C

carboy0

New Member
Hi newby here, after lurking for a long time, I have finally bought an S3 SWB petrol. It's on the road, but I'm aghast at the fuel economy or lack of it (rose tinted specs maybe) 14 mpg so far.

I can live with the steering wheel muscle workout, but has anyone fuel injected a Series LR engine? I think FI with mapped ignition it should be possible to get into the 20s (mpg).

I built a B series MGB engine with FI and it made a mega improvement of the smoothness, pulling power and economy.

I found this on a Google search, but the details are a bit thin.

http://www.melsteve.plus.com/LandRover/landy_home.html
 
If you've done it on a B Series then you're the man to do it on a series - keep us informed................... Have you considered overdrive, higher diffs etc.? And I assume you've done all the tune ups etc................. Good luck - could be worse - you could have a V8!
 
Yup, I have tuned her up and electronic ignition, new plugs, HT leads and some time with a strobe light on the timing has smoothed things out a little. I think that the carb is sh**ged, but I tweeked it as best I could.

I don't know enough about overdrives and higher ratio diffs, I did think about an LT77 to add a 5th gear, is it possible? What parts can you get from what (later?) models to improve things?
 
Fairly certain LT77 a no go - someone more knowledgeable than I will confirm - O/Drive good if you do lots of miles - £500.00 is the going rate though for good 2nd hand unit....................... diffs might be cheaper. Sort the carb but ultimately it's an old design and MPG is never going to be good........................................ good luck
 
LT77 is possible but it's a bit of a faf. Usually means cutting the seatbox to make room though there's other ways of doing it. Cant remember the details but iirc you can use a Fender rear prop if you change diff drive flange and a custom front prop? Someone will know and correct me no doubt :)

It's not a straight forward drop in and drive though.

O/D is simplest and gives a useful intermediate gear between 3rd and 4th as well as an extra 28% 5th.

Diffs are cheapest or Ashcrofts high ratio transfer box conversion which keeps low range the same and gives the same high range as O/D engaged (though obviously without being able to disengage)
 
carboy0 said:
Hi newby here, after lurking for a long time, I have finally bought an S3 SWB petrol. It's on the road, but I'm aghast at the fuel economy or lack of it (rose tinted specs maybe) 14 mpg so far.

I can live with the steering wheel muscle workout, but has anyone fuel injected a Series LR engine? I think FI with mapped ignition it should be possible to get into the 20s (mpg).

I built a B series MGB engine with FI and it made a mega improvement of the smoothness, pulling power and economy.

Click to expand...


No idea about fuel injection, but if it can be done on an MG no reason it cant on a 2 1/4 petrol. And it might give you a few extra mpg.
But that is a low figure for that engine, and you might do the same by tuning it up a bit as is. Points, plugs, filters, timing, tappets, maybe a Weber carb if yours is very worn, Much less hassle, and might also gain a few mpg!

The other possibility is that you are getting such low mileage because you are not used to driving an old landy. It is no good to expect modern car performance, either top end, or off the lights, just drive it like an old tractor, egg under the throttle pedal, you might get another 5mpg easily.

There are many ways to increase the gearing for more top speed, Fairey Overdrive, Ashcroft High Ratio Tranny box, Disco Axles, bigger tyres, but I wouldnt hold out much hope they will help fuel mileage all that much. Forum search and Google are your friends!
 
I was wondering about LPG for the ambulance because it gets expensive as a daily but I've not looked into it yet.

14mpg is low, even as standard dragging a heavy body I can get 18-20mpg without trying too hard on a tankful......usually only check when a fair run is involved though. A few miles and back is probably well scary :eek:
 
blue beasty said:
I was wondering about LPG for the ambulance because it gets expensive as a daily but I've not looked into it yet.

14mpg is low, even as standard dragging a heavy body I can get 18-20mpg without trying too hard on a tankful......usually only check when a fair run is involved though. A few miles and back is probably well scary :eek:
Click to expand...

I used to get about 22 out of a petrol 88, driven carefully.

Is the ambulance 4 or 6 pot?
 
Turboman said:
I used to get about 22 out of a petrol 88, driven carefully.

Is the ambulance 4 or 6 pot?
Click to expand...

4 pot with an original Zenith carb. A lot are sporting some very iffy copies now because the bodies wear around the throttle pin linkage and there isn't a lot that can be done about it. Webers have a bit of a rep for jet blockages.

A good upgrade is the 2.5 carb but you need the manifold and adapt the downpipe.

I must get round to investigating LPG at some point, it cant be complicated on such a simple injun
 
blue beasty said:
4 pot with an original Zenith carb. A lot are sporting some very iffy copies now because the bodies wear around the throttle pin linkage and there isn't a lot that can be done about it. Webers have a bit of a rep for jet blockages.

A good upgrade is the 2.5 carb but you need the manifold and adapt the downpipe.

I must get round to investigating LPG at some point, it cant be complicated on such a simple injun
Click to expand...

Never had a problem with Webers myself, but I havent bought one for twenty years, so maybe quality has gone downhill. I guess I alwys thought something new without the slop in the pivot pins and so on must be better.

I doubt if it is complicated, my mate has it on his old J**p. One issue is what to do with the gas tank, although you could fit in the back. I assume you would wish to retain petrol as well.
 
Turboman said:
Never had a problem with Webers myself, but I havent bought one for twenty years, so maybe quality has gone downhill. I guess I alwys thought something new without the slop in the pivot pins and so on must be better.

I doubt if it is complicated, my mate has it on his old J**p. One issue is what to do with the gas tank, although you could fit in the back. I assume you would wish to retain petrol as well.
Click to expand...

Yes I'd keep petrol, space isn't really an issue, It only has the under passenger seat tank so there's a choice between under the drivers seat, losing an external cubby box along the wheel arches or the back of the chassis like a standard 109 tank before taking the inside into consideration :)
 
Mine had LPG, just a standard cylinder tank in the rear but it does take up half the load space! Very simple on a single carb engine though.
I used to get over 20 mpg on petrol, about 18 on gas, so 14 does seem kinda low.
 
blue beasty said:
Yes I'd keep petrol, space isn't really an issue, It only has the under passenger seat tank so there's a choice between under the drivers seat, losing an external cubby box along the wheel arches or the back of the chassis like a standard 109 tank before taking the inside into consideration :)
Click to expand...

Yes, tank between the rear chassis legs would give you a very decent range added to the standard petrol tank, and keep a nice factory appearance! :)
 
wattfield said:
Mine had LPG, just a standard cylinder tank in the rear but it does take up half the load space! Very simple on a single carb engine though.
I used to get over 20 mpg on petrol, about 18 on gas, so 14 does seem kinda low.
Click to expand...
Leaden foot is a common disease! ;) And usually, though not always affects the young worst! :D

I get about 18-20 out of my V8 Disco anorl, seen some report getting 10! :eek:
 
wattfield said:
Mine had LPG, just a standard cylinder tank in the rear but it does take up half the load space! Very simple on a single carb engine though.
I used to get over 20 mpg on petrol, about 18 on gas, so 14 does seem kinda low.
Click to expand...

open loop single point I take it?
 
Tire's can make a big difference.I got the best mileage from my series when fitted with 750 size lorry tires but as expected they were rubbish off road.
 
tottot said:
Tire's can make a big difference.I got the best mileage from my series when fitted with 750 size lorry tires but as expected they were rubbish off road.
Click to expand...

That would make sense! Not burning a lot of fuel deforming bloody great lugs on the tyres all the time! And quite a good rolling circumference! :)
 
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