2.6 - too rare to tdi? thoughts please!

so, I have a S3 109 2.6, with a fairly worn motor, and a LPG conversion (when it works)

currently it's fairly useless motor wise - keeps breaking, parts are hard to find, and expensive when you can find them, but it's a solid old bus, and could be made good again, but...

... with the 2.6 it's never going to realistically be a daily driver, 10 to the gallon is not good, even with the price of LPG

the question is, do I chuck a 300tdi in it, or is it rare/unusual enough to keep original and sell to someone who wants a 2.6 while I get a 'stock' 109 and tdi that (or maybe even a defender :screaming_bug_eye_f)

thoughts please!

cheers

Terry

hi there
I think it is rather hard to fit a 300 tdi as the bealhousing doesn't match to the engine(correct me if im wrong) .If you want still want to plant a 300 tdi i would buy a matching gearbox to it.. but this could get expensive...

bell housing can be changed on the gear box for the 4 clyinder one , but if its original 6 cylinder sell it and get another if possible

If you do, I'd be tempted to buy / swap engine (if 4 pot parts are easier to mate). I'd quite like a 2.6 to try tuning up. I'm sure with some thought and fettling it could be made to do better than 10mpg!

the sixpot chassis also makes it harder to fit a 200/300tdi engine into due to the engine being set deeper into the bulkhead, you would have troubles fitting the turbo and would probably/possibly need a defender turbo

you would probably also need to move the engine mounts on the chassis or make up your own, or add a pair cut off a four pot chassis but relocated to suit your engine position

sixpot gearbox as already pointed out doesn't match up to the engine without changing the bellhousing

it's definitely not a five minute swap into the sixpot, i've done three into fourpot chassis so far which i've found to be a nice job (it get's easier after you've done the first one)

I looked at the issues with the tdi conversion for the six pot, and it seemed OK to me - the issue really is should I chop a genuine 6 pot about!

I checked when I bought it and it is original, but don't really know how rare they are, or how desirable

ok there#'s plenty of four pots (i do mean plenty) and there's a lot fewer sixpots and some folks really do like an unaltered sixpot (i'd like one but can't afford the fuel)

if yours is in generally good condition i'd consider selling it to someone that would preserve it/rebuild the engine and buy a fourpot to convert

i know someone who's recently paid strong money for a sixpot station wagon and is stripping and rebuilding the whole vehicle, he can afford to

the problem is in finding someone who can afford to buy yours at a fair value

I can't afford the fuel either and as my only vehicle that's an issue, I may have a see whether anyone wants it, and chop a 4 around instead!

it's a shame, as it's lovely to drive, and sounds great, but needs must when the devils biting your bum...

chop the engine... as for the earlier post that a 300 will fit gearbox with a bellhousing swop for 4 cyl??? i would definately check that?? i think its a no no.... landrover petrols are awful as far as economy, i have just tdi'd my lightweight and i know purists will be turning in their graves but id rather drive an economical lightweight every day than a normal car and lightweight on special occasions

yes its not original but a tdi is far more practical and appeals to a wider audience than the 2-300 rivet counting spotters out there lol

cheers steve

I have removed 4 cyl engines and fitted six pots into series motors, just changed the bell housing. Last one I did was a 105 S engine with twin SU's. 10 mpg seems bad I had a 107 with a rover 90 engine and although it was a few years ago I'm sure it was doing 18/20 mpg with overdrive.

owl said:

10 mpg seems bad I had a 107 with a rover 90 engine and although it was a few years ago I'm sure it was doing 18/20 mpg with overdrive.

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My 6 pot without an O/D gets 16-18 to the gallon.

Its your car so go with what you want to do. Hot rodding classics is one of those sensitive subjects but there are always enough purists to keep mint examples of various cars for the future.

Have you had a look on the Classic Rover forum?

They should be able to advise on parts and setting up your 6 pot for economy.

I recently did a rebuild on a Rover 100, and he now gets around the 30mpg mark!

Is it possible to buy another 2.6 engine that way you keep it a 6 pot.

there is a land rover garage in stockport ( 0161-480 3165 ) who keeps a collection of good running 4 and 6 pot engines in stock, mite be worth a call