Different engine swaps

SantaHul

SantaHul

0
As many of you know, we bought Rob's green machine and were hoping to fit a 2.5TD Peugeot engine, but alas after struggling to find information on the swap I just noticed in a picture of a Commer with a similar swap (2.3 non-turbo from a Sierra) the middle seat has been lost, which is a problem for us as we need to use the front as a bed, otherwise one of our gang will have nowhere to sleep.

54bd_3.jpg


I'm going to have a look at the Commer later to see if this may be overcome, but in the mean time I was wondering if anybody else would like to comment on their own engine swaps. I know Panky is in the process of fitting a Holbay engine (from a Hunter?) which is interesting. Anybody else have relatively easy swaps? I'm afraid a Cleveland V8 or Vauxhall engine is beyond us. Just want a more powerful and efficient engine for adventures around Europe and stuff.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
The gear level problem could be overcome through the use of an auto box - the cable can run to wherever you want the lever to go.

Will & Dave - Vauxhall Conversion
Sumbeamsam - Holbay conversion (now running)
Commerjules - holbay conversion (also running)
Dozer - Ford V6 conversion with auto box, V8 conversion (not sure which engine it was).

It may be worth using as is for this summer, seeing how you all find it and then spending your pennies over the winter as dozer is opening up shop for conversions and restos!

I tried swapping an alpine engine for our weedy 1500 but had too many issues and too little help (very very early forum days) so the 1500 is back in place (not yet running) so hoping the PA will be on the road before the end of the year by hook or by crook (and if yori doesn't sap resources being a useable van!)
 
I looked at sticking a Porsche 3.6 litre flat 6 bolted to a transaxle under the back end. I thought I'd have to leave the 1725 block in there to even up the weight a bit!
 
Are the Holbay engines just tuned up versions of the original then? What kind of stats do they give in a Commer with electronic ignition and stuff? MPG, top speed etc? The 1500 in the van isn't running very well and we don't fancy throwing time and money at an engine we don't want.

We'll look into that automatic option too, it's a good idea.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
the holbay is a tuned ali head 1725 around 100 bhp, its basically the same and fits in with a few mods (see sam and jules threads) i will be fitting one into chris,s sybhil soon :D

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off no.3"
 
Nissan Cabstar 2.5 diesel was my first choice.
It is a very similar layout between the front seats and the gear linkage is very similar.
cabstarasdelivered3.jpg

I have since decided to stick in a 2.3 Turbo volvo engine just for fun but the Nissan diesel would be far more cononomical.

Rob

Greanbean = Rob Smith after forgetting his password...doh
 
Oh hey Rob, I was just about to email you.

I've been offered a 1725cc Holbay engine from a 1967 Humber Sceptre. It's £125 and includes an O/D gearbox. Is this the specific engine in question?

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
I wouldn't get too excited about whether it is Holbay or not. the Holbay motor was only fitted to Sunbeam Rapier H120s and Hillman Hunter GLSs. Best way to check what you've got is by engine number:

http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/TT_EngineNo.htm

The Holbay motor should come with:

(1) Twin Weber 40 DCOEs - which would probably be a sod to fit to the commer.
(2) A ported cylinder head, though with smaller exhaust ports (story goes that they couldn't get the motor to idle properly without doing this).
(3) A different cam - not very torquey and a bit of a narror power band. New profiles from Kent (or similar) can be better.
(4) Oil temp guage sender in oil filter housing.
(5) Flat top pistons to keep the compression ratio up to counter the enlarged combustion chambers - which are no long available in oversizes - you'll have to use hunter 1500 items instead if you do a rebuild.
(6) Some have alloy sumps - which won't fit in a commer.

A stock alloy headed engine out of a scepter/alpine/rapier can easily be upgraded to produce same/more power/torque than a stock holbay.

i'd say £125 for the engine and box is fair - try to get as many of the ancils and mounts that you can. If you can take the head off and check the bores before parting with the cash!

Get it fitted running then start tuning it how you want it.

Don't underestimate how long it will all take... I'm an expert at this!
 
We're having the swap done for us by a garage, they just want a bit of a guide on how to do it and we'll try to get all the bits ready for them to keep costs down.

The advert says it's a Holbay engine, it's running a single Solex carb but it's alloy. Not sure if Holbay were responsible for these ones or not but according to Wikipedia they put out 95bhp which is enough for us. The engines still in the car so we can hear it running, hopefully tonight.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
sounds like a good motor at a good price, o/d box as well :p

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off no.3"
 
The sidedrafts are worth £120 on their own.
I couldnt get them to fit though, sell them on ebay for about £200.

The most time consuming part in my conversion was making overdrive box mounts and modifying gear linkage.

Cheers
Jules

RatSport www.ratsport.co.uk
 
I can understand the o/d mounting but what needs doing to the gear linkage? I thought it was the same gearbox on a different ratio.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
Can you point me in the direction of the threads describing your conversions please? I'm conscious of constantly badgering you for answers that have already been posted but I'm struggling to find useful topics.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
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