February Running Report

The only work I have done since the last report is to fit an 82oC thermostat instead of the old MoD spec 74oC unit.  I had been using the lower temperature thermostat because, before the rebuild, the engine struggled to stay cool on steep hills in high gear.  Since the rebuild, the temperature gauge needle wouldn’t rise above 1/5th of the way into the “normal” arc.  I had concerns over a mismatch between the new gauge and the sender, but fitting the 82o thermostat now puts the needle exactly in the m iddle of the normal arc, and is rock steady throughout the drive, just like the oil temperature needle.  Whether the improved temperature control is down to the oil cooler, 2″ exhaust, new rocker gear or timing I don’t know.
The engine still started instantly in the recent cold weather (-4oC), despite being stood unused for a week.  That said, it really struggles with the incresed weight and is very slow to accelerate when cold.  The timing may be off a little – it was done with the timing tools when the new belt was fitted, but may need a fraction of retardation to get it just right.

The engine does struggle a bit more than before the rebuild, probably through the increase in vehicle weight.  I have been paying a bit more thought to it’s future replacement.  I still have a 19J (2.5TD) in the garage for the job, but it would need rebuilding first.  A discussion on a forum got me thinking about fitting a 200Tdi instead.  Now, this is something I have always been against on principle because it has too much torque for a Series transmission.  I’m now considering fitting a Tdi without an intercooler and turning down the fuel pump corespondingly.  This would make installation easier and would also reduce the torque and power by about 15%.   The advantage of a detuned Tdi over a 19J would include better MPG, quiter operation, improved robustness (especially the injector pump when using VegOil). It all depends on whether the Tdi would fit behind the Series III rad, and whether that rad and the military oil cooler would be sufficient.  I don’t want to fit a Tdi rad infront of the  SIII grille panel as it would need special bracketry and plumbing and would be more vulnerable than the current fit.
Whichever engine I go for, i think it’ll be a while before I get a chance to do it – I’ve started work on totally replacing my kitchen (including moving three walls and remodelling the roof), am completing the refit of my garage (now plumbed, well lit, heated, painted and with proper storage and a work bench), and in the summer I’ll be doing a loft conversion.  Then the majority of the house will need redecorating from the work!