mk1 non bullnose diesel conversion,...if it works!!

[oldskooler]

i fitted a aux temp gauge as a temporary measure to keep an accurate reading of the coolant temp on the first runs. hope to hook up the original gauge when im happy all is good.









also got the mk2 front disc brake axle setup fitted.







before fully reassembling the front end i loosely attached the front panel and took her for the maiden run. all seemed good and the modded flywheel/clutch setup seems to be a success.




















so, happy that she was going well, all the bits were bolted back on.






van more or less finished, couple of door rubbbers still to be fitted and maybe fit a higher diff ratio and thats about it.

[oldskooler]

the van is now fully finished, back with its owner and on the road. hes very happy with it and the way it drives. only other thing i did was fit a 4.1 diff from a swb mk2 2.0 pinto van replacing the original 4.4 ratio. this left the van sweeter on the road and it cruises easily at 60 or 70. id say it would even handle a 3.9 ok if we could find one! i must say it was one of the more enjoyable projects as the van was so nice to start with.

[conrod]

Great project, thanks for sharing Such a tastefully done project! Did the single wheel axle come out with a 3.9 ratio? I have a "hybrid" diff head here for a Mk1 (or Mk2) with a 3.5 ratio, it has a Mk3 Zephyr CWP fitted, which I am told bolt straight in. I am told you need to use the Transit side gears though. Maybe there was a Mk3 Z car 3.9 CWP available?

Conrad

[oldskooler]

Great project, thanks for sharing Such a tastefully done project! Did the single wheel axle come out with a 3.9 ratio? I have a "hybrid" diff head here for a Mk1 (or Mk2) with a 3.5 ratio, it has a Mk3 Zephyr CWP fitted, which I am told bolt straight in. I am told you need to use the Transit side gears though. Maybe there was a Mk3 Z car 3.9 CWP available?

Conrad

cheers conrad, i have been told some mk3,s had a 3.9 fitted but theyre very rare. interesting that the zeph cwp will fit, cheers.

[Southerner]

That looks A1 mate, love the wheels.

[BROWNYS V6]

you guys made a nice job of that, looks awesome

[Mad machinist]

Mk3 zephyr 6 has 3.9 diff, zodiac had 3.5, had 3.9 in my essex auto mk1 many moons ago, gave good all round performance, nice work by the way

[jonochap]

Wow, great build, dead jealous

[RustWidow]

Good job there, it really looks the part

[Luke]

Declan, now this has been on the road for a bit, has he done any towing (or heavy loads) with it ? ........ and ........................ you know what i'm gonna ask do you think it would work in a heavier lwb firevan

[oldskooler]

hes been driving it all summer luke and loves it to bits!! he actually parked up his mk1 escort and took the tranny to most of the runs and shows instead!! he doesent do any towing with it but i know from driving it its a flyer on the road up through the gears but ive a feeling that a long hill with a load on would throw up issues due to the lack of torque compared to a bigger capacity stove.

i reckon one id go fine in a lwb if it wasnt carrying big loads but i wonder would the type 9 box hold up to the extra bit of weight


ive been thinking recently that the "daddy of them all" tranny diesel transplant would have to be the vw/audi 1.9 pd tdi (01 to 05) already an inline engine, and pretty compact with a possible 170 bhp from the 130 bhp awx engine and acres of torque. this type engine is also used in transporter vans which go well im told.
trying to get an mt75 to mate to one wouldnt scare me but the mountain of wiring and immobliiser removal etc deffo would!! it would have to run fly by wire throttle and all the gubbins but they seem to be very reliable with well over 200,000 miles up in some cars ive seen. twice the power of a di and half the weight sounds tempting!!!

[Luke]

hmmm - do you reckon the vw 1.9tdi would fit in a flat front mk1 transit

ive roughly measured up the 2.0 peugeot Hdi and i dont think that would go in - shame as its a stonking motor in my 206

[oldskooler]

hmmm - do you reckon the vw 1.9tdi would fit in a flat front mk1 transit

ive roughly measured up the 2.0 peugeot Hdi and i dont think that would go in - shame as its a stonking motor in my 206

ya a hdi sure would go well too.

i havent measured one up yet but i reckon the vw pd is a bit shorter than a hdi, certainly looks compact enough length wise, more chunky and wider than most id say which would be no problem in a transit bay.

id imagine the only thing for it is a trip to the breakers with a measuring tape some day!!

[Luke]

what about the VW LT gearbox does that have the same stud pattern as the 1.9tdi

[oldskooler]

what about the VW LT gearbox does that have the same stud pattern as the 1.9tdi

im told the 5 cyl and 4 cyl tdi engines have different patterns, will have to check for sure.