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Chrismcc



Member Since: 22 May 2013
Location: Bergen
Posts: 29

Norway 
Series 3 - engine choice
Hi,
Interested in the possibility of a series 3 restoration but with no real experience of them is the petrol or diesel the preferred motor?

Cheers
Chris
Post #498046 29th Jan 2016 9:57pm
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LR90XS2011



Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: bickenhill
Posts: 3616

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
i had a 2.25 petrol and it was extremely quiet and was just about pokey enough however with enthusiastic driving I used too only get about 20mpg average and never saw more than about 70mph DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,

I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy
Post #498087 29th Jan 2016 10:57pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16935

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
The petrol 2286cc is vastly preferable to the diesel.

If you're not worried about originality, go for a 200Tdi.
Post #498097 29th Jan 2016 11:14pm
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PCA42



Member Since: 15 Jun 2014
Location: Church Stretton
Posts: 468

England 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Tonga Green
As others have said, the 2.25 is the much preferred option. The diesel is extremely lethargic, noisy and not all that economical.

The petrol on the other hand is a lot more sprightly (still not 'fast' by any means!) and smooth... they tick over very satisfyingly. Pete

2010 Discovery 4 GS TDV6
1972 Series III 88" 2.25P
Post #498127 30th Jan 2016 12:13am
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Gareth



Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 1038

England 2003 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
The petrol is a lovely engine when looked after. Virtually bullet proof too. 2021 Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 MHEV
1966 S2a 109 aka Betsy
1968 S2a 88 aka Bob
2014 Jaaaag F Type 3.0 Supercharged.
Post #498129 30th Jan 2016 12:22am
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Likeomg



Member Since: 29 Jun 2012
Location: Lake District / Newcastle
Posts: 2627

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
i actually enjoy driving my series 3 with the diesel... facial expressions like mr bean but..

i also have 2 with a 200tdi from a defender and 1 with a 200tdi from a disco which actually go really well.. the 109 having range rover diffs etc..
Post #498131 30th Jan 2016 12:23am
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LR90XS2011



Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: bickenhill
Posts: 3616

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
forgot to mention my son had for a short time a S3 88 with a 200tdi with no turbo fitted and it went OK cant quote top speed or MPG but as a passenger it was adequate. My fathers S3 88 rebuild is progressing and has just reached the no body but drivable stage, it has a 2.25 with a home ported head, twin 1 and 1/2 inch SUs on home made manifold, tubular exhaust manifold and free flowing silencers, it also has RR diffs. He let me have a go in the yard and although I did not get above about 30 mph it is currently feels very quick to that speed, however I'm sure some bodywork will slow it down, it also sounds more like a MGB than a landy which isnt quite right DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,

I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy
Post #498160 30th Jan 2016 8:58am
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sgilmour



Member Since: 21 Jul 2015
Location: Essex
Posts: 232

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Quote:
just reached the no body but drivable stage


Rolling with laughter Pictures please!
Post #498219 30th Jan 2016 11:48am
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Chrismcc



Member Since: 22 May 2013
Location: Bergen
Posts: 29

Norway 
Thanks guys,
This isn't a project I'm about to undertake straight away more of a pipeline dream but as I've been looking at it recently its good to know which motor might be the preferred choice.

Chris
Post #499430 2nd Feb 2016 8:56am
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LR90XS2011



Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: bickenhill
Posts: 3616

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
sgilmour wrote:
Quote:
just reached the no body but drivable stage


Rolling with laughter Pictures please!


Will get some up to date photos next time I visit him, his attention to detail is amazing, (not a wiggly brake pipe to be found) but he is not much bothered about originality so it will offend some. DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,

I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy
Post #499621 2nd Feb 2016 7:37pm
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Eduardo



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: RegiĆ³n Metropolitana
Posts: 2109

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Only an idea

In Chile (if the originality is not an issue) several mates have changed the original motor by a Nissan BD30 or the TD27 with good results. Easy to maintain and with a lot of spares averywhere.

Cheers Eduardo

MY 2007 110 SW PUMA 2.4: Big Fog of 64'
MY 1994 Jayco 1207 Folding camper: "El Tremendo"

Click image to enlarge
Post #499641 2nd Feb 2016 8:16pm
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22900013A



Member Since: 23 Dec 2010
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 3140

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Keswick Green
With series IIIs you have a choice of four factory fitted engines. 2.25 in petrol or diesel, 2.6 petrol six cylinder, of 3.5 V8. The 2.25 petrol is well regarded, simple and reliable. The diesel can be a pain, is not as powerful and is noisy, it also seems to require more looking after. It does do better on fuel than the petrol though, and can be ran on veg oil so I understand. I had one in a swb and it was fine, but I imagine it would struggle a bit in a loaded lwb. I have a 109 with the six cylinder engine (it was never available in the swb) which is in many ways superior to the 2.25, although it is more thirsty. It offers more torque and power, but bits are getting rare now. I have never ran a V8 myself but know people who do. Like the six, the sound is great, but the stage 1 V8 is now quite rare (like the six again) and specialist, some parts are just not available.

If you are looking for your first series motor I would suggest sticking to the 2.25 petrol. 2011 110 USW
1973 Series III 1-Ton
1972 Series III 1-Ton Cherrypicker
1969 IIA 1-Ton
1966 IIA 88"
Post #499667 2nd Feb 2016 9:02pm
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Chrismcc



Member Since: 22 May 2013
Location: Bergen
Posts: 29

Norway 
With that just said, I have also read about people getting their 2,25 petrol motors 'upgraded' to run on modern unleaded.
is this a wise or recommended view?

cheers
Chris
Post #500357 4th Feb 2016 1:14pm
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1978



Member Since: 04 Aug 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 519

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
I would recommend the fitting of a lead free cylinder head assembly, both my series 2 and series 3 have been treated to one of these from Turner Engineering:

http://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/acatalog/info_583.html

They are £575 plus fitting, but you get £250 back when you send them your old one. It is well worth doing, if you use your vehicle frequently you will soon see the cost of fuel additive mount up otherwise!

With regard to the choice between Petrol & Diesel 2.25 engines, I would go for petrol every time, the diesels are painfully slow and noisy.
Post #500404 4th Feb 2016 2:36pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16935

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
It seems generally to be considered a good idea to fit hardened exhaust valve seats now that leaded is unavailable.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the 2286cc petrol engine was available with two difference compression rations, I think (from memory) 7:1 and 8:1. The low compressin engine is noticeably less powerful than the high compression, and the HC is preferable.

I think that the only physical difference was the size of the combustyion chamber in the head, and the block etc is identical.
Post #500409 4th Feb 2016 2:42pm
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