best way to 'spruce' up and old engine (1.6td)

[charlie brown syndrome]

hi guys,
well as my engine conversion doesnt look like its going to get done before my trip away the first week in august, i'm having thoughts on getting the engine in the van running better.
its a 1.6td which appears to be running fine, besides an exhaust blow, and the oil (buzzer of doom) comes on every so often, and sometimes it starts 2nd 3rd or 4th time but it always starts (albeit, with a bit of smoke on start up)
now this is the thing thats grating on me a little bit.
the oil light comes on intermitantly and there doesnt seem to be any set pattern, in fact it's usually gone off again before i can pull up anywhere.
the engine itself is a tad tired at 140k and i was wondering if it is worth throwing any cash at it, maybe a service, new exhaust, or anything that can be done to make it run nicer/quieter/quicker/more reliably,
i'm a bit scared about throwing cash at it and then it giving up the ghost.
any suggestions? or if anyone knows of a full conversion going for cheap, and when i say full i mean complete (and must be diesel) then please let me know

[kevtherev]

anything that can be done to make it run nicer/quieter/quicker/more reliably,
i'm a bit scared about throwing cash at it and then it giving up the ghost.
any suggestions?

get a cheap lower mileage 1.9AAZ diesel seat and throw the engine in.. don't flog a dead horse

[charlie brown syndrome]

hahaha, i knew someone would suggest that!

tbh, i would go that route but trying to find an AAZ cheap without a million miles on the clock near to west mids, then buying any other bits i'd need, and then fitting it before august is going to be like platting soot with oven gloves on i think

anyway, someone told me that your looking at spending a grand to do an AAZ engine conversion, i havent got that much cash, ive got a bit but not a grand

[kevtherev]

Sorry mate but you need to speak to my pals
Sundial and fully loaded cali, they live in the midlands (wolves) and they have both done this conversion, and it did not cost an arm and a leg as you suggest.
the doner cars were sold for spares as was the original engine. Thus recouping a good percentage of the costs.
regarding bits to fit I can't recall them having to shell out for anything.

[charlie brown syndrome]

i didnt suggest that the conversion would cost that much, thats what i was told, which kind of put me off straight away.
i'll do a bit of research and see if its do-able.
cheers

[kevtherev]

both these fellas are at camperjam.. you going?

[T'Onion]

Drop LHD a pm , he may have something that you might be looking for

[charlie brown syndrome]

ive dropped lhd a pm, with a link to this thread so he doesnt think i am a secret agent trying to recruit him for a mission,
i just read it the pm back and it looks like its in code

[kevtherev]

have you PM'd sundial?

[charlie brown syndrome]

hi kev,
i'm just about to pm him now,
i dont think i will be going to any shows until the engines done,
i will pm him now
cheers mate

[horns]

Get it serviced and get the pump timing set by someone who knows what they're doing. The JX is a pretty decent engine if you give it a chance...

[charlie brown syndrome]

Get it serviced and get the pump timing set by someone who knows what they're doing. The JX is a pretty decent engine if you give it a chance...

ive no doubt that the jx is a good engine but i think its had a hard life and like kev said, dont flog a dead horse,
i havent got the money to throw at the jx because if it still goes wrong after that, i cant afford to get an engine conversion done then,
if i could get the jx rebuilt for a decent price to prolong the life of it and get it running nice i would jump at the chance,

[kevtherev]

horns has a point there though
you must weigh up the costs of refurb against renewal

the folks whom have done this will be able to give you these answers

[horns]

I'm not talking about a rebuild - just get it running right. Mine's done more miles that yours, and a bit of care and attention made an enormous difference.

[charlie brown syndrome]

i'll look at all options,
i personally like the jx engine, although its very slow on the motorway,
i dont think the exhaust blow is helping the cause, but my top speed out of this is about 65mph and its not comfortably doing that, (caravelle, not hi top or camping gear)

what should i be expecting to pay (roughly) for the pump timing to be done?
can a normal garage do it as its only a standard engine?
sorry about all the questions guys but i dont want to let the family down, we dont get to go away very much
really appreciate all the replies