Club 80-90 Forums

Hello all

Ive owned a T25 1.6D leisuredrive conversion for last 15+ years.
Gone through all the pains of head gasket, water pumps, radiator etc etc over the years - and the fact the 1.6D is a nail
Now appears i have a heater matrix leak

Want to do what i always planned - which was to upgrade engine to something more powerful.

Looking for advice on swapping out the 1.6D and replacing with an Aircooled engine - understanding this needs new tank, exhaust etc etc

but looking for advice on:

a. is it possible?
b. engine recommendations
c. someone who could do the entire job - as this would be beyond my below average skills

Im based in Midlands but happy to send it anywhere for someone to do the job if possible...

thanks kindly

Gaz


 

I have to ask: Why air-cooled?  

Schnippzle wrote: ↑09 Jun 2021, 08:30 I have to ask: Why air-cooled?  

I suspect the OP prefers the absence of a cooling system and associated potential problems.

Interesting question and hopefully someone will be able to answer it. The original vans were designed to have ac engines so theoretically unless significant changes were made to the body/chassis I would think it possible but I wonder if the gear change assy, heater system and engine cooling control is more of a problem than the engine/ gearbox transplant? Probably cheaper to just fix or upgrade the engine you have, sell it and buy an ac version.

thanks for replies thus far.

Yes - just want to try and 'simplify' and remove watercooled ongoing problems...

Would be good to understand if possible and if someone can do this.

thanks

G

There are two air cooled engines, the 1.6 CT and 2.0 CU.

I've got the CT; forget it if you want more power!

Cheers

Pete 

its very expensive these days most if not all of the heating parts are obsolete, the heater ducting, heater box, heater controls etc, good engines arent cheap used and much more rebuilt, i doubt you could do it properly for under £4k parts plus labour but could easily be double that in parts 

heater matrix is only a mornings work, i know which would do, for 15 years ownership doesnt sound like all that much work 

Fair enough, simplicity is a very valid reason Aren't there some larger capacity engines available than 2.0L?

My advice is to replace the heater matrix (pretty easy job), then swap engine for a 1Y 1.9 n/a diesel. More power (feels like LOTS more, even though it isn't a massive increase). Will transform the driving experience, yet keep the economy and reliability of a simple diesel, plus you will have heaters!

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Thanks for the feedback and thoughts.

Decided to give the diesel one last chance and swap out the heater matrix at weekend.

I’ve lived with it this long

Thanks again

G

viewtopic.php?p=8290622#p8290622

There you go! This'll make it fly (in comparison).

E D I T: Now marked sold. Did you buy it?

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