Mk1 Transit motorhome engine swap advice

[Viva_65]

Im sorry this might be a long read but ive been months thinking on this and now need some help deciding what engine.

Current engine: 2.5 DI mt75 gearbox

My options are the:
Essex v6 efi or the Transit 2.2 euro 5 puma

why these engines
My brother has the mk3 Transit v6 on a stand from a old project, it has the plate to go straight up to my current gearbox, and im assuming engine mounts will be the same, exhausts will probably be the biggest work also some mk1 had this engine so its a Legal swap. I would most like do a Lpg conversion aswell.

The puma engine. I have a mk7 Transit that got hit by a lorry nearly 2 years ago now. I had this camper for 7 years done 60,000 miles, so i know the engine is spot on. Obviously the conversation is way more in depth and would fit the mt82 6 speed, and pretty much use the whole lume, change the steering column, clocks and pedals. but keep my original axle. In my mind i would not normally attempt such a modern engine but because i have a complete donor van it makes me very tempted.

Hears where i need a bit of help

The main reason for the swap is noise, the 2.5di i have is so loud, and in a camper its not ideal, that and hills are a problem, other than that its a great motor, and im getting good miles.

I know the puma is quiet but how is the v6? im talking about noise under the bonnet more than the exhausts

Im also looking for good mpg my puma engine was getting 26mpg, How would that be compare to the v6 on Lpg?

Also reliability ive never played with the v6 but like i say my puma engine i serviced regularly and did many European trips so i know its good.

Really appreciate any advise from these engine and mk1 owners out there

[Viva_65]

IMG_20250503_064603_282.jpg

And a picture we are currently in Sardinia,

[Neil]

the v6 will be heavier on fuel,, but nicer all round the mk 1 v6 was carb and not efi so it might affect its mot exempt status ?

[Viva_65]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187154302551 ... earch=true

[Viva_65]

hanks Neil , im not 100% on the mot exempt rules in the link above this transit has essentially the Puma engine in it, and still claims Tax and Mot exemption? is it the Mot station that moderates it?

for sure i want to keep the classic status,

Has anyone driven a V6 compared with a DI. for noise comparison wise

[Neil]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187154302551?_skw=mk1+transit&itmmeta=01JTAJDD5P32EMSFB4MD4FJ2BF&hash=item2b93440657%3Ag%3ARO8AAOSw7lFnIlRc&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fc7pc4gEEhqC3zKZDtMbZQrqtyZABdoSjyPOVy0UfA9sUp1M8E%2BBB2Pb5XUTmoRshYEkcYOKUhI65QB7bcFx1r9FXxZJrJIXiPCA2XaYgLmkyy%2BDXU11%2FuSj%2B%2B0CdcROyUIHl74bWWA%2FMt5JkxHxyZBZ57x2duRaP0Hioty9b3DUvkD4JjPVqBMJ%2FSEcyePArfmGoPStOeykOm4XVX0IOaJHu8GpukRVVhG272716sLJcWTvqizA2%2Fgegv5bOZ1Vs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4DTtdLSZQ&keyword=mk1+transit&sacat=29751&relatedSearch=true

if you read the ad for it it says ;;for peace of mind it will come with a new mot,, that wont qualify for mot exempt the running gears too new they cant be altered in the last 30 years ..... yes i have a v6 transit smooth and quiet

[Viva_65]

ahh okay, i didn't read it like that.

okay things are getting clearer for me thankyou

[Viva_65]

Hello, Im about change both kingpins in my mk1 camper, i have allot of up and down movement.

I would like to get all the tools ready before i start, ive read i need a adjustable reamer for the bushing. Does anyone know what size range that reamer needs to be?

Also if my bushes are okay will i get away with just replacing bearing? or am i most like to damage the pins on removal. Thanks in advance

[jww9999]

the v6 will be heavier on fuel,, but nicer all round the mk 1 v6 was carb and not efi so it might affect its mot exempt status ?

If the Mk3 Transit is an earlier Mk3 with the 3L V6 Essex (Carb), then my understanding is that it is the same as the V6 as found in the Mk1/Mk2.
Therefore, it will be considered an "alternative original equipment" engine and so the MOT Exemption still stands if you went down the route of swapping to the Essex V6.

However, if it is the later 2.9L V6 (EFI) then no that isn't an "alternative original equipment" engine and therefore it would impact MOT Exemption (or at least that is my understanding ).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187154302551?_skw=mk1+transit&itmmeta=01JTAJDD5P32EMSFB4MD4FJ2BF&hash=item2b93440657%3Ag%3ARO8AAOSw7lFnIlRc&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fc7pc4gEEhqC3zKZDtMbZQrqtyZABdoSjyPOVy0UfA9sUp1M8E%2BBB2Pb5XUTmoRshYEkcYOKUhI65QB7bcFx1r9FXxZJrJIXiPCA2XaYgLmkyy%2BDXU11%2FuSj%2B%2B0CdcROyUIHl74bWWA%2FMt5JkxHxyZBZ57x2duRaP0Hioty9b3DUvkD4JjPVqBMJ%2FSEcyePArfmGoPStOeykOm4XVX0IOaJHu8GpukRVVhG272716sLJcWTvqizA2%2Fgegv5bOZ1Vs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4DTtdLSZQ&keyword=mk1+transit&sacat=29751&relatedSearch=true

Based on DVLA exemption rules this absolutely isn't an "alternative original equipment" engine so should not be exempt from the MOT.

Historic tax exemption on the other hand is completely separate to the MOT exemption and given that all Mk1s are in excess of 40 years old, that won't change under the current rules

[Viva_65]

okay, from what my brother is saying its the 2.9 cologne efi with the mk3 transit engine mounts and adaptor plates to run the diesel gearbox

There is a section where the DVLA say "axles and running gear have been changed to improve efficiency safety or environmental performance" will not be counted as substancial change. Thats pretty vague. But putting injection on a engine can be argued to improve efficiency.
and environmental performance

Also another paragraph saids "they are changes of a type that can be demonstrated to have been made when vehicles of the type were in production or within 10 years of the end of production" Cologne injection came out in 1986.

Im not putting this to debate anything but to have things more clear, as it seems that any changes you make are at the owner discretion reading these guidelines. There is a contact list of specific owners club. I will put the question out there to see if any other classic cars have had a injection conversion and see if there owners claim MOT exemption. Worst case scenario is i have to run carbs i guess.

[Ralph.9]

Your biggest problem will be changing the V5 from diesel to petrol, when I changed my MK2 from Di to Pinto the DVLA wanted an invoice for the engine to prove where it came from & then an engineers report once I had done the conversion & then they inspected it.

[Viva_65]

Ahh thats interesting i though that side of things would be simple enough. I will keep that in mind that its a long process for that.

To be honest i havent checked my current engine numbers ro know if the DI thats in there now has been changed on the logbook.

I had a look again and a few MG owners convert there cars to injection and still class it as historical.

If anything the v6 is closer to original equipment than the 2.5DI i have in there at the moment based on what years the DI was produced.

thanks for the advice