Series 2 is the 2.25 diesel reliable? Should I do a conversion?

mikerajjers · Jan 16, 2018

I've been offered a nice 1968 S2a with a 2.25 diesel in it. It originally had a 2.25 petrol.

I'm contemplating buying it and fitting either a 200tdi or 300tdi engine, but if the existing diesel is reliable I may keep that. What are your thoughts? Is the 2.25 diesel capable of reaching 50mph with relative ease? The car would only be used as a weekend toy in the summer after I do a rebuild as I have a 300tdi and TD5 defender for regular use.

Cheers

mikerajjers · Jan 16, 2018

ciderman · Jan 16, 2018

Oh dear, drive it for a while and then write in with your impressions........

ciderman · Jan 16, 2018

then I will relate occurrences at lode lane in the early eighties.

Citizen Kane · Jan 16, 2018

Looks like a LHD Series 3 not a 2a

Marmaduke · Jan 16, 2018

Series 3 wings, hinges, grill.... If the rest of it is series 3 masquerading as a 2a then I'd do the swap. That said a 200 tdi swap is easy to reverse if needed

Marmaduke · Jan 16, 2018

@mikerajjers where's the speedo and gauges? If they are located behind the steering wheel it's a 3 if they are above the transmission tunnel it's a 2a.
That's if you're bothered obviously...

ciderman · Jan 16, 2018

50mph, bless.

Marmaduke · Jan 16, 2018

ciderman said:
50mph, bless.

I had my 2a up to 60 mph for a good length of the M6

If was on a trailer behind my 300tdi defender at the time

Turboman · Jan 16, 2018

mikerajjers said:
I've been offered a nice 1968 S2a with a 2.25 diesel in it. It originally had a 2.25 petrol.

I'm contemplating buying it and fitting either a 200tdi or 300tdi engine, but if the existing diesel is reliable I may keep that. What are your thoughts? Is the 2.25 diesel capable of reaching 50mph with relative ease? The car would only be used as a weekend toy in the summer after I do a rebuild as I have a 300tdi and TD5 defender for regular use.

Cheers

5 bearing engine in good condition is fine for occasional classic motoring. Not ideal for regular motorway use, or for long distance unless you want to make very regular stops.
Old, tired and abused engines can be very temperamental, gutless and smokey.

In the late eighties I used a LWB Series 3 in goodish nick for full time forestry work, including some motorway use, and towing trailers. The vehicle was reliable, the performance adequate, and we earned lots of money.

Turboman · Jan 16, 2018

mikerajjers said:
View attachment 139250 View attachment 139251

That looks like a Bitsa. Different bits been added by previous owners over the years.
Another thought. If the engine is very worn, and you are only planning low mileages, why not go back to the 2 and 1/4 petrol engine. They have better performance and reliability than the diesels.

mikerajjers · Jan 16, 2018

Marmaduke said:
@mikerajjers where's the speedo and gauges? If they are located behind the steering wheel it's a 3 if they are above the transmission tunnel it's a 2a.
That's if you're bothered obviously...

they are behind the steering wheel! I feel like a total muppet now...I can't believe I didn't take a proper look. I spotted the grille is Series 3 but thought that could just be a replacement. Bloke selling it claimed to be a Land Rover expert and stated its a 2a...clearly not. I haven't seen it in the flesh, just pics that he's emailed.

mikerajjers · Jan 16, 2018

Turboman said:
That looks like a Bitsa. Different bits been added by previous owners over the years.
Another thought. If the engine is very worn, and you are only planning low mileages, why not go back to the 2 and 1/4 petrol engine. They have better performance and reliability than the diesels.

I will probable pass on this vehicle ...its just paperwork I haven't got the time to do over here as the bureaucracy is a nightmare. Just thought I might buy it as a little project to do. He wants 3500 EUR for it delivered, which isn't too bad, but I would rather have a 2.25 petrol (or a V8 stage one, but that's just me wishing...there's no way I will come across one over here)

mikerajjers · Jan 16, 2018

Here are more pics...clearly a S3
I've gone from RRC to P38 to S2a hoping to find a project car but every car i've gone to see has either been a complete wreck or not appealed.

Marmaduke · Jan 16, 2018

There's plenty of them about over here where people have tried to get around the free road fund licence. There was talk of it being cracked down on at one point

nickjaxe · Jan 16, 2018

If you can get a 200 or 300 I think the 200 is a more easy fit then grab it and put it to one side...try the 2.25...if its got a good amount of miles on it it maybe tired.

Not a lot of grunt in them but I did 200.000miles in mine over the years with a rebuild at 100.000mls.

Not a very economical diesel at around 23/25mpg...my 200di give me 40mpg and loads more grunt.

Bobsticle · Jan 17, 2018

My series two and a quater engine will do 100 mph. Unfortunately by the time its gone through the gear box, transfer box, drive shafts and diffs it turns into 50mph. It will go faster but dunt like it. Im not sure putting anything through that drivetrain would make the journey more comfortable.
You may be disappointed unless you renew the lot.

ciderman · Jan 17, 2018

SWB diesel S3 towing 2 tons on M5, I got so slow that an artic not realising how slow I was, was forced to overtake on the hard shoulder.
scary. fitted a ford transit 2.5di, no turbo but a really nice vehicle now-

rob1miles · Jan 17, 2018

My S2A Lwb complete with camper gear (roof, roof rack etc) with the 3.3L Perkins will cruise at 55-60 in overdrive with RR diffs and 235/85 tyres. Its claimed 63 hp (19bhp/ltr, wow!) so I think they used large horses in the 60s. Last week on a cold morning on the level I let it run up to 69 over about 5 miles, once is enough. Engine was fine but me nerves were not, I was looking so far ahead and that pay in the steering that's annoying at 30 is scary at 60+.. Hills are the big challenge and really show the low power to weight ratio, the M4 at Swindon drags me down to 45-50 by the top so I try to get a good lead on any trucks before the hill starts. Got very pee'd off with truck driver last trip. I passed him on the level he then spent the whole of the hill alongside and just got in front before the top then I passed him again as soon as it was level, why? (Aside - there's a you tube post about 10 lowest bhp/ltr cars and it doesn't go down to 19hp/ltr)

Turboman · Jan 17, 2018

rob1miles said:
My S2A Lwb complete with camper gear (roof, roof rack etc) with the 3.3L Perkins will cruise at 55-60 in overdrive with RR diffs and 235/85 tyres. Its claimed 63 hp (19bhp/ltr, wow!) so I think they used large horses in the 60s. Last week on a cold morning on the level I let it run up to 69 over about 5 miles, once is enough. Engine was fine but me nerves were not, I was looking so far ahead and that pay in the steering that's annoying at 30 is scary at 60+.. Hills are the big challenge and really show the low power to weight ratio, the M4 at Swindon drags me down to 45-50 by the top so I try to get a good lead on any trucks before the hill starts. Got very pee'd off with truck driver last trip. I passed him on the level he then spent the whole of the hill alongside and just got in front before the top then I passed him again as soon as it was level, why? (Aside - there's a you tube post about 10 lowest bhp/ltr cars and it doesn't go down to 19hp/ltr)

4/203 Perkins is a very good engine in a Series. Mine had Ashcroft High Ratio transfer box instead of the overdrive.

The reason the Perks have lots of power is not so much the 63 Brown Hairy Ponies, it is the massive torque, about 150 ft/lbs from memory. That is similar to a carburetted Rover 3.5 V8.

Series 2 is the 2.25 diesel reliable? Should I do a conversion?

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