Club 80-90 Forums

Hi everyone

Not posted for while, and started my camper either.

So....

Thinking cap on, and wallet open, I'm researching a new plan.

I've got a 2.0l petrol 1981 Devon pop top, whic I was going to strip the engine down and rebuild again.

Needless to say work, family and house DIY have prevented me starting.

So I thought, why not drop out the 2.0l petrol (which I dislike as its leaking oil and thirsty on juice), and swop it out for a deisel which I can run on veg oil.

I've done some reading and would the 1.9 1y be a good donor engine. If so I think I'll buy a SEAT inca with a decent running block and swop them over. Then tow the rest to the scrap yard.

Is this a viable plan?

It would be a lot of work mate, putting a rad and the pipe work and all the different wiring for the desiel engine,better off to sell it and buy one already done.

Just finished a similar conversion. (2ltr Aircooled to 1.9 diesel)
The advice above is correct. It is easier and cheaper to go out and buy a diesel van.
I had got quite emotionally attached to mine in the short time I'd owned it and didn't want to part with it but didn't like the mpg.
The diesel conversion parts are quite sought after and command a high price from the specialist breakers.
I bought a very rusty diesel van for all the conversion parts but unfortunately a lot of the parts were only fit for the bin.
The engine is a 1z but with the turbo removed and a mechanical injector pump fitted. This made it very easy to fit but it lacks a bit of power.
After two weeks of daily use I'm quite pleased with it. A slight drop in power, a definite increase in noise (but not too bad) and a big increase in mpg.
I do plan to bolt a turbo on in the future.
I quite enjoyed doing the conversion and it wasn't difficult but it was time consuming.
If you can do it all yourself and enjoy modifying then crack on.
I don't regret doing mine.