Portals are almost done, pics will follow, :flipoff2: just trying to sort out the steering link and pitman arm, then it's finish the brakes and vacuum lockers. Next step is powerplant. Despite all the valid reasons not to do it, I would like to go with a 200 TDI bolted up to my SIII box. When the first box goes, I'll re-think. :shaking:

So, is there any place to get a full - with bits - Defender 200 TDI in the States/Canada or does it need getting from the UK? If available over here, where? Is there an import problem with it being less than 21 years old?

Good luck. the Defender versions are hard enought to find in the UK. The Series guys eat them up.

This is why most people di the 300TDI, not because it is better, just easier to get ahold of.

No idea on availability, but I have seen a few conversions using a disco 200Tdi into a 90/110/series, and it fits, it is just a VERY tight squeeze between the exhaust and the firewall - even with a custom turbo dump pipe (if you use the standard dump pipe you need to remove part of the footwell). I don't know why you couldn't spin the turbo around though so the exhaust faces forward, then either spin the dump pipe so it faces down (or make a new one).

Just thought I would add that to increase your engine options.

But why not a 300Tdi - from what I have heard they can be adapted without too much hassle.

Ben,

Thanks. The reason for the 200 TDI is my foolish decision to bolt it up to my Series gearbox. The 200 is a straight bolt up - even uses the 2.25 engine mounts, whereas the 300 has a different bolt pattern. Not a deal-breaker on the 300 but still a major consideration. Turner and ACR, among others do stripped reman 200s but I need all the ancillaries as well which starts adding up.

Yes the 200 will bolt straight up but you will need to modify the right chassis leg any way, as the main disb pump will hit. If you go with a disco 200 then i belive a couple of studs must come out, but the mounts might match up as the pump is higher but then you have the turbo problem. A 300 will also bolt up by having some studs removed as with the disco 200, but i can assure you your gearbox will be short lived with any of those engines! (been there done that)

Ideally the right engine setup for a 200 to drop straight in is to use a disco 200 with a defender manifolds to relocate the turbo to the top. If the landy is LHD then expect more headaches as clearance is tight on the left side footwell, Ahhh and finally you will also have a plumbing nightmare if you keep the inset front, locating the rad and intercooler are a bit of a PITA to fit.

On the whole its do-able and great fun to drive especially in 2wd on slippery roads or at the lights :D

Grem

Yes the 200 will bolt straight up but you will need to modify the right chassis leg any way, as the main disb pump will hit. If you go with a disco 200 then i belive a couple of studs must come out, but the mounts might match up as the pump is higher but then you have the turbo problem.

Are you sure about this??? I was sure the pump on a disco and a defender 200 Tdi are both in the same place. And I thought that all you have to do on a series is relocate the battery or raise it about 4".

RPR - do ashcroft still make the series T-case to R380 adaptor? If so that would be a good option.

Have you contacted Wise Owl?

As far as I know, Ashcrofts used to do an LT77 - Series T-box which would have made it all easier though they stopped it some years ago now. I'm not aware that they were ever doing an R380 - Series transfer? Having said that, ECR do one - but you can't just buy the adapter and they are somewhat pricey to say the least....

I have not contacted Wise Owl. I understood that Ray was selling the Wise Owl business and hanging onto RM? I don't know how that has panned out. I'll give it a shot - thanks for the idea.

Cheers,

Are you sure about this??? I was sure the pump on a disco and a defender 200 Tdi are both in the same place. And I thought that all you have to do on a series is relocate the battery or raise it about 4".

Very sure, the 2 engines have different front timing belt housings with different water pumps and pully setups. The disco 200 has the higher pump to clear the steering box as the engine sits further foward then on a defender.

The battery will be better relocated then left in the engine bay, 4 inches up and the battery will have to be pretty small to fit. Mine went to the rear bed as there was no way it would fit in the engine bay, plus i could keep a large battery.

Lt77 to a series box, i had made an adaptor myself (with the help of a local engineer) not so simple to mate and yes it might prove more expensive then you first plan. Mine went well for 4 years then started failing at the output splines just like the factory ones! lack of lube was the major cause, plus little spline engagement. That has since then been shelved (due to too many failures) and a full time 4wd box and transfercase installed, complete with cross drilled gear. Its the most reliable setup i have out of all the gearboxes i had. r380 with a short bellhousing would be a nice upgrade for me, but it seems these boxes are pretty rare also!

I guess being in the US you might have more options available for engine and gearbox combos then sticking to the rover stuff.

Grem

As far as I know, Ashcrofts used to do an LT77 - Series T-box which would have made it all easier though they stopped it some years ago now. I'm not aware that they were ever doing an R380 - Series transfer?

