Putting in a diesel engine - how expensive?

[travellinggirl]

Im looking at a mk1 1979 pop top on ebay - its a petrol engine. If i was to buy it for the buy it now price of just under £1,000..i would have some money left over to spend on it.
I wondered how much it would cost to buy a diesel engine and have it fitted by a garage, as id have no idea how to do it myself.
How would i go about sourcing one and what would i expect to pay?
I know its a bit of a broad question! Could i go for a reconditioned one?
Thanks all!
xx

[captain hook]

Cheapest option is LPG

To convert to Diesel would be VERY expensive with a Re-Con as,

you don't have an old engine to exchange.

There are many ways to convert to deisel but, all are

expensive if you have to pay someone else to do it.

[travellinggirl]

Thanks captain,
Ive been thinking about LPG for a while now - ive currently got a VW transporter which im selling and replacing with a Ford Transit..
I enquired about LPG with my VW and they quoted approx £850 - i know its van specific, but im not sure if it would be the same for a transit.
Might think about that route again,

Cheers Emma:)

[Luke]

i would thing soon as the LEZ comes in to force the price of old Di's in the london area will drop

[FredTransit]

Im looking at a mk1 1979 pop top on ebay - its a petrol engine. If i was to buy it for the buy it now price of just under £1,000..i would have some money left over to spend on it.
I wondered how much it would cost to buy a diesel engine and have it fitted by a garage, as id have no idea how to do it myself.
How would i go about sourcing one and what would i expect to pay?
I know its a bit of a broad question! Could i go for a reconditioned one?
Thanks all!
xx

Are you sure it's a Mk1? The Mk1 commonly finished in 1978, yours could be a late registration but it's most likely it's a Mk2, if you post a pic of it or tell us if it has a big, flat bonnet or a small one we can tell you which Mk you have.

[Ollie]

Agree that cheapest way is LPG - the 850 sounds Ok but they are pretty simple so you might well get cheaper for a tranny.

If you do wish to change easiest way is to get an MOT failure van which drives well for around £200 - 300 and then swap stuff across, On aMk2 this is potentailly easy if you have access to some Diesel bits from a MK2, however If you've really got a MK1 though things can get expensive sorting out stuff like panels to cover the new engine, radiators and bespoke brackets, especially if your mechnic hasn't done one before or is more used to bolt on fitments! and it can all get rather out of hand! heading to 1000's rather than hundreds if you go to the wrong people!!

If it is a Mk2 by the way you'll have pinto which would be good on LPG and easy to upgrade later with a five speed gearbox as funds allow

Ollie