about to buy a series 3 109 need some advice

hi all, about to spend a fair chunk of my harvest wages on a 109 (1980) it currently has a ford engine in it, I was wondering how I would find an original engine to swap it back. I am new to land rovers but really want to restore it.

yours Alfie

eBay, or some of the military dealers might get you one. Check the chassis on a 1980 as the steel in that era can be of variable quality.

A TDI block will also fit, as it's derived from the series engine.

Have you plenty of room at home, would an 88 be better for you, any thoughts of buying one with LR engine in it, such as the 2286 petrol / diesel , or the 200tdi from the discovery 1 , I’ve used that engine without the turbo or inter cooler makes a simple fit as described here


have a browse through the members projects section for some cracking 109 restorations

Ford engine, banana engine?
Unfortunately Series engine prices are on the up. I have a feeling an original diesel 109 would be very slow.
SWB petrol Series is quite nice to drive, relatively speaking.
What's wrong with the engine in it?

Anaconda said:

Ford engine, banana engine?
Unfortunately Series engine prices are on the up. I have a feeling an original diesel 109 would be very slow.
SWB petrol Series is quite nice to drive, relatively speaking.
What's wrong with the engine in it?

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just wanted to keep it as an original however do you believe it will be beneficial to leave it?

Honestly, an old ford conversion is almost as original as a LR engine. Only problem is getting bits for some old ford bucks can be more work.

It's a "period" conversion.

Alfie Reeve said:

just wanted to keep it as an original however do you believe it will be beneficial to leave it?

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If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. You’ll be spending half of your life keeping it in the road as it is.

Alfie Reeve said:

just wanted to keep it as an original however do you believe it will be beneficial to leave it?

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If it works OK I would leave it. You could then keep an eye out for a different engine as you go along.
If you haven't had a Series before be aware they need almost constant maintenance, made slightly more difficult due to being modified.

Good luck.
Prepare for bankruptcy.

Alfie Reeve said:

just wanted to keep it as an original however do you believe it will be beneficial to leave it?

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Depends on price, condition and how much you want to spend on it. And if you are planning on doing the work yourself.

Arguably if you want a standard one, you might be better off buying one to begin with. Unless you are getting a belter of a deal. Chances are buying and converting will cost you more than just buying what you wanted to begin with.

Any advice on converting back to standard depends on what engine is currently fitted, is it the nice V6 or the diesel?

I would agree with the above that if it currently works leave it alone for now but maybe start looking for an original (petrol or diesel depending on your preference) to rebuild in the garage in your spare time ready for when everything else if fixed to swap over.