Should I buy this 110 hardtop 2.5 T/D? (Pics, link)

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Well I've never fitted an engine before, but I'd be up for giving it a go!

1. If someone else can do it, so can I - it can't be rocket science (and from my understanding, even rocket science isn't that hard),

2. It will be a good learning experience and could prove very useful if there were a breakdown on an overland trip, to have that knowledge and understanding,

3. It'd be a laugh if nothing else.

Guess I'd need to hire an engine lift, but everything else I should have or can buy, tool wise! Still be less than £2k... :)
 
do what im doing, buy a written off/mot fail disco (that way you can hear the engine running) about 500 quid there, then the exhaust and cooler kit is 200, done! everything else you need is on the disco. just get a new clutch while your there. iv never done an engine before but im giving it a go.

but as i say, no rush cos the td is serving me perfectly well!
 
I'd never done an engine swap before I changed my TD to a 200tdi. I did it on my own over a few days after reading the excellent threads on here. The only thing I wasn't sure about before I started was the cutting and welding of the radiator brackets as I'd never welded before - but as it turned out even that wasn't difficult.
 
mikev8se said:
ok, thanks guys. How much do i need to budget for a 200tdi engine swap? I've never swapped an engine before, but if it is relartively straightforward i'd be happy to give it a go - everyone needs to start somewhere!

Also, have done an mot check online and this came up at one point - what does it mean? 110 4c???

Change of details

make/model:
Land rover / 110 4c reg dt diesel recorded at time of test on 08/08/2007
Click to expand...
4 c is 4 cylinder
 
As for cost - I didn't buy a complete donor Disco, but I did get "everything under the bonnet", for around £350 if I recall correctly. That meant that as well as the complete engine, I got all the various hoses and pipes, wiring loom, etc. as you need bits and pieces to get all the ancilliary systems connected.
 
i converted mine from 2.5NA to 200 tdi on my own when i was 17 so you should be able to 350 egnine all all parts with hoses rad ect took 5 days to complete i just used the old loom off the na straight onto the 200tdi works fine and made the coolant and air pipes aswell as the exhaust myself although i do have a pretty large workshop so wasnt too hard. could quite easilly be done for £500
 
If i was to do mine again i'd take more time, i was restricted to 3 days due to pre-booked ferry. I know lots of folk can do it quicker but it was also first time i'd attempted it even though the bloke that did most of it was very competent and we changed gearbox at same time.

We hit a few probs that slowed us up too. I'd really have liked to tidy up all the wiring and clean/protect/paint the engine bay...but we ran out of time.

If you have access to another motor for a while its worth doing everything you can whilst the engine is out, saves a lot of hassle ..8 months later and while i'm really happy with the engine and gearbox I still have some issues with the 30 year old wiring that could have been easier sorted back then.
 
Hmm I will be restricted to a weekend, might be able to get fri and mon off but I'm hoping I won't have to.

Storm, did those wiring issues come about because of the engine change? Or were they arround before you did it?
 
No, they were there before, old brittle wiring...and a few bodges..are you doing it alone? 2 days will be tight i'd say...a lot depends on the condition of the stuff you're throwing in...as said we did the engine plus gearbox and new clutch. If its just the engine you may be ok...but generally as with most jobs on a landy, guess how long you think it should take, then double it!!
 
Noo, me and a mate. I recon itl be a squeeze, but as long as it runs and. Can drive to work I can tidy it up after. I don't suppose the gearbox would have taken that long the would it?

Really need to save for a disco now!
 
MikeV8SE said:
OK, I have been looking for a suitable vehicle to replace my Range Rover Classic V8, the brief being something more economical (diesel!), reliable, and capable of greenlaning here in the UK as well as trips offroad across the Pyrenees and down to Morocco, and a spot of light towing.

I have found this car, which I also have first refusal on subject to viewing: Land Rover : Land Rover 110 T/D Hardtop

It is a civilian car - was originally white all over, outside was sprayed green and the side lockers fitted at the same time I believe, but either way it is not an ex-MOD car.

Photo's I have been emailed of the chassis look good, but I will check it over very carefully, as with the bulkhead. Apparently the footwells were repaired by the current owner when he bought it 5 years ago. Anything in particular to check?

One thing that does concern me is the engine - it is the earlier 2.5TD engine, which I understand has a habit of exploding. Apparently most of the old MOT's are there to prove the mileage, but it has no service history and has been maintained by the current owner for the last 5 years. It has covered 133,000 miles (assuming it is the original engine) - is this OK? I know later 200/300 Tdi's will happily cover 250k+ but can the same be said for these earlier engines?

It's not a *lot* of money I know, but equally it could be if I am buying into a load of expensive repairs. Is it worth a punt at the advertised price given its age/mileage/condition?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I bought this at the weekend, she's seen better days there's no doubt but for what I paid I really can't grumble.

For those interested I believe she's an ex-water company vehicle, hence the vented cubby holes that I believe were originally designed to carry petrol cans for motorised equipment.

She has a heavy duty chassis and tow bar (which both appear to be in reasonable shape), suspension lift and modular rims with huge BFG's.

The downside is the terrible 2.5td she currently has which is nothing short of wrecked (sounds like it runs on 3 most of the time and smokes like a chimney), however I have a 200 tdi lump lined up for her which should arrive on a palet any time soon.

She won't win any beauty contests but as I'll be using her as a working vehicle, I'm not too fussed. Currently toying with an orange vinyl wrap with black roof and wheels though, just so I can have her in company colours!
 
Dicky A said:
I bought this at the weekend, she's seen better days there's no doubt but for what I paid I really can't grumble.

For those interested I believe she's an ex-water company vehicle, hence the vented cubby holes that I believe were originally designed to carry petrol cans for motorised equipment.

She has a heavy duty chassis and tow bar (which both appear to be in reasonable shape), suspension lift and modular rims with huge BFG's.

The downside is the terrible 2.5td she currently has which is nothing short of wrecked (sounds like it runs on 3 most of the time and smokes like a chimney), however I have a 200 tdi lump lined up for her which should arrive on a palet any time soon.

She won't win any beauty contests but as I'll be using her as a working vehicle, I'm not too fussed. Currently toying with an orange vinyl wrap with black roof and wheels though, just so I can have her in company colours!
Click to expand...

Hi Dicky,

Glad to hear it sold! Also glad I didn't buy it - my biggest concern was the engine, but the seller assured me it was OK - so for you to say it isn't is a relief for me, as I hadn't budgeted an engine conversion quite so soon!

Do you mind me asking how much you paid in the end?

Have fun with it!

Mike
 
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing specifically 'wrong' with it in the respect that it starts and drives, it's just a worn engine. This week alone I've towed a couple of trailers, had a tonne of bricks in the back and ripped a tree root out with it, all without a problem.

There is a bit of pressure on the crank breather and it spits a lot of oil - I suspect the bores are worn but after 24 years and 134k miles, it's hardly surprising. It's just a typical old clattery 19J engine!

I paid £2,300 which was the cheapest 110 hard top I could find with the modular wheels etc. Even with a £350 engine I still think I got a good deal as the 200 tdi lump will only improve its value. :)
 
if body and chassis are in good shape i think you have done well as you say engine can be changed later ,but where do you start if both are poor
 
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