Simple modern engine replacement mk1/mk2

[Kaneelschep]

Hi all.

I am looking to get a mk1 or mk2 camper. Not just a van. But one with a real camper build.
My grandparents bought a very nice original orange 76 mk1 CI motorhome in the begin of the 80s.
And went everywhere in europe with it. Everywhere! Every holiday we would be in it going somewhere. 1000s of km per holiday. My grandparents were always there with the camper. Or came after us.
So i know very well from first hand what this engine in this camper could and could not do.
The v4, 2 liter ate a lot. Was slow, high revs. Always had problems getting up in the mountains. And often had some kind of issue somewhere.
Some call it nostalgic. And yes, i will never forget the great sound of that v4.
But i dont need that part of the nostalgia. Been there, done that.
Too much breakdowns, expensive holiday fixes, tense moments.
I want reliability, low revs, good mileage.

So i searched a lot. But i cant find that one good answer.
What is the best modern diesel engine and gearbox that will easily fit into a flatnose mk1 or a mk2. And is there some complete build guide for that?
I can fabricate stuff and puzzle wiring looms.
But what is the easiest to fit.

Thanks!

[bortaf]

You could EFi the pinto that will probably already be in the van ? but IMHO you'd be better off with a zetec and just copy an instal from one of the many escort instals, you can buy most of what's required from specialists but you may well need to fabricate engine mounts ?
Look at passion ford or retrorides forums to look into the zetec swap, there's plenty out there to copy from

Doh just seen your after a diesel, forget what i said
there's a TDCi in a mk1 on here somewhere

[blue estate]

You could EFi the pinto that will probably already be in the van ? but IMHO you'd be better off with a zetec and just copy an instal from one of the many escort instals, you can buy most of what's required from specialists but you may well need to fabricate engine mounts ?
Look at passion ford or retrorides forums to look into the zetec swap, there's plenty out there to copy from

Doh just seen your after a diesel, forget what i said
there's a TDCi in a mk1 on here somewhere

I work that a guy who swapped his connect lynx for a focus RSengine


Sent from some where

[Adam mk1]

Not simply in a flat front mk1, im fitting a 2.5 turbo diesel automatic in my mk1 & keeping it flat front, the engine out of a mk5, major undertaking cut the bulkhead, cut engine mounts in to chassis rails, gearbox mounts further back, and then it will need sound proofing, my mk1 project is on forum

[Neil]

not much will fit easy, might be better looking at a modern petrol as diesel is going to be vanishing at a fast rate

[dumper]

I fitted a 2.0 L pinto in my V4 mk1 it had the single bolt rear mounting on the gearbox I used the offside engine standard transit mounting bracket but had to extend the near side to fit .i didn’t want to cut the front x member so I used the bullnose front panel and bumper and a York Diesel radiator and extended the bumper brackets and used the bullnose bumper and fill in parts unless you looked closely it looked as if it was standard we had all the parts at work apart from a good bullnose X member as all the ones on the scrap vans where rotten . At the time I did look at fitting a 1600 Kent pushrod as they will go in with a flat front but we only had diesel vans to take parts off.

[DougT]

If you have not found it already, here is the link to oldskooler's installation of an Isuzu engine in a flat front Mk1. Might give you ideas.

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=77451

Doug

[Ghosta]

On a camper you got a big front area and lots of kilograms. You need a engine with lots of torque on low revs. Today the simplest solution is some kind of a turbo diesel engine. In our mk2 we are going on the 2.5 TD from a mk5. I don’t know witch petrol engine that can match the torque on a TD.
Göran i Björnarbo

[dumper]

On a camper you got a big front area and lots of kilograms. You need a engine with lots of torque on low revs. Today the simplest solution is some kind of a turbo diesel engine. In our mk2 we are going on the 2.5 TD from a mk5. I don’t know witch petrol engine that can match the torque on a TD.
Göran i Björnarbo

If I was doing one today and I could get the panels to do it that’s what I’d go for.

[Ghosta]

A panel van like this?

56B2C3D4-7F9A-422E-8D8C-96A0CA76B2D1.jpeg

Instaed of a camper like this?

C8A62C61-7576-403C-9240-F203397B295E.jpeg

Göran i Björnarbo

[Kaneelschep]

Thanks for all the input!
So basicly the di or di turbo engine from the mk5.
Or zetec for benzine. I will go and search for that.
Also i will check the isuzu build. Those are good engines.
And what gearboxes does.this mix with best?

I would rather have a diesel. For the torque and lower fuel cost.
But if needed i cna live with a petrol engine. Especially one with electronic injection so it can be easily converted to lpg and still have some ok mileage.

https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?th ... 514/page-2
I found this build with a vw tdi. He puts a pd tdi into.it.
With a crafter gearbox.
Not a bad idea. with the cablebox you can easily put the gearknob everywhere.
The pd tdi is one of the best diesels. And very easy to source.

[oldskooler]

[quote="Kaneelschep"]Thanks for all the input!

Also i will check the isuzu build. Those are good engines.
And what gearboxes does.this mix with best?


for the izuzu td swap, i used a readily aftermarket bellhousing used for fitting a ford type 9 gearbox to gm engines in rally cars etc....

the izuzu from an astra or cavalier has gm bolt pattern.....

using the mk3 transit type 9 gearbox with this bellhousing allows the original gearstick location to be retained which is a nice touch in a mk1....

its well covered in the thread shared above....

[Kaneelschep]

I read all about the isuzu. It seems like a very solid choice! Especially if you can get the adapter and an appropriate type 9.
Also read there are a lot of newer versions of the y17dt. If they use the same gearbox patterns that would be very interesting. As there are lots of those around too.
For the extra power and torque.

I checked out the zetec motor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Zetec_engine
But on the wiki page it shows tons of engines that fall under the zetec category.
Which are we talking about specifically?
I am guessing the typical 2000ish 2 liter mondeo and focus engine.

[Kaneelschep]

I like how the isuzu build topic ended with the same wish as me
A pd engine conversion.
Reading the topic about that now.

We personally drive a 4motion 2003 passat with the ASZ 96KW/310nm at 280000km.
And also have an audi a4 with the ATM. The 85kw/285nm pd. At 450000km. And it still runs smooth.
Just had a headgasket done, but for the rest basicly untouched.
I think these engines are the best diesels out there. Worthy successor of the VP.
The Vp engine, the 90/110hp tdi was very good too. We owned a 1z passat from 230000 to 700000km. Didnt even change the clutch once. It still ran great when changed for another car. Aways did 20 km on a liter of diesel.