This is my new 1969 Series IIA. I'm considering some modifications, but don't want to hurt it's value. It has the 4 cyl diesel motor, which I would like to upgrade to a gas motor (it smokes like an old tractor). and I'd like to add some back seats, a soft-top, and paint it green.

Anyone with more expertise on these things have any good suggestions on a motor swap? I don't want to adversely effect it's value.

1969 Used Land Rover Series IIA Utility at Legacy Auto Center Serving Garden City, KS, IID 7818993

http://www.legacyautocenter.net/detail-1969-land_rover-series_iia-utility-used-7818993.html[/URL]

 

IMHO rework of diesel would provide more reliable vehicle, even in trail conditions. Operatings costs lower. Easier to repair because manuals match, you are not having to deal with engine computer to sensor issues.

Can it be done? Yes.

Can you fix what you have and have something that most forum members would be impressed by? Yes.

You won't have commanding performance on steep hills, but you'll make up the time by not stopping at the gas pump so often. RAVE link below has manuals on some of these older units as well.

 

This truck is going to sit at a fishing cabin in Colorado. It doesn't have to go fast, but I'd like to be able to get somewhere at 60 or 65mph safely if needed instead of it's current top speed of 45mph. The other issue is the smoke. Didn't these old diesels always smoke like a freight train? Can that be fixed?

 

Diesel excessive smoke can be fixed. Now that you mention mountains, V-8 sounds better, but you may still want to do more research. The small diesel is not going to go up mountains at 60 mph without a head start.

 

there are overdive unit for those, i believe the manufacture was Fairy. That should help you get closer to a 55mph speed. You can find them on Craigs list I've seen 2 or 3 for sale in the north east, not a lot of money.

 

thanks for the info. Has anyone out there done the swap? what were the results?

 

The smoke may be something as simple as timing. In fact, if you paid 13k for it, it really should be no more than timing, and maybe fresh fuel.
But an 88 with a diesel in good nick plus over drive should be ok. A 200Tdi would be a great conversion for it however.

As for petrol conversion, the easiest would be a 2.25 or 2.5 Rover 4cyl. That would give you 65 on the road, a bit more with OD.

 

I know a guy with a '65 with the 2.5l petrol and the overdrive, his top speed is 62, that is foot to the floor flat road no head wind.
If you swap to the petrol and you want to keep the value of the truck you need to keep the diesel engine, even if you just store it in a shed.

 

Interesting. I used to do 65 all the time with no OD. I did have a Rochester carb and Weber 2bbl (on different Rovers). But they were both 2.25L engines.

 

I would like to do a motor swap, keep the engine bay unaltered, and the original 2.25L in the shed. I found some more info online that said the 200tdi will drop in without much work. Anyone know where I can find one?
I like to shift gears so I want to keep it a manual transmission. One with an overdrive gear would be nice.