Suggest me an engine.

[cros]

The engine and gearbox in my Bedford van are in a very knackered state and scratching around for a replacement or parts to mend them has not been fruitful.

Faced with a similar dilemma with my 1937 Morris, which came with a too powerful Ital engine, I fitted a Minor unit which was more in keeping and does the job well without costing much, this being an important factor.

I don't want to chop vehicles about, preferring to keep any mods reversible. Within those parameters, (which eliminates V8s and gas turbines) I'd welcome any ideas. I wouldn't rule out electric propulsion except on the grounds of cost and poor range; there's plenty of room under the floor so maybe EV lickers can put up a case for a potato and curly wires living there.

There's no point in overpowering old heaps like this- it's a big advantage to keep things as light as possible to save uprating brakes and final drives, you don't want me running into you.

[eddyramrod]

What Bedford is it?

[sierraman]

If it's a HA probably something out of a Chevette would do.

[eddyramrod]

Agreed; but may be almost as hard to find these days.  In fact any RWD application is going to be a bit of an ask. 

Ford Zetec?  MX5?  Both too powerful really. 

Pinto?  Also too powerful, and too heavy, and beloved of Escort lickers. 

Suzuki Samurai/Jimny?  There is a real possibility for you.  Available down to 1.3 so shouldn't be too hard on a HA chassis, but also bigger versions available in case we're looking at a CA.  Also, not too advanced on the ECU front so shouldn't be too difficult to wire up.  NB: This comment is based on pure guesswork as I have never attempted such a conversion.

[Cleon-Fonte]

1.6 HDi.

[castros_bro]

TUD3

[Stanky]

Reliant 700/850cc engine and box from a rebel/kitten?

[Junkman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Stag-Engine-Automatic-Gearbox-Previously-Driven-Pls-see-Description-/232315835541

[alf892]

1600 straight six from a Vitesse? - not to much power but nice smooth lugger. Not sure what supply would be like though

[Bren]

Slant 4 2279 out of victor? Only snag is they are harder to find than a sincere politician.

[trigger]

It's the first time that I've seen a Ital engine referred to being too powerful! You'll probably get something like a C16NZ from a knackered old Astra to fit.

[holbeck]

Bedford PC? so a large, cast iron, upright 1.2 litre 34bhp four cyl OHV engine ?

 

I think I'd be looking for an ex Sherpa, single carb B series engine.

 

Better still:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/austin-somerset-engine-/302295565014?hash=item46623842d6:g:oSQAAOSw5UZY~7Ti

 

 

1200cc B series gold seal engine currently £75 no bids!

 

 

[cros]

Suzuki as in Rascal might be possible. My Bedford is a PC with column change. I vaguely remember the Rascal has cable gears, something might be feasible for '5 on the tree' effect.

I'd not thought of TU engines, but now you mention it I seem to remember someone had a diesel one in a Minor though no idea what they used for a gearbox.

Chevette or old Viva hard to find and weren't very nice but not out of the question.

On the Jimmy front I'm fairly sure the gearbox would be short- I think the transfer box is remote. The PC needs something with decent tail shaft as being quite a long wheelbase the propshaft is worryingly lengthy. Not out the question to put a centre bearing in though.

[Stanky]

^^^ just down the road from me too if you want it collecting/storing for a bit?

[eddyramrod]

What Bedford is it?

OK, now I've seen the thread about it.  I stand by my suggestion of Suzuki, with the addition of the word Vitara.  You should be able to pick up an engine and box out of one of the three models mentioned, they're all plentiful enough.  You might even get a whole car to strip.

 

Good luck!

[cros]

Slant 4 2279 out of victor? Only snag is they are harder to find than a sincere politician.

Not enough room. I had a few problems getting a 2.5 transit into a C type Morris Commercial, (much larger but chassis rails get in the way) though it would feel right to use a related engine. I know it's a bit tenuous, but that was what appealed about a Rascal. Reliant is too small- even though the PC only had 35 bhp from its 1500cc torque was quite healthy.

[rainagain]

What about the little Vauxhall 3 cylinder engine? Its very small and light. Should be plenty kicking about from dead corsas

[Lacquer Peel]

Experimental GM two-stroke X8 engine would be my first choice.

I wonder if the PSA motors in engine conversions use a Suzuki gearbox, some Vitaras use XUDs, and LDV used XUDs and DW8s in the Pilot/200 of course.

1.7 Isuzu NA diesel out of a rusty Corsa would be good if you want to keep it in the GM family.

[cros]

1600 straight six from a Vitesse? - not to much power but nice smooth lugger. Not sure what supply would be like though

I've seen a picture of a PC with the Velox 6 cylinder in so it's do-able. Would need a change of diff, not impossible but hard to find.

Re the B series, I have a 1.8 and O/D gearbox, but am feeling a bit perverse having done a few conversions using these. I like 'em but so many more modern designs make them look a bit of a lazy and heavy choice.

[eddyramrod]

As I was saying....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GRAND-VITARA-SPARES-OR-REPAIR-SALVAGE-NOT-NON-RUNNER-4WD-2003-LWB-5-DOOR-/222486910597?hash=item33cd40d685:g:fAMAAOSwvihY~jZw

Looks like it's had a bit of a smack to the NSF.  It's in Darlington, where are you?

[panhard65]

I have got a MG Midget 1500 engine and gearbox sitting here. It had trouble keep blowing head gaskets so could do with having the block decked and a head re-face. The gearbox is an unknown but a set of bearings isn't a lot of money. I should also have all the bits to bolt onto it carbs alternator etc. It would be cheap.

[lisbon_road]

I have a 1978 1800cc Vauxhall slant engine which might do.  30K miles since rebore, been dry stored, so should be ok though not been turned in a while.  Doesn't include cam carrier or cam. 

[junkyarddog]

2.4 diesel engine from a 1980's Toyota Hiace with matching column change 5spd gearbox.

 

May be difficult to find one though.

[omegod]

If you want to go the whole hog I've a 4cyl 2.2 omega with an autobox and working LPG you could slot in, RWD too

[Squire_Dawson]

Jowett Javelin flat four plus gearbox would allow you to keep the column change. Otherwise would be leaning towards the BMC unit as suggested.

[cros]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Stag-Engine-Automatic-Gearbox-Previously-Driven-Pls-see-Description-/232315835541

Given that people have been known to re-engine Stags with the dreadful Ford V4, this V8 must be the most perverse thing anyone could possibly fit this side of a wanked wankel. I'll give it some thought.

[Asimo]

Bedford Rascal: important to keep it in the family. It will fit and the power and gearing are probably not too far off the original.

[cros]

2.4 diesel engine from a 1980's Toyota Hiace with matching column change 5spd gearbox.

 

May be difficult to find one though.

Neat idea, column change especially appealing. Would probably be nice and compact. Bit heavy though and rear axle would probably not handle torque.

[DodgeRover]

Perkins 4108 nobody usually accuses them of being overly powerful

[Lankytim]

XUD diesel engine and box from an LDV Pilot would be a good choice I think. Not glacial and go pretty well. Weld up the prop and off you go.