A diesel Dolomite..........

[triple tango]

Well, although it'd be more complicated to fit, a decent modern diesel would be a good 50-100bhp more powerful, much more flexible, probably make more torque, be infinitely more refined, smoother, quieter and have a cleaner (and better-sounding) exhaust.

So, there'd be a few reasons

Yeah, and a bloody nightmare when the over complicated electronics play up, or the common rail system plays up. A proper diesel should run without any elecricity!

[Jod Clark]

Yes. The modern diesel engine is truly a work of art, right up to the point that it goes wrong. In the quest for greater power, refinement, cleanliness(?)* and economy it seems that the simplicity of the diesel engine has been lost forever.

Peugeot 406 / 407 / Citroen C5 etc 2.2HDi (injectors that need to be removed before the head can be removed....and they don't come out even with a 20-tonne hydraulic puller on them, thereby scrapping the head / injectors (£800 each) or probably just the whole car because repair is uneconomic)

BMW E46 320D (turbos that blow their seals out due to the rubbish design of the crankcase breather system, not unknown for cars with 100K miles on to be on their third turbo.)

A quick look on my records shows the seven vehicles I use / care for with the Peugeot XUD9 engine have needed the following engine repairs over a combined mileage of 142,767 miles: 1 x stop solenoid; 1 x starter motor; 1 x cam cover gasket; 2 x glowplug sets; 1 x glowplug control relay.

*took a 1994 Pug 405 1.9D estate for MOT yesterday, 0.31 on the smokemeter, no diesel car I've seen has produced such a smoke-free exhaust.

[scoobyh123]

Why mess with anything else??

Well, although it'd be more complicated to fit, a decent modern diesel would be a good 50-100bhp more powerful, much more flexible, probably make more torque, be infinitely more refined, smoother, quieter and have a cleaner (and better-sounding) exhaust.

So, there'd be a few reasons

Hmm, good point. Then again you don't need to look much further as the second generation of the same engine is in Rover 25/45 etc models and makes over 100bhp as standard (believe it's called L series) and should be fairly easy to mate to the gearboxes already mentioned. The major drawback with going more modern is they have a lot more electronic control so would be more complicated to fit. You'd need a complete donor vehicle to get the engine and ECU so the costs would be higher too.
If you want a fairly simple conversion, i'd go for the "O" series - if you don't mind it being more complicated go for the L series.

As for the Isuzu lump, nice when it's running but it doesn't seem as reliable as the similar Vauxhall unit in my experience.

[1300dolly]

Good idea in theory as the fitting a Disease oil engine would be the cheaper running cost but surely cost/ time of fitting and increased insurance costs would outweigh the savings?

The nearest any of my cars will get to diesel is parking next to the bus or being on the back of a tow truck

[Spunkymonkey]

Why mess with anything else??

Well, although it'd be more complicated to fit, a decent modern diesel would be a good 50-100bhp more powerful, much more flexible, probably make more torque, be infinitely more refined, smoother, quieter and have a cleaner (and better-sounding) exhaust.

So, there'd be a few reasons

Hmm, good point. Then again you don't need to look much further as the second generation of the same engine is in Rover 25/45 etc models and makes over 100bhp as standard (believe it's called L series) and should be fairly easy to mate to the gearboxes already mentioned. The major drawback with going more modern is they have a lot more electronic control so would be more complicated to fit. You'd need a complete donor vehicle to get the engine and ECU so the costs would be higher too.
If you want a fairly simple conversion, i'd go for the "O" series - if you don't mind it being more complicated go for the L series.

As for the Isuzu lump, nice when it's running but it doesn't seem as reliable as the similar Vauxhall unit in my experience.

Montego TD engine = rock solid economic load lugger with bags of torque across a wide range and full mechanical injection which runs happily on veg oil (but a little unrefined by today's standards). 45mpg + at a steady 80mph in a (fully loaded) Monty estate says it all really. Could be interesting working out gearing to make the most of the torque in a Dolly though.

Rover 45 TD = electronicified "update" with less flexibility, worse economy, shorter life but a little more refined. Also easier to find now.

Stuff the refinement!

[scoobyh123]

Why mess with anything else??


Montego TD engine = rock solid economic load lugger with bags of torque across a wide range and full mechanical injection which runs happily on veg oil (but a little unrefined by today's standards). 45mpg + at a steady 80mph in a (fully loaded) Monty estate says it all really. Could be interesting working out gearing to make the most of the torque in a Dolly though.

Rover 45 TD = electronicified "update" with less flexibility, worse economy, shorter life but a little more refined. Also easier to find now.

Stuff the refinement!

I'll second that!! I suspect a Dolly 1850 auto axle might give the best compromise on gearing but that's only a wild guess!

[Lord Tolly]

Stuff all this diesel lark.

It's the fuel of tractors and generators


stuff in a Chevy V8
Get enjoyment value from you fuel
OOOOOOOHHHHHH YEAAAHHH!!!!!!! =D>

[Lewis]

I'm trying I'm trying

[scoobyh123]

Stuff all this diesel lark.

It's the fuel of tractors and generators


stuff in a Chevy V8
Get enjoyment value from you fuel
OOOOOOOHHHHHH YEAAAHHH!!!!!!! =D>

Normally i'd whole-heartedly agree!! However with petrol heading for £1.50/L, drastic ills call for drastic remedies! Hence the thoughts of fitting an oil burner . . . . . . . . . . .

Reckon you could see 50mpg out of a Dolly quite easily with a Maestro/Montego TD unit and still have good performance, even with an auto. Use the auto box/bellhousing from a TR7 and the above engine, job done pretty much!

[matienzo]

Ahh come on you can't put a modern diesel in. It's got to be something circa mid 70's otherwise you'll get slated by the concours judges. How about a 2 1/4 lump from a series Landy?

[scoobyh123]

Ahh come on you can't put a modern diesel in. It's got to be something circa mid 70's otherwise you'll get slated by the concours judges. How about a 2 1/4 lump from a series Landy?

Too big and slow revving for a Dolly!! Using your argument suggests the best choice is once again the "O" series as this was in development from the early 70s and the petrol version was intended to power the MGB amongst others as well as the TR7.

[sprint95m]

What are the ins and outs of putting a transplanted car back on the road?
I am told you know to demonstrate where the engine came from given that it will be a change of fuel type.
What does that involve?

[Jod Clark]

V5 (or its document number) from the donor vehicle and an engineers report is all that is needed.

[Pauldaf44]

If your going to put a Diesel in it needs to be one of these. 5 litres, a mahoosive turbo and 10 cylinders.



So wheres the shoe horn, and where do I find someone with even the remotess idea of how to fit one.

[SprintMWU773V]

Got 65mpg out of the BM the other day would love to get that in a Dolomite.