AFAIK the LT77 and R380 have the same bolt pattern at the back - I'm sure the adaptor worked for either.

That is a shame if it isn't made anymore.

Ray Wood did sell Wise Owl, he is concentrating on R&D.
WO probably wont have an engine but will know if anyone up in BC is selling one.
Another thought is to check the Rover Landers club wed site. They are a BC based Rover club. Think its roverlanders.org. They have a forum for vehicle and parts sales.

Thanks. Checked the wise owl site - obviously no TDI's but I will get in touch with them. Found the roverlanders.bc.ca site and while there aren't any TDIs on there I will keep on eye out as there is clearly some movement on the board. I found a reman outfit in Canada but it's only long blocks and they aren't really any cheaper than the UK.

britrest.com can help you if anyone can.

As an alternative have you thought of using a 2.8TGV lump? Some of the guys here are replacing their 2 and 300TDi's with these and they come as a complete bolt in kit with all the trimmings?

Trev

www.LR4x4.com

As an alternative have you thought of using a 2.8TGV lump? Some of the guys here are replacing their 2 and 300TDi's with these and they come as a complete bolt in kit with all the trimmings?


I thought that the 200 and 300tdi had different bell housing bolt patterns?

The 2.8 is a direct fit for the 300, but didn't think it was for the 200 and thus wouldn't fit directly to the series transmission.

Pete

The 300TDI has two extra bolts that the 200TDI does not have. These are left out if you are bolting to an LT77 or a series tramsmission. The HS2.8 will also bolt up to an LT77 or series box but apparently has interfernce problems when mated to the shorter LT77 bellhousing (versus the R380).

You can bolt a 200tdi flywheel housing onto a 300tdi block if you want it to fit to the LT77 really nicely.

I know Dixon at www.rock-island-rovers.com had 1 or 2 200TDI's in the spring. He was planning on rebuilding them.

Depending on how much you want to spend I have one sitting in my garage.

I found the best source was ebay uk but you need someone to collect it and arrange shipping for you.

Britrest do full used with ancillaries for USD 7200. I reckon I can get one from the breakers in the UK for USD 4,500 add USD 1,500 for a rebuild (it's always more than you think) and still get it into the States for under USD 7,000. It's just a shag getting somebody in the family to do the pick-up and shuttling in the UK.... :shaking:

The 300TDI has two extra bolts that the 200TDI does not have. These are left out if you are bolting to an LT77 or a series tramsmission. The HS2.8 will also bolt up to an LT77 or series box but apparently has interfernce problems when mated to the shorter LT77 bellhousing (versus the R380).

Now that is a great little bit of info to tuck away for future use.
The guy up in Canada with the 2.8s sometimes comes here and posts. he was selling the engines on ebay for 4500 I believe.

Pete

<edit>
I did a quick search and found his ebay store
http://stores.ebay.com/Old-British-Wheels-Canada-LTD_W0QQssPageNameZviQ3asibQ3astoreviewQQtZkm
5200 is the buy now price, but still better then the 7k for a 200tdi

May or may not be of much use, but 200tdi defender engines seem to be around 1500USD in ireland with disco ones coming in at around 1200USD

Shipping would be a bitch though.

Alternatively cheap wrecked discos come up all the time.

I just bought an 89 200tdi disco for around 300USD , replaced the starter and she started first time, now the body is beat to hell, the back door tied closed, the electrics have a mind of their own and the tcase linkage is borked, but she starts and runs fine.

I hope to pull the engine tomorrow and offer it up to the series box maybe sunday. I'll try to remember to take pics.

Turbo downpipe is an issue on the disco 200tdi but a bit of stainless and a friend with a tig should see something being sorted there.

If someone knows someone in shipping who could work up a quote then maybe ireland might be cheaper?


Or.......

Build your own TD5

http://www.dovebid.com/Auctions/AuctionDetail.asp?AuctionID=10132

RPR - pics please :)

Sorry to thread hijack here, but I pulled both engines today.

offered the disco 200tdi to the series box, they'll mate, and I don't think the turbo downpipe is that bad a problem.

Much bigger issue is the fact that the turbo is sitting on top of the chassis rail.

I'll post pics monday cos I left the camera cable at work

RPR I can get you one and organise shipping.

Nick - you've got mail!

Pete - great find on that 2.8 powerstroke - the bidding is still pretty low. If it didn't mean a lot of re-engineering....

I would like to post photos of the portal conversion but I have them all on flash macrmedia player and I can't link to them or download and save the photos!!!! Anyone with technical knowledge on how to do?

RPR - send me/post the swf file and i'll get you the pics.