, look for external ribbing cast in to crankcase sides and terocota paint colour if not repainted. Your head may well be metric, the older heads where imperial sizes on fastenings. I seem to remember a kit being available to fit metric heads to imperial blocks. I should be possible to fit an older head if you change a few bolts. Take a very careful look at the hot spots before fitting the head, they can do loads of damage if one breaks up. Don't ask how I know this.......
Click to expand...


yes, the situation is as Divie said, i got stung with a 3 baring unit just 4 months ago, being a 3 baring unit will mean its more liable to POP ITS CLOGGS than a 5 UNIT. but being honest with you both are terrible engines unless you start fresh with them, but that's just my opinion and the land rover magazines opinion. I have had 5 and 4 out of the 5 were terrible. one was good but only because it was very low mileaged and a barn find.:cool:
 
series 3 sweet 16 said:
yes, the situation is as Divie said, i got stung with a 3 baring unit just 4 months ago, being a 3 baring unit will mean its more liable to POP ITS CLOGGS than a 5 UNIT. but being honest with you both are terrible engines unless you start fresh with them, but that's just my opinion and the land rover magazines opinion. I have had 5 and 4 out of the 5 were terrible. one was good but only because it was very low mileaged and a barn find.:cool:
Click to expand...

Why do you feel the 2.25d is a terrible engine? It's nowhere near as good as a modern diesel but expectations have to be set for what's basically 1950's technology. I've had no issues with mine. Bit of smoke on cold start up but then runs clean and willing. Perhaps I've been lucky but it's had 13 previous owners.
 
Land Raver said:
Why do you feel the 2.25d is a terrible engine? It's nowhere near as good as a modern diesel but expectations have to be set for what's basically 1950's technology. I've had no issues with mine. Bit of smoke on cold start up but then runs clean and willing. Perhaps I've been lucky but it's had 13 previous owners.
Click to expand...

Not too much wrong with the 5 bearing engines, timing chains get a bit rattly at high mileage and also wear in the IP drive train due to the strange pump position on the old distributor drive.

They are a dieselised petrol engine, not really as good as a designed from scratch diesel like a Perkins or Gardner, but very capable of good reliability and longevity in their designed application, a Series! :)
 
ConnorSeries said:
Hi all,
i tried the search but couldn't find the information i need.
I have a 1982 s3 2.25d with suspected head crack, i have a potentially found a decent 2.25d on ebay but is described as just a 'series 2.25 diesel engine', am i right in thinking that this will fit and there were no differences in engines etc, or am i after a specific later 2.25d for a series 3? Only reason i ask is that i am doing a near 7 hour round trip to pick it up and i don't want it to not be compatible.

Thanks in advance :D
Click to expand...

you can fit any 2.25 head on metric or imperial ,with appropriate fastenings banjo etc they are very prone for cracking between the valves on each cylinder
 
series 3 sweet 16 said:
Because 4 out of the 5 I have had have been 3 bearing craps I have had one 5 bearing and it was better but still one of the worst I'd ever driven, have also driven some of my friends ones too off road
Click to expand...

you cant tell the difference between 5 or 3 bearing engines but any engine 40 years old will be most likely very worn ,but they are cheap to rebuild
 
3 bearing units need more attention than the 5 units because they have more faults than the 5, if you want work in situ then buy a 3 unit. If I was you I'd go retrofit and have a 12 n.a 2.5 very hardy unit my old 110 has done over 365896 miles and still running strong with one in situ
 
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