2.5 litre four cylinder VM anyone?

[outdoordan]

First the good news...

Apart from the four injectors and new jets sat on my kitchen table which I still have to get round to rebuilding, the BJ73 is finished. MoT'd and the paperwork went in the post for (the second time) to the DVLA on saturday. Fingers crossed but it should be on the road in a week or two.

Now for the engine... I know the VM comes in for a lot of criticism, but from experience I know they go well if they've been looked after. Thing is, judging by the horrific scale of the bodgery on mine, it hasn't.

Lots of indications that it's been abused... dashboard temp guage sender has been cooked, it had 3 litres too much oil in it when I drained it, the dipstick is not original (too short) and the turbo is whistling ... to name but a few things.

Anyway. I'm looking for another 4 cylinder VM to rebuild over the winter and swap out in the spring.

Can anyone point me in the direction of any scrapped or re-engined spanish or portugese BJ73s?

At a push a 2.5 out of a range rover might do, but I'd rather get one out of a 73 if I can find one. Less to worry about with bell housings, engine mounts and stuff.

Thanks all.

 

[SafariTecPeter]

Hello!

I will allow me to reply!
Before You venture across the meadows of the VM-country any further, please do post Your engine code...
As You say, there is a HUGE variety among the different engines.
IIRC Yours had hydraulic lifters, which is not the case with many others.
My hands on experience lays abt 10-12 years back, so I have to dig out some old memory on this.

Regardless of You choose the 2.4 or later 2.5 from a Range Rover or Jeep, it will not be a straight swap.
Also the Alfa-choice will not leave You all smiling...

REGARDLESS of which way You go, do Yourself a HUGE favour & give my friend George in Chesterfield a call
http://www.vmdieselspecialist.com/
What they do not know about VM Engines is not worth to spend time on

 

[outdoordan]

mines got push rods. i'll dig out some photos. thanks for the info though Peter.

 

[SafariTecPeter]

G`dMorning Dan!

As said, mmemory is packed with alot of sh*t & my info on the VM fitted to a `73 dates at least 10 years back.
I assisted someone one the lookout for VM parts for his Toyo. They did not match my parts from a 2,4/2,5VM that came out of a RRClassic. Again, engine codes would all sort out the guesstimating :*)
Anyways, the guys in Chesterfield where beyond helpfull when I was in on the deep end. I am certain they are still up to speed

 

[Rodger]

A friend down here in Spain has a BJ73 with a VM 5 cyl engine. I sent photos and measurements to the guys in Derby and they were really helpful. Decisions re this 73 have still to be made but I can thoroughly recommend that you start with a conversation with the VM Specialists.

Regards

 

[outdoordan]

Thanks fellas