fitting a 200TDi inot a 1981 Range Rover

Hello!

having read in many articles both on the web and magazines, the 200Tdi engine is definatly the way to go when changing a thirsty V8 to diesel...

Before I take on this task on my 1981 RRc V8, I've got a few questions which I cannot find answers to:

1) What sort of money should I expect to pay for a 200Tdi engine?

2) is there, either on the web, or been published in a mag, any detailed instructions on changing a V8 to a diesel?

3) I understand the engine mounts need to be moved. are there any other parts that need to be altered to get it to fit, or any parts that also need, and if so where to get them from, ie, exhaust, etc...

4) will I need to change the fuel tank? my RRc is one of the old carb models with just a single line coming out of the tank - no fuel return.

5) Electrics. Is there going to be a load of wiring to do or is it only the basics?

Any other help would be greatly appreciated!


ta'

Matt

> having read in many articles both on the web and magazines, the 200Tdi
> engine is definatly the way to go when changing a thirsty V8 to
> diesel...
>
There is another way..........

> Before I take on this task on my 1981 RRc V8, I've got a few questions
> which I cannot find answers to:
>
> 1) What sort of money should I expect to pay for a 200Tdi engine?
>
Far more than a decent LPG conversion would cost! (The LPG being easier to
fit, and giving far better performance, and far cheaper to run)

> 2) is there, either on the web, or been published in a mag, any
> detailed instructions on changing a V8 to a diesel?
>
> 3) I understand the engine mounts need to be moved. are there any other
> parts that need to be altered to get it to fit, or any parts that also
> need, and if so where to get them from, ie, exhaust, etc...
>
Standard 200tdi disco exhasut etc bits should fit.

> 4) will I need to change the fuel tank? my RRc is one of the old carb
> models with just a single line coming out of the tank - no fuel return.
>
You will need to plumb a return to the tank.

>
> 5) Electrics. Is there going to be a load of wiring to do or is it only
> the basics?
>
Very basic, the alternator, starter and telemetry will be basicaly the same
wiring, you may need to adjust the length of the wires to fit.
Most of the ignition wiring can be dumped, just keeping an ignition live
feed to go to the solenoid on the pump.
If you wish to wire the glowplugs up, you can keep it simple by putting a
pushbutton on the dash to operate a high current relay to work the plugs, or
get a proper glowplug relay from whatever vehicle you extract the engine
from, and copy the wiring from that.

> Any other help would be greatly appreciated!
>
LPG, you know you want to!

<snip>
Unless you have either a very dead V8 or a very cheap Tdi (or a source of
cheap fuel...) i'de go for an LPG conversion every time... either conversion
is fairly straight forwards anyway..

Giles

minimodz <[email protected]> writes:

> having read in many articles both on the web and magazines, the 200Tdi
> engine is definatly the way to go when changing a thirsty V8 to
> diesel...

As the owner of a Range Rover which has been converted to a TDi,
I probably wouldn't look for another one. I'd go for an LPG conversion.

> 1) What sort of money should I expect to pay for a 200Tdi engine?

Last time I looked, which was about a year ago, I couldn't find anything
at all for less than 850, and anything decent was over a grand. Ended
up rebuilding mine with new crankshaft and shells.

> 3) I understand the engine mounts need to be moved. are there any other
> parts that need to be altered to get it to fit, or any parts that also
> need, and if so where to get them from, ie, exhaust, etc...

Mine was 'professionally' converted ( think that just means the bodges were
covered up). The RR engine bay seems to be shorter: the engine sits
closer to the radiator so the hoses are shorter and the cowling has
been cut down. This is no big deal . There isn't room to fit a Kenlowe
fan unless you saw the end off the water pump pulley. If you
have an automatic transmission, the standard pipes to the oil
cooler are too long and will need to be shortened. The exhaust
will need to be modified: mine has the standard V8 exhaust apart
from the front pipe, which is a 200TDi one with an extra 4 inches
of tube and a 2 bolt flange fitted instead of the standard 3 bolt.

None of this is major stuff. Not sure if the engine mounts were
changed.

The other thing to bear in mind is that it is getting increasingly
difficult to get insurance on modified vehicles, especially if they
have not been modified professionally.

> 4) will I need to change the fuel tank? my RRc is one of the old carb
> models with just a single line coming out of the tank - no fuel return.

You'll need a return line. My advice is to put in a new tank, an
LPG one!

Pete

--
____________________________________________________________________
Pete Young [email protected] Remove .dot to reply
"Just another crouton, floating on the bouillabaisse of life"

In message <[email protected]>, SimonJ <[email protected]>
writes

>Very basic, the alternator, starter and telemetry will be basicaly the same
>wiring, you may need to adjust the length of the wires to fit.
>Most of the ignition wiring can be dumped, just keeping an ignition live
>feed to go to the solenoid on the pump.
>If you wish to wire the glowplugs up, you can keep it simple by putting a
>pushbutton on the dash to operate a high current relay to work the plugs, or
>get a proper glowplug relay from whatever vehicle you extract the engine
>from, and copy the wiring from that.
>
>> Any other help would be greatly appreciated!
>>
>LPG, you know you want to!

Gearbox and transfer box as the ratios will be different also I think
the diff ratio's will be out as well? prop shafts? as well!


--
Regards
Graham Jones

"minimodz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> having read in many articles both on the web and magazines, the 200Tdi
> engine is definatly the way to go when changing a thirsty V8 to
> diesel...
>
><snip>

Just to balance some of the other views expressed here, I used to run a
V8 Range Rover with lpg, and now have a 200tdi-converted one, with ZF
auto box. I would be very reluctant to go back to lpg - I far prefer
the diesel. It's just so much less fuss - with lpg there was always
that slight unease about it dying on you when the engine was cold, then
"flooding", so you had to go through a performance of spinning it over
with the gas turned off; plus the worry of keeping the entire ignition
system in tip-top condition, and dealing with all the other fragilities
of that over-rated V8 lump.

Worst of all was the performance of re-filling: finding a station that
sold gas, and had a working pump; queuing for ever because the one pump
was blocked by someone doing their weekly shop; fighting with the pump
nozzle; and then having to repeat the whole performance 100 miles later,
because the thing drinks lpg like there's no tomorrow (11 mpg), and you
either lose the entire luggage space or (as I did) put up with 72 litres
nominal, 57 litres actual, tank capacity.

Now - I can shop around for the cheapest diesel, fill up when I'm
passing, not as a special journey or diversion, and listen to that
lovely effortless diesel rumbling away for the next 500 miles, knowing
that if I do run short, there'll always be fuel within a few miles.

And with the ZF 'box, it tows so effortlessly. I know everyone says the
Torqueflite box is a strong one, but I found it a complete pain for
towing.

I paid less for the entire vehicle than the previous owner of my
previous one had paid for his lpg kit.

I'd need to be very sure of the condition of a 1981 car before spending
so much money and effort on it - there's something to be said for
finding one already converted, or even a factory tdi or a Disco. Watch
out for bodges!


--
Kevin Poole
**Use current month and year to reply (e.g. [email protected])***
Car Transport by Tiltbed Trailer - based near Derby

This engine might be worth a look too - equivalent power and torque to a
TD5, but from a mechanical engine - no ECU. It's strongly based on the LR
Tdi and is made by the company that now makes Tdis for Landrover. Ford also
use it for their Ranger pickup in South America.

http://www.forward-specialties.co.nz/engine.htm

It's been reviewed in LRO. They have a long term test in progress and so far
it looks really good.

Tim Adlam