SMASH Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Hi everyone this is my first post to the forum..so i have two series 2a landys one is a 2.6 F head and the other 2.25 diesel and am going to do ONE up. What engine do people think is the better one? i am in Australia and will be using the rig for long distance touring. So the question which one? i prefer the diesel personally even though it is a bit lower on power Cheers Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally V8 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Which ever car is least work,but neither motor - a Holden red motor is the answer ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh NZ Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 2.25 diesel has relatively good economy for what it is, but it's pretty gutless. The 2.6 didn't get to my neck of the woods (NZ) in huge numbers so if it's relatively good nick then in my personal opinion use the 2.6 (but that's just what I like) The Holden red motor is good for no one do not give in to the dark side! Although if you do choose a Holden lump, use the 161 or the 173. 186 and 202s are too big for the vehicle and although you'll accelerate faster, you'll still end up at the same speed on the motorway as a 2.25 petrol landy (55mph) screaming along. Just my personal thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 2.6 unless it needs major works, they're lovely engines, especially if you've got a long way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally V8 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 2.25 diesel has relatively good economy for what it is, but it's pretty gutless. The 2.6 didn't get to my neck of the woods (NZ) in huge numbers so if it's relatively good nick then in my personal opinion use the 2.6 (but that's just what I like) The Holden red motor is good for no one do not give in to the dark side! Although if you do choose a Holden lump, use the 161 or the 173. 186 and 202s are too big for the vehicle and although you'll accelerate faster, you'll still end up at the same speed on the motorway as a 2.25 petrol landy (55mph) screaming along. Just my personal thoughts I was only partly joking when I suggested the Holden - my brother runs one in a 67 IIA out of Perth in WA. With 3.54 diffs and 7.50 tyres it cruises well,is smooth,good on fuel and probably 1/2 the weight of the LR6.He goes on some pretty decent off road camping trips with it. Parts are 50c from Repco too.For him it was an easy choice,and there are plenty parked up on country properties where the owners are happy to part with them for very little as a s/h parts source. And the "Six" badge that came with the original conversion looks cool too. Just be thankful I didnt suggest a Falcon motor ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh NZ Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I am very thankful you didnt suggest a Falcon motor hehe Yes, I know where you're coming from with the Holden motor point of view. It's a hugely common conversion here and combined with 3.54s it's a good answer. We can all agree that a 6 of some description is a good way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMASH Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 Thanks guys yeah not keen for a conversion ahahah the diesel needs more work but the gearbox is good and the 2.6 is a good motor the box needs big work but and i forgot to say they are both 109" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh NZ Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Even more reason to use the 2.6 IMO. They push the wagons along nicely. The 2.25 will drive you up the wall... Well actually it wouldn't even do that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 2.6 but check the dizzy drive quill bronze gear as they wear , and then suddenly fail. as do the fibre gears on the front of holden lumps , unless you rev them a bit too much , so they throw number 3 rod thru side !! (Holdens that is) The real beaut engine for a swap is the chrysler Hemi 245 (out of a valiant), pull like a train and will rev as long as you like , need to change your diffs for best economy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secondjeremy Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Is range going to be a consideration - in which case its advantage diesel as whatever the merits of the 6 cylinder Land Rover engine - economy wasn't one. Apart from the bellhousing the gearboxes are similar. If both vehicles are S3's you should be able to put the 'diesel' bellhousing straight on the front of the 6 cylinder gearbox. (Replace the 3 3rd/4th synchro springs while you're there for reliability - RTC 1956 - cost - minimal) You can do the same job with a 2a box - clutch is a bit more involved. I'm assuming neither is a '1 tonne' - in which case the gearbox is different - transfer box I think) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanuki Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I've always liked the creamy and relaxed power-delivery of the smooth-and-torquey F-head sixes, though I really wonder why Land-Rover never more-widely offered a 3-litre F-head six using the twin-carb Weslake-head engine they were using in the 1960s 'P5' luxury-saloons. [OK, they did produce a few such vehicles for the US market but somehow they held this option back for rest-of-world sales] I also think that LR - since they were part of the 'BMC/British Leyland' menagerie back in the 1960s - could have really driven ahead if they had offered the 4-litre "FB60" IoE engine [175BHP in magisterial silence and and oodles of torque] from the 'Vanden Plas 4-litre R' luxobarge (they already had production-rights to this engine) or, if they had been desperate, the 150BHP twin-carb 3-litre "C"-series lump as used in Austin Westminsters and Healey-3000s of the day. --Tanuki "Badgers are never the answer but always the problem". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally V8 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 One thing that may be worth bearing in mind - talking to my brother recently he mentioned that petrol is often not available in outback areas only diesel,in WA at least - is that the case in the Eastern states ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSF Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Hi Not sure if they are available in the antipodes, but why not go for a 200 Tdi engine from a discovery? The Series diesel is a disaster unless you like being in second gear. The 2.6 is a great engine, or rather was in 1960. It makes a wonderful noise and is almost without vibration, but it drinks fuel like there is no tomorrow; it is not unusual to get down into single figures! The Series 1 in my little pic has a 2.6; it goes to shows on a trailer towed by my 200 di powered 109 to save fuel! The 200 Tdi conversion is not difficult, even easier if you do away with the turbo. The unblown engine has more power and torque than a Series 4 cylinder petrol and should give over 30 miles to the gallon. For more details Google Glencoyne Land Rover and look at his website. I can recomend this engine if you want a road vehicle with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty_wingnut Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I'm not sure disaster is right? I had one that could pull overdrive top happily with a caravan on the back. But it was looked after.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 I'm not sure disaster is right? I had one that could pull overdrive top happily with a caravan on the back. But it was looked after.... I had a couple which were "Cossetted" and were only suitable for towing in O/D top when going downhill !!! even blueprinted one to latest LR specs but wa still a dispointment , replaced it with a 3.8 leyland diesel engine , now that really would pull ! JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally V8 Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 A good one may have been OK,but a 200TDI with or without turbo is worlds better in terms of general usefulness,reliability,fuel consumption and starting - before you even consider performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill van snorkle Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Neither engine is really suitable for Australian conditions. The 2 1/4 Deisel is gutless and slow, and will cost far more in engine and gearbox repairs than what it would save in fuel costs over the 2 1/4 petrol. The 2.6 F head burns oil, exhaust valves and petrol like no other, and is quite gutless for a 160 cu in engine. The 161 cu in Holden engine eats it for breakfast, but they require a different carburator to operate efficiently on steep gradients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh NZ Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I agree with bill, the 161 motor would be my choice if I was the even consider swapping a silly red thing into my landy. A 200di is a nice middle-ground choice if petrol isn't readily available as they are a robust and economical unit. Plus IIRC they bolt straight onto the series mounts if you use the discovery version. I'm not sure what prices discoveries go for in Oz but in NZ they still ask a fair whack for a buggered disco with motor or even a motor by itself, so the conversion isn't common here that I know of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacr2man Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 before you fit a 161 get rid of the rubbish timing gears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill van snorkle Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 before you fit a 161 get rid of the rubbish timing gears The holden engines are over 40 years old now so the fibre camshaft gears have likely all been changes to aluminium by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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