1978 series 3 88in 2.25 diesel,slow,35 mph

OZAWOZA · Nov 13, 2012

For what it's worth... I run a bog standard 2.25 diesel on 7.50 tyres and have an overdrive fitted which seems to work really well and I live on the Mendips. Extra gearing from the tyres and overdrive work really well on the flat and gentle slopes... first gear really only for overcomming the inertia to pull away on flat or hills and overdrive in 3rd gear just gives that extra bit of poke when climbing longer hills where 4th or 4th plus overdrive starts to fade.

Admittedly I have had the fuel pump reconditioned which made a massive difference, but will quite happily zip along at 55 -60 without screaming it's nads off, but to be honest if it's speed you want then you're sort of missing out on the joys of an S3.

Having said that 30-35 is very low...even for a Series 3 in what I would say was poor standard format? I know the Overdrive takes about 5Mph off the speedo, and not sure what the 7.50 tyres take off on top of that as well, but still think 50mph in standard set up would be about normal without thrashing it.

If you're going to spend £300 on it I would get the fuel pump and timing set up professionally, then not only will you get better performance (never thought I would use that word in relation to a diesel S3) but you will improve fuel economy (slightly) and probably reliability too?

tom1disco.300 · Nov 14, 2012

yea iv had the injectors callibrated and all set up and its had a new set of plug the parralel set and the pump was leaking so i had the front appart,but it hasnt been reconed,and the timing chain yes will be done at some point,but the engine has had a full rebuild as it used to burn oil,becuase one of the scrape rings were missing,but it runs fine,obviosly tight when cold,but once she warms up shes quite pockey,just 4th gear is abit powerless,witch yea its a landrover,and ino it aint gonna be fast!! but just dont wanna be screaming it to even try and keep up with traffic!!and when you talk about mpg i get around 30-35 mpg out of mine, sound high but,its true!!

i think ill probably put the rrc diff in the front and invest in an over drive,i have driven a petrol and there is quite a difference ino!! and in mpg aswell!!!!!!

but thanks for the replys!!

NiteMare · Nov 14, 2012

i very much doubt it will pull the overdrive with rrc diffs as well, i doubt your engine has sufficient power, when my 109 indicates 35mph it's true speed is almost 50mph this is with rrc diffs and 7.50 tyres, no the engine isn't screaming it'll pull well past 70mph but i do have a 200tdi fitted (i now need to fit my overdrive as i DO have the power)

tom1disco.300 · Nov 14, 2012

well maby iv got a low ratio transfer box then thats realy all it could be,becuase the engine is fine,you can feel it when you drive it,its the gearing,not the engine,and the rrc diffs are okay but has anyone had the speedo calibrated,bacuse i dont think you can do that with a series vichle! and the 2.25 diesel's arent all that bad,people compare them to the petrol ,well yes it will be better its petrol,but you dont see 30-35 to the gallon do you,and yes the tdi is a bloody good reliable lump and would love one in my 88 but im 18 and on the first year,and cant realy afford a 200tdi on my insurance,although it was only 915 pound for the first year,so not bad but will still kill next years!

but thanks for the imput!

richbatch · Nov 15, 2012

is there a place that will fit me a 200tdi and set it up ,supply and fit would like to know the cost so i can start saving

NiteMare · Nov 15, 2012

maybe you should check to be sure which gearbox/transfer box you have before considering a 200tdi transplant

an overdrive will not fit the low ratio gearbox that came from a 1 ton, the rear cover plate is different to a normal Series gearbox from what i understand (i've not owned a low ratio box myself so may be mistaken) along with differences in the mainshaft

so i personally would start with making sure you know what you DO have before planning on changing the engine

blue beasty · Nov 16, 2012

NiteMare said:
maybe you should check to be sure which gearbox/transfer box you have before considering a 200tdi transplant

an overdrive will not fit the low ratio gearbox that came from a 1 ton, the rear cover plate is different to a normal Series gearbox from what i understand (i've not owned a low ratio box myself so may be mistaken) along with differences in the mainshaft

so i personally would start with making sure you know what you DO have before planning on changing the engine

rear cover plate on a 1 ton box isn't concave like a standard series box.

Bell-housing won't fit 200tdi fly-wheel housing

NiteMare · Nov 16, 2012

blue beasty said:
rear cover plate on a 1 ton box isn't concave like a standard series box.

