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80 Series Engine Conversion Query

JLBOZ

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Joined
May 9, 2017
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australia
Hi Guys,

I am thinking of updating my current '97 4.5 Petrol engine with a manual gearbox to perhaps a 4.2 Diesel engine. What do I need to update for a smooth transition? Eg; diff; gearbox or adaptor plate; engine mounts; wiring loom etc. Appreciate all your suggestions that will allow me to budget for & to be aware of any hidden traps etc.

Much appreciate your assistance

Johnny
From Sunny Queensland Australia
 
That's a expensive job I'm no expert only rebuilding my 1-hdt motor but makes sense to sell your petrol and buy the diesel one instead.
 
I think Dervis speaks good sense here. Diff ratios are different as are gearbox. Wiring will be different, all sorts. Start looking for a good 24valve (or 12valve) diesel 80. Put your petrol one away in a very big plastic bag in a barn somewhere and when the loonies succeed in banning all diesel cars you can ride high in your petrol 80 again with a big grin on your face.
 
Really this level of conversion would need a donor vehicle.

After that, it's a massive time consuming job, but it can be done and done well.

Reshelling a mechanically sound diesel with a clean low mileage petrol would be simpler?

Just buy a diesel if you want one
 
I see this thread has stagnated somewhat but will throw in my 10 cents. Converting petrol to diesel is waaay easier than the other way around. I am guessing the gearbox bellhousing may be different and perhaps getting a gearbox with engine would solve a lot of the issues that 'may' arise, I say 'may' because manufacturers often swap clutches and so forth, actual gear ratios may be ok but more suited to the way a petrol develops it's power.

Wiring very easy indeed, the only complication I see is the rev counter feed may be different so a possible binacle swap? Fuel connections are easy the tank pump removed and replaced with a simple pick up pipe, perhaps just remove the pump and refit pick up pipe? There is already a flow and return for the petrol version similar to the diesel.

The only thing I am not sure about is weight of the diesel engine versus the petrol, diesels tend to be much heavier, so a pair of front springs from the diesel may be needed?

True I may be a bit more adventurous than the next but, having fitted a Rover V8 into an Escort MK1 back in the 70's, working inside a typical council garage with minimal tools, I am sure with access to the Internet and parts suppliers such as @karl webster it would be no big deal.

Have to agree with prepping the petrol engine if it's good and storing away.

Regards

Dave
 
I see this thread has stagnated somewhat but will throw in my 10 cents. Converting petrol to diesel is waaay easier than the other way around. I am guessing the gearbox bellhousing may be different and perhaps getting a gearbox with engine would solve a lot of the issues that 'may' arise, I say 'may' because manufacturers often swap clutches and so forth, actual gear ratios may be ok but more suited to the way a petrol develops it's power.

Wiring very easy indeed, the only complication I see is the rev counter feed may be different so a possible binacle swap? Fuel connections are easy the tank pump removed and replaced with a simple pick up pipe, perhaps just remove the pump and refit pick up pipe? There is already a flow and return for the petrol version similar to the diesel.

The only thing I am not sure about is weight of the diesel engine versus the petrol, diesels tend to be much heavier, so a pair of front springs from the diesel may be needed?

True I may be a bit more adventurous than the next but, having fitted a Rover V8 into an Escort MK1 back in the 70's, working inside a typical council garage with minimal tools, I am sure with access to the Internet and parts suppliers such as @karl webster it would be no big deal.

Have to agree with prepping the petrol engine if it's good and storing away.

Regards

Dave

Converting to a diesel from a petrol is easier than it sounds it might be. Diff ratios will be the same if the original trans is kept. if the manual petrol gear ratios are differemt the diesel engines torque will overcome this. Rev counter will work the same. As both engines are large lumps I guess there will be little difference in the springs but if there is I'd think there is an abundance of front s/h or new ones. I don't know if you have the 24volt starting system there or the 12v type but that is as problem easily overcome.
All this would be more complex if you were swapping from an auto but as they are both manuals most of everything will work the same.
All you might need is a few trips to a local breakers to see how things are installed.
I'm guessing that your truck is in good shape and rust free.

As I read Johnny's post his petrol version is a manual trans.
 
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Hi Guys,

Thanks for your input. With a tight budget in mind; I am now considering upgrading my 80 Series by stages with help from friends etc and to increase power in the form of a turbocharger. What do you think?

JLBOZ
 
whats your budget??
I'd just sit tight on what you've got, no upgrades, just have fun.. thrash it even (keeping in mind you might wanna sell it for extra cash) then buy a diesel.
if you go down the conversion road (which I'd personally like to do if I had the time and money) you'd best buy another car to drive around whilst the 80 is in the shed.
 
