I've dreamed of putting an OM617 in a Disco for years. I've studied everything on the Internet, tracked down Jarek, bought an OM617, written to Ashcroft, talked to RTE... the whole 9 yards. Last weekend I gave up and bought a 2003 to swap the good stuff into my 4.0/2000 Disco II that I've had since new.

I've talked and corresponded with two people who have made it happen. Jason and Curtis. Jason has had a running rig with OM617 and R380 for months. Curtis decided to put his in a Range Rover. Jason has offered to come to my house and do the swap for me. Unfortunately I have been continuously offended by the price of R380s and confused by the clutch setup, so it hasn't happened.

While under the donor truck last night I got a text from Jason in Tennessee and his motor has gone to the next place. Died. But he offered his truck if I could come get it by tomorrow (Wednesday). My work schedule won't allow it. I'd let him work out his own price but I can tell you that I generally have that much cash in my pocket. And for a complete, running setup that only needs the OM617 that I have kept, pristine, in my garage for years. Ugh.

Anyway, if anyone else is interested in this holy grail please PM me. Wednesday is his cutoff because he is out of town and has to leave.

Disclaimer: this is Jasons's truck and I don't know the details. I have spoken, texted and emailed with him for months and am confident he had the setup running. Speak with him for details. I have nothing to gain here except regret for not being able to drive to Tennessee tomorrow with a car carrier. The price is worth it for the R380 alone, then add the clutch, pedal, bell housing, master and slave cylinders, motor mounts, adapter plate, flywheel, and the rest of the truck. It is a DEAL.

Charlie V

 

Got a little more info.

It is a 95 Disco I so I am in the wrong area.

Homebrew fuel was the issue. Jason makes his own and it apparently had too much water in it. Rusted the metal plates on the cylinders and caused a head gasket failure in the mountains. He lost coolant and the engine is now toast.

The Disco is Mercedes back to the flexplate, then a Ford Fairlane 8.5 inch clutch, then adapter and R380.

 

95 makes way more sense, way easier. How much did he want for it anyways?

Not so sure about "holy grail" but it's certainly nicer than having a V8

 

Maybe not a holy grail... but what I've been wanting to do. 1500

 

He'd driven from California where he lives with all of the fuel for the round trip on a small trailer. Water in the fuel. Eek. He sold the trailer to a pawn shop across the street and the rover is sitting. He is going to take a bus home. Sad ending.

 

Yikes... wouldn't have been that expensive to use regular diesel....

 

Exactly. He's real disappointed.

ZG I know you are Disco guru and you've helped me before. If you have a free minute would you check https://landroverforums.com/forum/discovery-ii-18/4-6-hp24-into-4-0-hp22-74287/ and let me know if you can answer any of the questions that I have there? Especially about the ECU.

 

so this guy is talented enough to rig up all that equipment, and then puts water in his fuel? it's both a tragedy and a head-scratcher...

 

He may have just bit off too many projects he could chew.

 

I think that's it. He's a real good mechanic but he's having a run of bad luck.