Wolf Pack said:

Personally, I stay with the 2.25, but I prefer originality.
I'm sure you could get a 2.25 petrol much cheaper than£2k.
FB Marketplace, one of the online Lightweight groups, or place an ad here in the sales and wanted.
Are you happy doing your own engine work, or are you looking for an engine that's already been reconditioned?

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300bhp/ton said:

I don't really see the appeal of the 2.25p is was outdated when introduced in the SII. And it really wasn't all that many years ago you couldn't give them away.... .I mean not even for £25 for an entire running engine.

If you want the own the vehicle to drive about, you'd be way better off fitting a Rover V8. A known conversion, pretty easy to do. Will likely do better mpg than the 2.25p and give more power, torque and a wonderful soundtrack.

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Flossie said:

Banana engine has an inlet manifold shaped like a bunch of bananas.
For your info. They run on chip oil too I believe.

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bluebossa said:

So, back again... after several years without a Lightweight, I just moved house - got a bigger Garage and won the battle with the trouble and strife to get another Lightweight...

So I bought a T Reg S3 on eBay yesterday - fitted with a Ford Diesel 2.5 Banana? Engine fitted.

While it pulls well and gets it up to 50 - it sounds like a bag of nails, is ear deafening and sluggish...
My previous Lightweight was the traditional 2.25 Petrol - I remember getting it to sit at circa 70 on a long straight motorway run...

So to my question:
View attachment 269355 View attachment 269356

If I was to go Petrol - which Engine would you go too?

Seems like 2.25 Engines are fetching a small fortune today - circa £2k...

Any others that fit straight in and cheaper to attain and bolt up to the standard box?
Thanks in advance... pics attached...

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bluebossa said:

With you - was think a 3.5 might be nice... but you have to sort Brakes and Suspension to cope I think too?

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300bhp/ton said:

Shouldn't need too. People have been putting Rover V8's in Series Land Rover's since at least the 1970s.

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Turboman said:

If you post a picture of the engine from the other side, it might be easier to identify it.

Ford diesels are quite good. I would just stay with that as long as it is running OK. Sound deadening mat or ear plugs for the noise.

2286 petrols are actually available if you avoid the internet, and ask around among old Land Rover people, many of whom are old giffers like me who don't do much on the internet. Old Giffers are commonly found at Classic Shows and Rallies.

We bought a running 2286 petrol for my wife's Series for 50 quid a couple of years ago, it needed a few shells and so on, but no major work, and is still running.

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bluebossa said:

Thanks Turboman - that is also good advice... yep I think prices are off the scale a low mileage Engine from an S3 is going for just under £2k?!!

Got a picture of the other exhaust side of the Engine here it is if it helps... runs and starts fine... so yep "leave alone - do nothing" is the other option!
View attachment 269596

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300bhp/ton said:

Shouldn't need too. People have been putting Rover V8's in Series Land Rover's since at least the 1970s.

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Turboman said:

Maybe a 2.5 4 cylinder out of an 80s Transit?

The plate on top of the rocker box might inform you more?

Going to tag @lynall , see if he can add anything further to that.

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bluebossa said:

Kinda looks more like re-build Data to me?
Unless you are an Engine Guru...

Thanks - 2 Ticks let me get a photo but that would make sense...

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kermit_rr said:

I'd do 3.5 v8 if i was going to change it, get a nice cam in while i was at it. It won't go much faster but will be nice to drive

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lynall said:

I had a s1 with a york diesel, now that was utter carp, I blew it up, so fitted a di in its place, great engines but do make a 200tdi seem quiet!

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