Series 1 2.25 diesel into a series 1

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

dag019

Well-Known Member
Posts
5,391
Location
Warwick
a friend has a ‘57 series 1 which has had a 2l Peugeot diesel engine fitted and we believe a series 3 gearbox. Although not fully diagnosed we believe this engine has thrown a rod and parts for it are difficult to get and limited. We are considering removing it and fitting a 2.25 depending on how much work is required as then at least it is a Land Rover engine and parts should be easier to get hold of. I am also fairly familiar with this engine as I have it fitted to my series 3.

Has anyone done this conversion and know what is involved? Currently at the initial research stage so any information appreciated.
 
Watch the front pulley on 2.25 engine onto the front diff. Bit tight so the get measurements right. Can hit if you hit a bump too hard if wrong.
What wheel base is the S1?
 
Come across quite a few S1s with 2.25 engines fitted at meets / shows etc. My spare 2.25d came out of a S1 but It had already been removed so I'm not familiar with the conversion. The one that my engine was originally fitted to also had power steering from a P38.
 
I did a 2.25 diesel conversion on my friends 80" many years ago. We used it as our wedding car 21 years ago... I fabricated steel engine mounts to match the 80" chassis so no mods to the chassis were done.I fully rebuilt the engine at the time and it has done plenty of work since,regular trips to the south of France. Because the 80" is quite light it had plenty of power,in overdrive on 7.50x16 tyres it happily cruised at 65-70mph.
So, if the engine is in good condition to start with I'd have no problem with it,saying that a 2.25 petrol is quieter and more pleasant to drive...
 
I don't think the diesel is a bad engine, it is what i have in my series 3. He currently has a diesel fitted so the thinking was another diesel should just drop in with minimal work. It is the engine positioning I am looking for really to make sure it is a sensible option and wil fit without drastic modification work. The mounts have been moved to fit the Peugeot engine so they will need to be removed and re-welded to suit.
I am amusing it is a case of mounting the engine to the gearbox and then marking up where the mounts need to be?
 
Mount engine to box.
Fit series box onto original mounts on chassis.
I used 1 of the original mounts on the S1 (80") & made the other.
As said before I am very close to the front axle & front Pully has a bit missing where it hit once.
Still all standard S1 diffs etc & cruises every where 40mph. Can go quicker but we leave the other S1 behind as it's a 1600 original.
Check radiator capicicty as we still run original.
Engine 2.25 5 bearing on S3 box.
Changed front fan to a RRC air con fan as it is tight
IMG_6598.JPG
 
Well after some investigation over the weekend the rods for cylinders 3 and 4 have dropped and bent. As the easiest way to repair this will be engine out it has made the decision that it will be easier and more cost effective to swap the engine rather than repair this one. So I think a 2.25 diesel is on the cards unless anyone can suggest something better. I know the petrol is more refined but he likes diesels and knows what to expect as it is a diesel in mine.
The most important factors are the ease of fitments and the availability of spares which the 2.25 seems to fit the bill for.
 
Will be a project for the summer I feel when the weather is better. Might start stripping it and take the old one out before. But i doubt much will be done. Need a replacement before we can start building properly. There does not seem to be as many around as their used to be, and getting one that is in known condition rather than been on a pallet under a tarp for years, but used to run, seems to be even more difficult.
 
Back
Top