Bell-housing won't fit 200tdi fly-wheel housing

but is the bell housing likely or capable to have been changed from the sixpot to a four pot one ??

if as richbatch suggests he has a low ratio box then it suggests someone may have swapped bellhousings, i'm not sure if the transfer box could be swapped onto a standard gearbox (could it ?? )

maybe he should get a set of 9.00x16 wheels and tyres

blue beasty · Nov 16, 2012

NiteMare said:
but is the bell housing likely or capable to have been changed from the sixpot to a four pot one ??

if as richbatch suggests he has a low ratio box then it suggests someone may have swapped bellhousings, i'm not sure if the transfer box could be swapped onto a standard gearbox (could it ?? )

maybe he should get a set of 9.00x16 wheels and tyres

Having read the whole thread I'm now slightly more confused

2 1/4 injun will have a stanSpedard box.......6 pot one won't fit without jumping through so many hoops there's no point.....BUT even if tis a 6 pot box there is only a difference in gearing in low ratio anyway ( I could be wrong...it's always a possibility

but don't think so)

IF gearing was the issue why the 'gap' in power between 3rd and 4th? Whatever o/d would help this issue at least.

A true speedo reading....or crapnav reading would help.

Only other thing I'd question is are the diffs what they are alledged to be?

Wouldn't mind some 9.00x16's myself but they're not common.....very little mud options anyway

dominicbeesley · Nov 16, 2012

Something still sounds wrong to me....but might be worth having a wade through this lot Land Rover gear ratios

I'd find out why your motor is running so badly before throwing money at it....you should be able to get it up to 65mph without overdrives or RRC diffs. Until you can do that upgrading will just be a step in the dark.

When I got my petrol it had RRC diffs and I took them off as it was rubbish on the hills round here. I spent a lot of time on the engine, including a ported head and hi-torque cam and I've now put them back on as well as a Roverdrive. It runs lovely but only cos the engine is tip-top. When doing 70 the engine thinks it is doing 40 and the speedo thinks 50...

I'd not have the RRC diffs without an overdrive however. You need the split gear in 3rd a lot on hills, this gets you back to what was 4th, 2OD is like what was 3rd (roughly)

D

richbatch · Nov 16, 2012

its not me with the low ratio gearbox i would just like to about a price for a 200tdi conversion sorry for any confusion

richbatch · Nov 16, 2012

will put daughters sat nav in that does tell you wot speed your travelling at and will check it against my speedo

tom1disco.300 · Nov 17, 2012

yea well i have a guy i know thats works on the old landys and he has a couple of good standard transfers that are in good working order,so i might just slip one of them in and see what difference it makes! ino its alot of work,but with out putting effort in on these motors ,you never get anywhere with them so,its got to be sorted,its getting abit silly now,if i dont sort it ma engine will probably snap a cam,or throw a rod,coz there ranound for that kind of this,oh and pistons cracking! but i recon thats what the probolem is,its had a low range(one ton)transfer put in it!

thanks for the replys everyone!

johnny curt 1 · Nov 18, 2012

verry interested in this thread as i have pretty much the same **** with mine struggle to get anything over 40 according to the clock but feels and seems more like 30 or is it just me

please please let us know how you get on with the transfer box change and if theres any improvement as im considering either a new tranny or an overdrive if i can find one cheap enough tested or untested

richbatch · Nov 18, 2012

yes mine gets to forty and just seems to need another gear ,have you sorted your tick over yet johnny

johnny curt 1 · Nov 18, 2012

richbatch said:
yes mine gets to forty and just seems to need another gear ,have you sorted your tick over yet johnny

done it MOTed it passed and been trundling round the estate with it collecting timber /bricks/logs and all sorts of other things this weekend

an unusual one ive been asked to do is go and collect a mobility scooter thingemabob with the trailer take it to a neighbour then build a shipping crate to send it to ireland as they cant get them for love nor money over there

trax · Nov 18, 2012

Can they not mail order?

johnny curt 1 · Nov 18, 2012

trax said:
Can they not mail order?

naah it was bought 2nd hand fairly local and for the distance time and effort its not worth paying a courrier the £250 nicca they want just for the packing charge so ive weighed up itll cost about £50 for me to collect the fukker and build a crate for it then the neighbour in question owes me a good favour such as plenny of MOT welding work being sent my way

another little job ive been asked to do is remove a semi industrial coal fired boiler out of a greenhouse down the way from us

tom1disco.300 · Nov 18, 2012

noo they feel fast,well mine does to me ,but unless there are any changes to the diffs,or the box(s) then the speedo should b about right,unless the cable is fooked,or the speedos buggered,but ud have to have no sence of speed to think your doing 30mph when ur not, but i think i may just take the diff out again,and buy a high range kit,and when i have the time,just put it on,and see what its like,you dont know unless you try ay! iv been told they are bloody exelant!!

richbatch · Nov 19, 2012

i got asked to pick up a motorbike and put in the back tub at a angle .luckily i borrowed a bike trailer from the garage next door

1978 series 3 88in 2.25 diesel,slow,35 mph

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