Engine swap - advice or recommendations?

Hi everyone!

I'm finally replacing the tired old non-turbo Nissan diesel engine that someone thought would be wise to put in my 1989 200Tdi. I wanted to do this anyway as it was slow and rubbish, but when it started making scary noises and clattering it hastened my decision!

I now have a 1994 300Tdi winging its way over from the UK. It's a fairly high miler, but drives well and I got it at a good price (budget was a key factor in this)! My intention is to change both the engine and the transmission, including the transfer. I also thought I'd facelift mine to the bigger headlights and newer grille while I'm at it (changing the lights to LHD lights obviously).

I haven't done anything this big before, but I have a friend who doesn't have experience of Land Rovers but can fix pretty much anything that moves, from his Italian sports cars to his own tractors and harvesters and things, and his workshop is just round the corner. Does anyone have any advice for us about this transplant? I'm given to understand the engine and transmission should go in fine, but are there any pitfalls or things to look out for on the way? And is the facelift easy to do or is it more difficult than it seems?

Oh, and mine has a new clutch - can the same clutch be used with the 300Tdi engine?

Thanks for your help! I'll take some pictures and set up an album of how we're getting on

Steve

Doubt if the clutch will work. you'll have to seperate the gearbox from the engine to be certain though. A 300tdi engine will need a new front engine mount welding into place.

I'd recommend that you get a R380 gearbox and matching transmission to make the swap as easy as possible.

Thanks Redhand. What is the R380 gearbox? Is it not the one that is in the same donor car? What about if I take the clutch out of the 300Tdi too? Welding a new mount won't be a problem, and it might have been hacked about already for the Nissan engine so we'll see when we get to it.

200tdi had an Lt77 gearbox 300tdi has an R380. gearbox. for the cost I'd say renew clutch and cam belt. as the hassle of taking engine out again to put a new clutch in 20/30,000 Km later just isn't worth it. Do it now and forget about it. likewise cambelt

Right, thanks for the advice! Any ideas on the facelift prospect?