19J Refurb - advice please

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DeeDarRover

Member
Posts
10
Location
Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Hi There,

So... I've got a 1967 88" that has had a Late 19J and 4sp syncro box with fairey o/d installed in it at some point in its past. It looks like it's had a good job done on it - it has an original Snorkel that has been plumbed in to the breather as well as the intake, Oil cooler, Kenlowe fan (that packed in at the weekend, loose wires I hope...) and looks very tidy.

It's in decent nick all round and I intend to keep it long-term, but I'm under no illusions about it being a low-maintenance item...

The box will need a rebuild at some point - starting to jump out of second on overrun when in 4wd, but fine in 2wd with hubs free... so when I pull the box out I'm considering pulling the engine at the same time and doing a full recon on it - bores, rings, pistons (if needed) crank, shells and making sure the head is 100% before rebuilding with all new seals etc. Basically making as good (if not better) than when it left the factory.

I can already hear the "put a 200tdi" in it comments coming... Am I being daft to consider rebuilding the 19J? The problems associated with it don't bother me as I'd be looking after it properly. At the moment it's running fine, it's probably a project for next spring once the risk of snow has gone :)

Cheers guys, all advice appreciated :)
 
fit the 200, I'm currently driving a 200 109 which jumps out of third and second, next on the to do list is to fit a 5 speed conversion using the LT77 and LT230 as I have the space for it

200 is getting tuned up once the cam belts done so odds are it'll break the box completely

19j is outdated and a bit crap
 
Nothing wrong with keeping the 19J if you ask me. From what I can tell, the mythical supply of cheap rotten discos with good engines has pretty much dried up, so you're left with an engine on a pallet of unknown condition that may end up needing a rebuild anyway.

I'd strip down the TD in any case to assess its condition. If it's lacking any major faults, rebuild it up and you'll have an 'as new' engine that should be well matched to a series and give ample performance.
 
Had similar with ours 19J 1989 TD
Head gasket had been changed 3k ago (by a garage)
Still not running right.

Took it to work and with the help and guidance of a mechanic mate,
Took head off, not all bolts were tight enough.
Core plug leak on the top of the block, replaced it.
Swirl chambers badly cracked and damaged by dripping injectors
Replaced all 4
Injectors heads replaced and body reconditioned.
Had head skimmed
New gasket set


Runs like a dream

Oh put an up rated starter motor on up to 2kw instead of the 1.5kw

Nice now both starting and running

Gunner re torque head bolts at 500 mile of running steady.

Cost £350 just for bits and work done.
 
DeeDarRover said:
Hi There,

So... I've got a 1967 88" that has had a Late 19J and 4sp syncro box with fairey o/d installed in it at some point in its past. It looks like it's had a good job done on it - it has an original Snorkel that has been plumbed in to the breather as well as the intake, Oil cooler, Kenlowe fan (that packed in at the weekend, loose wires I hope...) and looks very tidy.

It's in decent nick all round and I intend to keep it long-term, but I'm under no illusions about it being a low-maintenance item...

The box will need a rebuild at some point - starting to jump out of second on overrun when in 4wd, but fine in 2wd with hubs free... so when I pull the box out I'm considering pulling the engine at the same time and doing a full recon on it - bores, rings, pistons (if needed) crank, shells and making sure the head is 100% before rebuilding with all new seals etc. Basically making as good (if not better) than when it left the factory.

I can already hear the "put a 200tdi" in it comments coming... Am I being daft to consider rebuilding the 19J? The problems associated with it don't bother me as I'd be looking after it properly. At the moment it's running fine, it's probably a project for next spring once the risk of snow has gone :)

Cheers guys, all advice appreciated :)
Click to expand...

My 19j hasn't been too bad, but I do look after it. I don't think there are as many cheap, good Tdis around as people think. If power isn't a concern you could always de-Turbo for extra reliability, 2.5na is a pretty strong engine. Turbo or na are loads cheaper to rebuild than Tdi as well.
I would get rid of the electric fan, viscous fan is better imo.

Take the head off, have a look and measure of wear in the bores, check the head very carefully for warping or cracks! You might get away with new swirl chambers, bolts and a gasket if the head is straight and no cracked pistons or head. :)
 
id loose the 19j and put a tdi in , the 19j is nothing but a crap engine , crap performance and crap reliability

never had a problem with any of my TDI powered landys , had 2 19j engines blow up in differengt vehicles , naturally they were replaced with 200's

also if fitting a TDI I would NEVER take the turbo off , its designed to run with a turbo , taking it off is not going to do it any favours
 
Thanks for the advice guys, I'm in no hurry to take it to bits at the moment but when I do I'll be sure to post pics of my endeavors...! Think i agree with you Turboman about the fan - when overheating has such a detrimental effect on the engine I think having the certainty of air blowing through the rad is essential... The radiator still has the cowl on the inside it's just a case of getting hold of the fan assy.

Cheers!
 
Turboman said:
My 19j hasn't been too bad, but I do look after it. I don't think there are as many cheap, good Tdis around as people think. If power isn't a concern you could always de-Turbo for extra reliability, 2.5na is a pretty strong engine. Turbo or na are loads cheaper to rebuild than Tdi as well.
I would get rid of the electric fan, viscous fan is better imo.

Take the head off, have a look and measure of wear in the bores, check the head very carefully for warping or cracks! You might get away with new swirl chambers, bolts and a gasket if the head is straight and no cracked pistons or head. :)
Click to expand...

I agree with this :) You can always adjust the turbo wastegate and turn down the fuel pump to limit the power slightly without de-turboing. A few years ago a 200tdi might have been a better proposition as there were more cheap dead discos around. Personally, I think a late 19J returned to as-new would be a good option. With the later ones, reliability shouldn't be an issue as long as you maintain it properly. I'd much rather spend my cash on rebuilding an engine, than on a replacement that might itself need rebuilding (at higher cost).
 
for £500 you can get a complete disco , sell the bits , engine would cost £250 or less, and you can drive it beforehand , moest TDI engines can easily do 250.000 miles

granted there are not as many around anymore
 
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