Re-engine a Bedford CF ?
Discussion
Hope this is the right place to ask advice on a suitable modern engine and gearbox for my 1983 Bedford CF 250 camper van... I need reliability and economy (NOT performance) and it has to be automatic, and run on petrol because of Bonkers Boris's Low Emission Zone.
I've been pondering sourcing the necessary from a Vauxhall Omega 1.8, 2.0 or 2.2 but they are thirsty.....also BMW E46 318i. Or are there any affordable Japanese rear wheel drivetrains that would be even better ?
All advice gratefully received!
I've been pondering sourcing the necessary from a Vauxhall Omega 1.8, 2.0 or 2.2 but they are thirsty.....also BMW E46 318i. Or are there any affordable Japanese rear wheel drivetrains that would be even better ?
All advice gratefully received!
Even with a diesel you'll struggle to get much more than 30mpg from something with that size and weight. The cost of re-engining would buy you a lot of petrol!
How about an LPG conversion of the engine you have already?
This is an interesting thread:
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ge...
Your cheapest engine swap option would probably be to buy something like this, but rusted out:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-VAUXHALL-FRONTERA-2...
and nick the engine and LPG kit.
How about an LPG conversion of the engine you have already?
This is an interesting thread:
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ge...
Your cheapest engine swap option would probably be to buy something like this, but rusted out:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-VAUXHALL-FRONTERA-2...
and nick the engine and LPG kit.
Thanks for taking the time to contribute some interesting ideas, guys. I will do some research and report back on what I come up with.
Just to clarify, I already run petrol and a simple carb-fed LPG - and even on gas I get as little as 11.9 mpg round town ! I take the point about the cost of an engine swop - but being a pessimist about energy prices and wanting to keep the van long term, I think it may be worth the investment - with greater rel iabilityinto the bargain. Does anyone know if the van would have to pass the MOT emissions test for the transplanted engine, or would the emissions standards remain the same ?
Just to clarify, I already run petrol and a simple carb-fed LPG - and even on gas I get as little as 11.9 mpg round town ! I take the point about the cost of an engine swop - but being a pessimist about energy prices and wanting to keep the van long term, I think it may be worth the investment - with greater rel iabilityinto the bargain. Does anyone know if the van would have to pass the MOT emissions test for the transplanted engine, or would the emissions standards remain the same ?
Emissions standards are applied according to which is older, engine or vehicle:
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_730.htm
so you'd have nothing to worry about.
From what you've said, I'd have thought the 16v 2.2 Vauxhall lump on lpg would be the best choice. Modern engine design with relatively cheap conversion costs. If you keep an eye of Ebay you'll find a donor vehicle like that Frontera fairly easily, I'd have thought.
How low is your rear axle ratio? Worth playing around with, or already done?
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_730.htm
so you'd have nothing to worry about.
From what you've said, I'd have thought the 16v 2.2 Vauxhall lump on lpg would be the best choice. Modern engine design with relatively cheap conversion costs. If you keep an eye of Ebay you'll find a donor vehicle like that Frontera fairly easily, I'd have thought.
How low is your rear axle ratio? Worth playing around with, or already done?
The simplest solution I can think of off the top of my head is to fit an 80's or early 90's Merc 603 six cylinder diesel. Most came with four speed autos too. I'd imagine an easy installation, especially from a wiring & fuelling aspect (important) plus of course those engines & g/boxes are bulletproof, there available too.
Back in the eighties a common transplant was to the Rover 3.5 V8. It's petrol, loads still out there and a lot available with auto's. A good one with a ' box should cost you £500, the work is up to you. More economical than you might think. You could ask on www.rodsnsods.co.uk as quite a few of the guys on there will have carried out this conversion.
When you are chosing the engine to fit you need to consider the all up weight of the van. All commercial engined dirivatives had very heavy flywheels to ensure a smooth take off. The rover conversion was popular as they used a range rover flywheel/torque convertor which gave the necessary weight. The transit engine is a good shout but the auto is rare and fuel wise it will drink it like a glaswegien alcholic. Another option would be to rebuild the exsisting engine but use fuel injection which will make it a lot better.
A lot here haven't read the OP where he rules OUT diesels because of LEZ compliance.
I think a SD1 spec RV8 lump would be a good choice, especially if you can get a higher ratio diff. Set up for torque it should be pretty economical, better than the 2.3 OHC lump I had in one of these. The other option would be a late sierra Pinto with injection.
I think a SD1 spec RV8 lump would be a good choice, especially if you can get a higher ratio diff. Set up for torque it should be pretty economical, better than the 2.3 OHC lump I had in one of these. The other option would be a late sierra Pinto with injection.
CF1 or 2 ?
the CF2 used the CIH engine not the slant 4, not a great engine either but worth a look ? i think the floor is differant on the CF2 to take the CIH but not sure ?
V8 and straight 6s will require floor mods i would think? a granada with a 2.0 or a later bugeye with a 2.3 will mainly be on auto boxes and are ok on fuel, the early granny 2.0 twinks have a seperate engine loom that makes wiring in easyer (not sure about the later looms though), in a transit they will do 25+ round town, TBH i can't see many carb fed engines returning more than 20 but it that.s enough a pinto will drop in easy enough.
the CF2 used the CIH engine not the slant 4, not a great engine either but worth a look ? i think the floor is differant on the CF2 to take the CIH but not sure ?
V8 and straight 6s will require floor mods i would think? a granada with a 2.0 or a later bugeye with a 2.3 will mainly be on auto boxes and are ok on fuel, the early granny 2.0 twinks have a seperate engine loom that makes wiring in easyer (not sure about the later looms though), in a transit they will do 25+ round town, TBH i can't see many carb fed engines returning more than 20 but it that.s enough a pinto will drop in easy enough.
This old Le Mans thread may be of interest... 
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=350...
Paul
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=350...
Paul
Hello again and more thanks to those who have given this some thought and expertise.
The van is a CF 1 - and I think the suggestion to go for injection to facilitate a better LPG performance is good advice.
A V8 would be nice but it worries me for its size, its cost in injected form, and the not least the higher cost of insurance.
So I think it is eaither a Vauxhall 2.2 donor car or how about a Ford Scorpio - probably the 2.3 16 V DOHC with auto ?
Any views gratefully received !
The van is a CF 1 - and I think the suggestion to go for injection to facilitate a better LPG performance is good advice.
A V8 would be nice but it worries me for its size, its cost in injected form, and the not least the higher cost of insurance.
So I think it is eaither a Vauxhall 2.2 donor car or how about a Ford Scorpio - probably the 2.3 16 V DOHC with auto ?
Any views gratefully received !
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