New van with cologne v6 engine

[Cableguy]

Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum and also to the t25.
I've just bought a camper with an old school 2.8 cologne engine in it.
As soon as I turned the key, I just had to buy it!
Loud just doesn't adequately describe it. It's simply awesome.
Can anyone offer any advice on any potential issues arising from this conversion?
The previous owner didn't know a great deal as it was new to him also.
I've done a search, but just wanted to make sure I could find out as much as poss,
thanks.

[billy739]

check the gearbox code

depending on the gearbox anything over 50mph will damage the engine long term.

the v6 is not a high reving engine if you want it to last.

will need a dk (2.0 Aircooled) or AAP (21. 5 speed) box in it , still with larger than standard wheels if you want to get the engine to do its job correctly!

[dickspanner]

Its one of those open ended questions pal, it just depends how well the conversion has been done.

I have looked at some conversions and they have been dogs, on the other hand I have seen some awesome conversions.

I did my conversion and put the Ford Cosworth V6 2.9litre 24v engine in mine, Goes like thunder, but it was a no expense spared conversion with all new mechanical part.

As you drive it you will learn everything about it. Be prepared for head scratching, when you work out how certain things have been done, most parts should be available.

Good luck and enjoy it.

Dickspanner

[Cableguy]

thanks for the replies.
Ok, picked the van up yesterday. Drove it 100 miles with no problems.
Goes well, was doing 75 with engine revs showing 3000.
Not sure what that says about the gearing. Box is a 4 speed. Wheels are bog standard 14" .
Really loud exhaust!!! And pretty nippy too.
Conversion was done in Germany In 1994, so engines been in for 16 years.
Find that quite reasurring. Comes with a huge file supporting this.
Spent ages last night cleaning it, worst part is the roof gutters that are really rusty in places.
Will post up photo, some of you might have seen it, guy was a club member.

[boatdog]

wasnt that a normal conversion in south africa i seem to have read somewhere? why would it harm the engine above 50mph?

[billy739]

depends on what revs its doing , if you had a 1.6 Aircooled/diesel box 50 mph can be around 4000rpm, not good long term for a ford v6

[boatdog]

surely a diesel engine is only good for 4000 revs max so all diesel vans only do 50 mph?

[boatdog]

and an Aircooled motor runs out of revs at 3900 i think

[silverbullet]

Goes well, was doing 75 with engine revs showing 3000.
Not sure what that says about the gearing. Box is a 4 speed.

Something's not quite right there...highest VW gearing (AAP) gives 70 mph at 3600 on std tyres so you may have small boots on the front (speedo drive from front wheels) and it's not really doing 75 or... you've got a non-VW gearbox, which is unlikely.
Whack up some pics and we'll work out what you've got.

[billy739]

yes thought the same abot the figures!

defo speedo fault me thinks -prob small tyres!


get the box code and we can tell you what rpm you are actually doing at 75mph!

[Cableguy]

Wheels are only 14",
tyres are 235/70. Will have a butchers to see if I can
find a gearbox code.
Speedo needle wobbles quite a bit, not sure why. Tacho is an aftermarket job
not sure how I can verify the readings.
Thanks again guys

[Cableguy]

Sorry tyres are 205/70

[silverbullet]

Ok so your tyres are too small. 205/70 section tyres should be for 15" wheels, not 14's.
Look at the speed calculator on Brickyard, under wheel swaps.

[Cableguy]

They are the original wheels and According to the service record, the same size tyres were supplied when it was new. Not sure how they can be the wrong size tyres.
I accept that bigger ones will improve the gearing.

[silverbullet]

Fair enough! Is it an import? You didn't say too much about the van apart from that big ol' lump out back.