Options?

[rbbailey]

OK, so I love my Series, but I'm afraid the new engine may now be dying. Two engines in 6 months.

So this brings up the issue, the question.... what should I do next? I want to be able to actually go places in this truck, so 60 mph on slight hwy hills is a must. Should I stick with stock and an overdrive? Chevy in line 6? 200Tdi? Mercedes Diesel? Other?

Have you done any of these options? How has it worked over time? Are you still happy?

I DO NOT want to change the outward appearance of the truck. And I don't want a hot rod. But I do want to drive it.

[badvibes]

2 engines in 6 months? Something more would seem to be an issue. I have a British Pacific long block, 8:1 head, Rochester carb, no overdrive and 60 mph isn't a problem. Granted I've only put @ 12K miles on it in 10 years but what you're describing doesn't seem like it should eat up 2 engines in 6 months. Anything else you can think of that might be a factor? Oversize tires? Gear changes? Anything?

[o2batsea]

What do you mean by dying?

[SafeAirOne]

What do you mean by dying?

I was wondering the same thing. EVERY engine is dying, starting the moment after it is first run, till it takes it's last breath 25 years later.

[rbbailey]

Well, there is a deep knock and growl that has developed when under load. Losing power. Only happens when driving. Good oil pressure. Good, even compression. Recently rebuilt trans. No metal at all in oil. No smoke. No lifter/valve ticking. Good looking spark plugs. Timing dialed in just right.

One way or another I'm thinking of options. Right now am leaning towards a 5 cylinder merc Tdi. I think tht means I can keep the rover transmission?

[SafeAirOne]

Are you sure your issue is engine-related and not somewhere else in the powertrain or braking system?

[rbbailey]

No, I'm not sure at all, other than time and again it "MUST BE" coming from the engine. And it comes and goes directly when say going up a hill at 45 mph, slows to 40 in 4th gear (too high for 3rd, a bit low for 4th) that's when the knock comes. When I crest the hill and bring my foot off the gas just slightly, it goes away.

I'm formulating a plan: Figure out what is going on with this noise, and get an overdrive, while collecting the bits and parts needed to do the conversion to the Mercedes Tdi. I think I said 5-cylinder before, but really, the 4 is probably a better option. A tiny bit more power, much better gas mileage, fits under the bonnet, known for reliability, more available parts than old Rover engines, and I could continue to use the Rover transmission with the overdrive.

This is the type of thing I've always wanted to do, but have not had the money to really pull it off. I think I can make it happen now. I love the idea of using a veg oil blend and getting away from petrol. 200Tdi is an option, but the engine itself is much more difficult to get, and about 2x the expense.

But, this is only what I think I know, looking for more knowledge.

[SafeAirOne]

Presuming that your fuel/air mixture is correct, I might re-examine your ignition timing, especially if you did it in accordance with the book and NOT real-world conditions, since real-world conditions are what count. Folks with distributors report perfect ignition timing that is VERY different than the specifications listed in the book, with regard to crankshaft angle.

I've done away with any form of electric ignition system on my rover, but there are probably tons of folks here who could tell you the non-book method they've successfully used to time their own ignition systems.

In the end, I suspect it'll be a matter of experimentation till you get it "dialed in."

[o2batsea]

Changing over to diesel, either Rover Tdi or MB OM617, is a huge investment. Probably closer to ten grand than five all in.

[rbbailey]

Yeah, that's really the only reason I have not pulled the trigger on it yet. If I can do the math and make it work out to.... $5k, I'll do it. Knowing it will go higher. But I doubt I can make that happen.

Other options for getting just a bit more power, maybe a petrol option? I've heard of Chevy i6's going in, but I'm not sure if that would work for an 88", maybe a 109" NAS that used to have a 6 in it.

[bobzinak]

If your issue is related to timing, the 2.5 timing chains have been known to stretch over time, altering the correct cam timing. according to my original owners manual, you set inital timing with the static method of setting timing with a 12v. lamp connected to the points wire input an rotate the distributor till the light just comes on. The owners manual also state that you can adjust timing by turing the "octane selector" which is the small wheel opposite the vacuum advance unit on the older dstributors. a long hash mark on the vacuum body where it goes into the distributor is where it should be set as a starting point. adjust octane selector until you rover starts to ping under hard load (4th gear) and then back off untill it no longer pings. Another method is to hook a vacuum gauge to the inlet maifold and look at the vacuum level on the gauge, advance timing until the vacuum gauge no longer rises and set timing back 1 pound. look up setting timing with a vacuum gauge on the web. Sites like MGGURU are a wealth of information, also mossmotors has excellent information on timing issues. two engines? not good hope this helps, best of luck...owning an old land rover is not just a mode of transportation, for many of us it is also a hobby..Bobzinak. rove-on brothers!!!

[martindktm]

Probably just enging knock.... Have you tried running premium gaz to see if it makes any differences?

For a conversion as other told its time consuming....and can be costly but can be done on a butget... I know that well because I fitted a Toyota 3b diesel with the 5 speed toyota gearbox and T-case on my series 3.

[o2batsea]

On such a fresh engine there shouldn't be any rod knock. Since we can't hear it or test drive it to help diagnose the problem, all we can do is take SWAGs.
How old is the gas? Was it ethanol enhanced? Clattering and no power on hills is a case of timing. Suggest that you get a fresh tank in there if you haven't already and be sure that you are on the compression stroke when you are setting the static timing.
All I can say is get it as close as you can. Take it out on a hill where you can drive up without a ton of cars piling up behind you, and take several test passes. On each note how the engine behaves. Then on each successive pass, turn the diz a degree or so until the noise goes away.

[SafeAirOne]

Was it ethanol enhanced?

Ha!


en·hance

verb

past tense: enhanced; past participle: enhanced

intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
"his refusal does nothing to enhance his reputation"

synonyms: increase, add to, intensify, heighten, magnify, amplify, inflate, strengthen, build up, supplement, augment, boost, raise, lift, elevate, exalt;

[rbbailey]

Of course it is E10, it is virtually a death penalty sin around here to NOT have E10.... I've been able to get clear premium, but I had to sign too many papers in red ink to do it.......

Besides, aren't these engines made to run on spit and cow piss?

The engine isn't new, it was simply pulled from a 109 when the owner decided they wanted a conversion. It was tested in the same way you would test an engine when buying used car -- compression, oil, pressure, water, etc.... etc..... It was running well.

I had the timing done by a professional once I got it all up and running. He knows what he is doing, but I'll mention it.

I think it is a bearing. Like the last engine I pulled in December. I got this engine because it came from a reputable source for $600. But it was something of a gamble, it happens, it's a used engine.

Anyway, I think it is a bearing. I'm going to try to get the time to pull the pan and check. Anyway. The only reason I'm actually upset about it (other than just the time I've put into it, and the bad luck) is the fact that I've been working on this thing for three years with my deadline being June 1st, it's my 40th birthday, and I had a trip planned in the old truck with my son -- would have been the first real trip I've been able to take in it since buying the thing 10 years ago!! It has never been good enough to attempt something, this was going to be it. I even had it up and running far enough ahead of time that I could really put some miles on it and test it all out.