Club 80-90 Forums

Just bought a df engine to replace my dg, is there any problems that I may come across that you guys know of??

No problems. It's a one for one swap providing both are the same cooling system type, they changed around 1984/5. The early cooling system has a different water pump and thermostat arrangement, though if your two engines are not the same in this respect, they parts can be swapped around.

DF is lower power.

Dizzy (and timing) and carb (and inlet manufold/ carb pancake) are different
may run badly with DG carb and dizzy, really need these from the DF also.

You will probably be disappointed with less power particularly on hills

^^^ Ah yes, for some reason I was assuming an engine with it's original ancillaries still attached

The DF engine also has a different coolant flexible hose setup around the engine. Also the general view seems to be that the DF engine only runs on a Solex carb. However, mine was fitted with a Pierburg by a previous owner and has run sweetly for me ever since 2007.

Ralf85 wrote:The DF engine also has a different coolant flexible hose setup around the engine.

ghost123uk wrote:No problems. It's a one for one swap providing both are the same cooling system type, they changed around 1984/5

Again, if the DG has the earlier cooling system, it's not a problem, and again, if the "new" engine is different, the later parts can be swapped onto it and used (iirc).

Thanks guys, new engine is in and up and running, seems fine so far, have bled up from the thermostat bleeder but have tried from the radiator bleeder also but while the van is flat no water has come out, does the rear of the van need to be jacked up for this?

No, but you likely need to rev it up to a higher rpm. See our wiki for more info HERE.
Pretty important to do it before using it (I guess you knew that).

A tip I do = allow the cooling system to get to some pressure (test be feeling the fatter hoses) then just crack the radiator bleed screw a turn. You should hear any air hiss as it escapes. Take care though not to undo the bleed bolt too far or it comes out, followed by a shower of very hot water.
Glad the swap went well by the way

Thanks ghost, don't supose anybody local to ormskirk/burscough/southport area could take a look and make sure it's bled up ok is there?