Budget project 66 109, hybrid or not

[Danster]

Trying to gain some momentum with my project 1966 109 3door.
I purchased it for very little, it had been disassembled the gas engine is torn down the transmission was left assembled except the parking brake.

My original plan was to put a drivetrain in it from a 4runner or landcruiser or similar but have recently been thinking about either assembling the old engine (no idea if all the parts are there) or trying to find another rover engine diesel preferred.

My goal with the truck is to make a daily driver out of it, that is drivable on the highway lets say about 100kmh tops and get reasonable fuel milage.

At this point I have replaced the rear crossmember cleaned and painted the frame with POR15 the axles are loosely bolted on with new hardware. The box is sitting on the frame the bulkhead needs some footwell repairs, axles will need the brakes gone through etc if used.

How well does it work with a diesel and overdrive gutless or usable? and will it maintain 100kmh

This is a project on a tight budget so no 200tdi swaps suggestions I am an aircraft mechanic so not nervous about turning a wrench.

Wisdom anyone?

[Dave_F]

When I had my 109, I ran a rover gas 2.25l engine and when not to loaded down I could hold around 100-110kmh, but it's happy place was around 90ish kms.

Having not any experience with the diesel 2.25, I would be more inclined to look for a standard 2.5 non turbo diesel. This engine was used exclusively by the British Military and are good reliable lumps and probably a wee more powerful than the 2.25 diesel.

[Danster]

Thanks
So did you have a overdrive? I would think so as I could only make about 90kmh in my old 88 2A gas no overdrive.
There is a disassembled 2.5na diesel for sale on this board still not to sure if it will bolt up to a series gearbox.

[Dave_F]

No overdrive. The engine was the latter 5 bearing.

[island dormy]

Hi Dan

I think I have maybe met you at the Comox British Filberg car show? Anyway my stock 2.25 petrol 1962 109 Dormobile loaded with camping gear, stock diffs , stock transmision ( No overdrive ) and 7.50x16 tires will criuse nicely at 90kph it will accelerate to 105kph fairly easily and will go on to top out at 110kph- 4000Rpm. (with a long enough flat stretch.) However 90kph-3250Rpm. is a nice speed, and it will return about 20-22mpg at this speed.

All overdrive does is lower the noise level so you can talk with out yelling at each other. It will not raise the top speed of the rover at all, 80 HP. only goes so far. However it will give you another gear in between 3rd and 4th on the highway which would be nice on long hills. When we do our Island drives I can usually pass the 2.25 diesels, 2.5 diesels and 2.5 turbo diesels so given the higher price of diesel right now I think I would stick with a petrol engine. Thats just my opinion I like all land rovers.

Good luck on your rebuild.
Victor 1962 Dormobile

[Danster]

Thanks
My memory or possibly my old rover was not in the best shape so I was under the impression it was less than comfortable doing 90kmh but this is good news

[swamijake]

My series one will do 100km/h comfortably. It has 4.7 diffs, fairey overdrive and 7.5-16 tires. Engine rev is too high without the od, but I have the IOE engine which doesn't like high revs. Slows way down on any hills or head wind. 55 raging hp!

The 2.25 petrol will be good so long as you aren't in a hurry. I really recommend the electronic points swap. There is a pertronix kit or simonbbc. It doesn't work any better than new properly set points, but you set it once and forget it is there.

There are plenty of 2.25 parts available and it is an easy engine to rebuild if yours is really bagged.

[Danster]

I have yet to be in one with an overdrive but you make it sound like it could be a solution just have to see if I have all of the parts to assemble the engine.
Could you let me know what an IOE engine is? I will probably feel stupid when I find out I came up with installed original engine.

[island dormy]

Hi Dan

I wish I had a overdrive, the differance in the noise level is incredable. No more bleeding ears after a long highway drive. I think they drop the revs by about 25%.
I know you are a long way from putting your rover back together and this is getting a little off topic but when you get ready to re-install the seat base and trans tunnel and floors think seriously about sound proofing. I have driven mine with out front floor boards after rebuilding the transmission and the noise coming up is horrible. Anything you can do to cut noise down goes a long way to make driving at 100kph more bearable.

