I'm BACK!
#21
Got to get the truck here first. Yesterday I put new valve cover gaskets in my F350, on the pair, all but 4 bolts where already so loose you could turn them buy hand!!! The gaskets came out in multiple pieces. Was hoping that would solve this oil leak I have in the rear of the engine, but although it should help a great deal, it's still looking like I'm going to have to pull the trans and replace the rear main seal (and the oil pan gasket while I'm at it)... always something.
#23
I've read that thread several times already. My problem is the adapter plate and bushing needed to use the R380. The adapters available I have seen are for mounting the OM617 to the auto tranny. The adapter should be the same, but the fitting of the clutch is where I see the issue. Also, no one offers the adapter anymore that I can find. Rod Davis in VA was working on a kit, but no more info is available since Pirate ticked him off.
I would much rather have a manual behind the engine than the Auto. I want to pick when to shift. Manuals tend to be hardier and much easier to work on in the long run in my opinion. I see plenty of adapters out there for the toyota 5 speed, and also a couple for the ford and chevy crew, plus of course a kit for jeep owners.
I'm thinking mating it to the 5 speed would be much simpler?
#24
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
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I emailed Rod Davis multiple times about the conversion myself. since you reminded me, I'm hit him up again right now... His kit was a full bolt in job, If I recall he was shooting for the 3k mark. One of the issue he was trying to overcome was the shift points of the ZF behind the merc. (which I think he did figure out) plus of course the custom fab of engine mounts, the oil pan etc. Last I heard from him he was setting up a defender, and said it would be some time before he got back to the disco, That was in June of 2011.
I would much rather have a manual behind the engine than the Auto. I want to pick when to shift. Manuals tend to be hardier and much easier to work on in the long run in my opinion. I see plenty of adapters out there for the toyota 5 speed, and also a couple for the ford and chevy crew, plus of course a kit for jeep owners.
I'm thinking mating it to the 5 speed would be much simpler?
I would much rather have a manual behind the engine than the Auto. I want to pick when to shift. Manuals tend to be hardier and much easier to work on in the long run in my opinion. I see plenty of adapters out there for the toyota 5 speed, and also a couple for the ford and chevy crew, plus of course a kit for jeep owners.
I'm thinking mating it to the 5 speed would be much simpler?
#25
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
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#28
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
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Yeah, my only issue is I don't want the Disco down for several months. If I could get the adapter, then prefab the mounts(easy job), and gather the components(flywheel from a OM615 I think) and the correct clutch and fabbed pilot bushing, then the project could be done in a few days to a week. If I have to fab the adapter, it will add a lot more down time as I would need to pull both engines so i could match the OM617 pattern to the R380 pattern.
#30
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
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If I have to fab the adapter, it will add a lot more down time as I would need to pull both engines so i could match the OM617 pattern to the R380 pattern.
Maybe someone can provide you the data? I think there are a few members who have one or the other available....
Maybe someone can provide you the data? I think there are a few members who have one or the other available....
The main reason for minimizing downtime is that the Disco is the family rig. And my wife does not want me to get another vehicle so I can do the conversion. Yup, life sucks, but there's always cookies and milk!