New guy with 90 and a decision to make

Hello all, this is my first post

I've had a few Discovery's over the years but always wanted a Defender. Tonight I made an impulse buy and purchased a 1986 ex army 90.

I don't know much about cars in general, never mind a specific type so I've got a few questions.. hope that's OK

The 90 has a 2.5d non turbo engine, it runs well. I think the clutch is on the way out though as it rattles when depressed. The guy chucked in a 200TDI engine which he was planning to put in but never did.. but I also have a 1998 discovery 300tdi with what feels like a decent engine and box etc in it.

So, I'm not sure whether to just leave it as it is.. chance the 200tdi or go for the 300tdi with box etc (I also have no idea about all of this so I'm not sure if different boxes would be needed)

Hope you guys can help..

This is the 90:

Looks a shed, so did my 90 when I got it- buy only bearmach or if you buy britpart make sure it has G suffix in part number.

Fix the basic bits and go from there quick t cut and polish and it will be grand

fanatic said:

Looks a shed, so did my 90 when I got it- buy only bearmach or if you buy britpart make sure it has G suffix in part number.

Fix the basic bits and go from there quick t cut and polish and it will be grand

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yeah, she needs some loving. Any thoughts on the engine situation?

200 will be a lot easier, plonk that in if you want to. you can always fit the 300 later if you really want

welcome

Personally I'd check the mechanicals and repair or replace worn parts then worry about the engine

fanatic said:

Personally I'd check the mechanicals and repair or replace worn parts then worry about the engine

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i'd be buying some t-cut

And a small pea of g3 compound with t cut

t-cut? respray you mean lol

LandZilla said:

t-cut? respray you mean lol

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If you intend laning with it a tcut will be fine

This is mine a 1988 2.5td fitted with a defender 200tdi crackin engine these so too are the 300tdi's but are a bit harder to fit as you mess about with the engine mounts and chassis to make them fit but the 200tdi should drop straight in as they use the same engine mounts

these are from when I first got it in February this year

And these are as the 90 is now

If you go for the 300tdi you will have the R380 gearbox which is superior to the LT77, but there are complications around fitting Discovery gearboxes to Defenders.

Have a search of the forum, there are hundreds of threads relating to engine transplants using 200Tdi and 300Tdi engines and also to installing Discovery gearboxes and engines.

200tdi is a piece of **** to drop in. Fits on origianl mounts all you have to do is change a few holes on the bellhousing. Can even use the original loom.

300 is abit trickier, you either have to weld a new mount on the chassis, or do what I did and make a mount that bolts to both original mountings, the rest is preety simple though

I did my first 200 swap at 17 so it cant be that bad

Wow, hope I can get mine looking like that.

I have no idea about this, will the current gearbox go onto the 200tdi too? my worry is I know nothing about this 200tdi lump.. knowing my luck I'll get it put in and it wont start :scratching_chin:

The current engine that's in here feels very good, do people still buy these engines or is it just scrap?

You have to make an exhaust for 200tdi conversion too or just buy the steve parker kit. 300 you can reuse alot of exhaust parts.

The 200 fits on your standard gearbox preety sure from memory the 300 can fit preety easily too