Engine brackets: 2.5 petrol to a 200 Tdi Defender

Hi,
Having a few issues swopping a 2.5 petrol from a 90 (the 17H engine) for a 200 Tdi from a Defender (the block is of Disco origin - the 12L - but the turbo IS mounted on the top) into a standard Series 3 chassis.
The engine brackets seem to be the wrong length. I tried using the ones from the old 2.5 petrol engine but the driver's side bracket is too short and won't fit thanks to the fuel injector pump. I can't use the bracket on this side from the 200 Tdi as it's too long to fit the mount on the Series 3 chassis.
Prefer not to butcher the chassis as it's galvanised. Do I make engine mount to fit, or is there one from another engine that'll do the job?
All experiences/suggestions welcome.
Mad (very mad!) Cow. :mil88:

disco block is the same as a defender and series mounting wise, the original series ones should fit iirc

MadCow said:

Hi,
Having a few issues swopping a 2.5 petrol from a 90 (the 17H engine) for a 200 Tdi from a Defender (the block is of Disco origin - the 12L - but the turbo IS mounted on the top) into a standard Series 3 chassis.
The engine brackets seem to be the wrong length. I tried using the ones from the old 2.5 petrol engine but the driver's side bracket is too short and won't fit thanks to the fuel injector pump. I can't use the bracket on this side from the 200 Tdi as it's too long to fit the mount on the Series 3 chassis.
Prefer not to butcher the chassis as it's galvanised. Do I make engine mount to fit, or is there one from another engine that'll do the job?
All experiences/suggestions welcome.
Mad (very mad!) Cow. :mil88:

Click to expand...

think you need to use a nearside series on the offside, have a look

I've often wondered about this set up as (only what I've read) the disco block means you get to keep the original mounts on the series and the defender turbo saves a lot of hassle with the exhaust and boost hoses so seems like the perfect set up, I bet it would transform the series though,

Thanks Landowner.
Will take a peek tomorrow. Not an option yet considered (measured). Everywhere I read about this swop being a straightforward job - only NOT on my Series! I know the block on the 200 Disco is exactly the same dimensions as the Defender's, and the chassis is definitely standard S3 with no alterations.
Will cut out old battery platform so I can get precise measurements for bracket. Looks like a home made one will have to do, unless the nearside one fits.
Thanks again for the suggestion.
Mad Cow

Edward - will let you know how fab it is once it's back on the road!
It's my only vehicle, so hope this won't be too long, although I've a mate's car (literally - a Ka) at my disposal for the moment.
The exhaust downpipe needs to be made/altered, or you can get one from Steve Parker. I got the whole system off him and it's really well made so may last 5 yrs or so.
If you're ever going to do this swop, there's lots of info around these boards. Having kept the S3 gearbox (I also prefer to keep my middle seat - the LT77 won't allow for this) I've got a couple of 3.54 diffs off an early Disco to gear it up a bit.
Looking forward to getting around 30mpg! My old engine ran mostly on LPG but at under 10mpg it was time to do something. Mind you, even with a knackered carb, the 2.5 petrol engine was giving over 14 miles to the gallon on petrol. With the right carb (twin choke webber) it'd probably be good for 16-18mpg. Not bad for an engine that could be around 25 yrs old.
Mad Cow
aka Rose!

Have you used the rear mounting holes on the tdi block? I used series mounts on my disco engine with no issues

i've fitted three 200tdi disco engines into 4 pot Series chassis' so far, 2 into swb and 1 into a 109

all 3 have been fitted in using the standard Series mounts without any problem

actually it's 4 in total as i had to swap the 109 engine due to a serious death rattle appearing after i had a major oil leak

Hi,
Well several more days at the garage and 2 phone calls to Landy traders (incl Steve Parker) - with the end result "make a bracket to fit as it WILL NOT fit into the Series"! This was news to me as all I've heard is that this is a straight swop.
As it is I've got a useful welder who's agreed to sort out the off-side engine bracket for me. May well post details here of dimensions as Steve Parker doesn't (yet) make one - despite my call being the 3rd one in 2 weeks for exactly the same reason.
So - if anyone else has this problem - please call Steve Parker Conversions as it might persuade him to start making the necessary bracket and save some of us a lot of faffing about!
Aren't electric hacksaws wonderful. Another 'stocking filler' for my next Christmas list for Santa! Shifted the battery platform in no time and will help sort out the radiator frame too.
Cheers.
Rose

edwardcraney2012 said:

I've often wondered about this set up as (only what I've read) the disco block means you get to keep the original mounts on the series and the defender turbo saves a lot of hassle with the exhaust and boost hoses so seems like the perfect set up, I bet it would transform the series though,

Click to expand...

disco block is identical to defender

hmm just re-read this thread...

it appears the vehicle is a Series 3

the engine that is coming out is a 2.5 petrol from a 90 (removing it from the S3)

and finally the engine that is being fitted is a 200tdi from a Defender

now this particular engine IS different from the disco 200tdi in the timing case shape, this difference "lowers" the injector pump and puts it in the way of the offside engine mount, this necessitates either welding a new mount to the chassis rail or possibly fabricating a convoluted one to bolt to the engine block

i'm pretty certain the defender 200tdi's have been fitted in Series chassis' but not seen any myself so can't elaborate on the required mods

personally i think i'd swap the timing chest for a disco one and then the engine would drop in without chopping or welding to the chassis, you'll need the timing chest complete (probably with all the disco bolts to fit), a new timing belt kit and injector pipes, that "should" pretty much cover all you need to convert it to disco spec's

there's plenty of dead disco 200tdi engines about so finding the parts won't be hard, i've most of them and could possibly be persuaded to part with them

oh and you CAN use an LT77 in a Series complete with the LT230 i know someone (or two) that own Series with the conversion

Thanks NiteMare.
Absoutely right - the fuel injector pump is in the way of the engine mounting bracket. And yes, the option with the Disco has been considered (& may still be the choice), unless we can fabricate a mounting bracket to suit c/o my handy 'welder' mate. Will keep you posted on progress.
Rose