Good luck Victor 1962 Dormobile

[Danster]

Yah I agree noise reduction can go a long ways to creature comfort.

I might try to gather all of the engine bits that came with it and see how complete it is, to see if it would be better to try to find another engine.

Anyone know if there Is there much difference in fuel milage between the rover gas and diesel 2.25?

[island dormy]

Hi Dan

I think I have found the correct engine for your proposed 100Kph cruise speed. Check out this youtube video of a great 1963 land rover.



Victor 1962 Dormobile

[Danster]

Thanks
I like the comment " This 4 minute video brought to you by $67.22 worth of gas haha! "

[island dormy]

Hi Dan

I have a video very much like that one (except for the lack of forward momentum) of Five series rovers and Defenders going down to Victoria over the Malahat to the Old English Car Clubs September show and shine at Fort Rod Hill. Land rover was the feature brand that year and we got to be in the centre circle which was a real place of honour for some not to clean and shiny Land Rovers. Most of the Rovers were from Victoria but five of us came down from Duncan.

I remember the slow but steady progress up the steepest part of The Malahat (it looks about the same as the hill in the video). The road sign going the other way states. Long Steep Hill Trucks Gear Down 7% grade. Just before the crest of this long steep single lane section the road grade gets a little steeper. I believe Rob with his 130 Defender Dump Box conversion was leading the convoy of five rovers. The first three rovers were diesels and the smoke screen was very impressive by now. I had already shut down the two dual air conditioning units and was reaching down to turn the headlights on for safety and noticed we were down to 35 MPH. I could not see much out of the rear view mirrors either as the grill of the loaded logging truck behind me was obscuring my rearward vision. He kept swerving back and forth like he was just waiting to tear past us. Or maybe he wanted to keep the heat up in the tires like the F-1 cars do when they are behind the pace car. Anyway we made it to the show but it sure would have been nice to have had a little more power.

Victor 1962 Dormobile (Dont forget about our groups drive this coming Saturday Dec. 28th)

[RobTheGob]

He doesn't say what he's done to the brakes if the SIIa - but he obviously has a lot more confidence in his than I ever did in mine!!

[island dormy]

Hi

I am sure the brakes are fine, after all Land Rover invented anti lock brakes.
( He is also going up hill that will help slow you down).

Victor 1962 Dormobile

[RobTheGob]

( He is also going up hill that will help slow you down).

As would slamming into the back of the car he was tailgating!

[Danster]

Still trying to come up with a good solution
I was looking a a landcruiser Diesel 3B with 5 speed and transfer case from the same vehicle it would work and it will fit in but after seeing where the shifter comes out the floor I have decided against it.(search 3B series landrover) and read the comments there is a link to some pictures.
So current plan is to use the rover transmission with an engine, undecided powering it and possibly and overdrive.
2.25gas(not sure if I have all the parts)
2.25 diesel
2.5 diesel (does it bolt up to the series bell housing?)
mercedes 4cy diesel? (are adaptors available? sounds like it but from where and at what cost)
toyota 22RE or 3RZ gas 4cyl (adapted?undocumented)
Toyota 3B diesel (undocumented adaptor?)

[sailourboy]

Hi Dan

In case you have not visited TeriAnn's excellent web site, you may find some useful info on conversions:

http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/

Cheers
Ted

[BOlson]

check out the video series on youtube from Riverport Rovers

installing a 4.3 V6 in a 109.......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA-XPHqhkk0

[Danster]

Thanks I have looked at Treiann's site lots and also have watched all 22 of the Riverport rover videos.
Still haven't committed to anything.
Found the Mercedes OM617 to series adaptor kit at a cost of $3199us(wow)

Cost and ease if installation would send me to
Land rover 2.25 gas, diesel or possibly a 2.5na diesel.