IMG_0003.JPG
Hi Guys,

I am thinking of updating my current '97 4.5 Petrol engine with a manual gearbox to perhaps a 4.2 Diesel engine. What do I need to update for a smooth transition? Eg; diff; gearbox or adaptor plate; engine mounts; wiring loom etc. Appreciate all your suggestions that will allow me to budget for & to be aware of any hidden traps etc.

Much appreciate your assistance

Johnny
From Sunny Queensland Australia

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all your input. Now decided to self-upgrade current petrol engine plus gearbox and any other parts to minimised cost as it is my toy used only for 4 x 4 trips etc. I have attached photo for your viewing. This upgrade will commence on our return from our extensive trip from Brisbane to Cape; across to Darwin & down the central Queensland back to Brisbane.
Cheer
IMG_0001.JPG
 
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Thanks for the photos Johnny, I can now see why you want to keep your truck but not your engine. That's a fine lookin' truck you've got there. :thumbup:

Good luck with the conversion, seems it's more straightforward than I imagined.
 
Hi Guys,

I am thinking of updating my current '97 4.5 Petrol engine with a manual gearbox to perhaps a 4.2 Diesel engine. What do I need to update for a smooth transition? Eg; diff; gearbox or adaptor plate; engine mounts; wiring loom etc. Appreciate all your suggestions that will allow me to budget for & to be aware of any hidden traps etc.

Much appreciate your assistance

Johnny
From Sunny Queensland Australia
Your petrol (165kw @ 387nm) is more powerful than the diesel (1HZ = 96kw @ 285nm, or 1HDT-FTE = 151kw @ 430nm on the 100 series version)), also far quicker. If you want more power why not a LS1 or similar conversion, apparently better on fuel as well, without all the other bother and expense. If cost of running is your worry, work out the difference in running costs (both are not cheap to run) and then how far you could go on what it will cost to do what you wish to do (i.e. 4km / litre difference on average on highway vs at least 5k to do a cheap conversion if not a lot more if you want to go 1HDT), - I believe you will be able to go a long way on the difference. http://www.lcool.org/technical/80_series/turbo.html
 
Hi Guys,
My petrol engine is very heavy on fuel, especially with the amount of gear carried, plus towing our campervan/boat on long trips. I had gas; extractors plus larger pipes installed some 8 years ago to compensate. Used gas on highway driving and petrol on off-roads. This combination served us well. However, the engine is clocking slightly over 300.00ks and after this long trip I am definitely rebuilding the engine plus adding a supercharger?; maybe changing gear ratio and toughening the diff. What do you think?
 
Iirc the turbo gives higher power gains.

i can see why you want to keep the truck.

if your keeping the truck for many years and fuel economy is a issue maybe a diesel transplant is the answer. You will obviously also be getting extended range before fill ups which is always handy. The diesels can make and exceed petrol performance with tweeks and upgrades.
 
I see this thread has stagnated somewhat but will throw in my 10 cents. Converting petrol to diesel is waaay easier than the other way around. I am guessing the gearbox bellhousing may be different and perhaps getting a gearbox with engine would solve a lot of the issues that 'may' arise, I say 'may' because manufacturers often swap clutches and so forth, actual gear ratios may be ok but more suited to the way a petrol develops it's power.

Wiring very easy indeed, the only complication I see is the rev counter feed may be different so a possible binacle swap? Fuel connections are easy the tank pump removed and replaced with a simple pick up pipe, perhaps just remove the pump and refit pick up pipe? There is already a flow and return for the petrol version similar to the diesel.

The only thing I am not sure about is weight of the diesel engine versus the petrol, diesels tend to be much heavier, so a pair of front springs from the diesel may be needed?

True I may be a bit more adventurous than the next but, having fitted a Rover V8 into an Escort MK1 back in the 70's, working inside a typical council garage with minimal tools, I am sure with access to the Internet and parts suppliers such as @karl webster it would be no big deal.

Have to agree with prepping the petrol engine if it's good and storing away.

Regards

Dave
a Rover V8 into an Escort MK1? I bet that went like the proverbial off a shovel. :shock: :icon-cool:
 
a Rover V8 into an Escort MK1? I bet that went like the proverbial off a shovel. :shock: :icon-cool:

Oooooh yes, the entire front of the car was cut off from the bottom of the windscreen straight down. The MK1 was the lightest of the escort range, once the front was cleared, you could put a bar in each of the now open box sections and move the shell around like a wheel barrow. Had it all tubed up by a guy in Walthamstow, and then added a fibreglass flip front from IIRC fibresports.

The main problem was it would spin the left rear wheel at the slightest provocation, often spinning you around, it was quite scary TBH. I never had the money in those days to develop it further, IIRC it was the early 3.5 V8 with 175 BHP, throttle position being dictated by the size of your balls........so about halfway :icon-biggrin:

Regards

Dave
 
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