Hi everyone,

A friend in France has a Defender 110. He saw a local mechanic who he knows and trusts after the engine felt ropey. He was told that his head gasket has gone and it is not worth repairing as the engine block itself is warped. The engine block is now removed and he is trying to source a replacement. He can't find a Landy specialist in France but has been told of 2 in the UK (PA Blanchard and Simmonites). The ideal plan would be to find someone in France who is reputable and known to the forum for a replacement engine. This seems unlikely so the plan is then for me to buy the engine in the UK and we then get it over to France for his mechanic to fit,

My questions are:
1. Does anyone know of the existence of a Land Rover Specialist in France who is reputable and sells reconditioned engines?
2. Is there anywhere in particular in the UK that you'd suggest? / Does anyone have positive or negative experience of reconditioned engines from PA Blanchard or Simmonites?

The model details I have are:

Defender 110
1986 - Military Land Rover model
Engine: 2.5 litre, 4 cylinder, non-turbo, NA L/R Diesel
VIN: SALLDHAC8BA254***
Originally a UK registered vehicle until my friend imported it to France
Engine is a non-turbo engine made by BMC; apparently one of the first engines used. The later engines, he has been told, were made by Perkins and have a turbo.
He must refit it with the same type of engine (BMC type) for French MOT purposes, so not interested in another type engine which would fitI'd be very grateful for any advice/suggestions. Thanks

 

Me, l'd consider up grading to a 200tdi. Much better engine and a easy swap. Bolts right in (if using LT77), you just change radiator and add inner cooler, some inner cooler hoses, air filter housing and a few other bits...and it will feel like a rocket, in comparison to that 2.5 NA.

Try Turner Engineering in Britian, believe they sell complete engines...and the rest can be sourced easily from UK.