1986 Defender 90

[jamesrose]

Hi all,

A friend of mine has offered me a 1986 defender 90 fitted with a 2.5 petrol engine.

Is the petrol engine a complete no no on these cars ? Is it worth switching it out for a diesel ?
I would plan to use the car for a bit of towing up to about 2 tons.

I know it's a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but what are these things worth in reasonable condition ?

[Lefty]

That engine is strong and surprisingly flexible but it would be a bit gutless for towing 2 tonnes.

200tdi engines are cheap and plentiful. If the 90 has a decent chassis and bulkhead it might be worth a punt and you'd find a tdi-engined 90 much easier to sell on in the future and will get more £ for it...

[cpas]

jamesrose said:

Hi all,

A friend of mine has offered me a 1986 defender 90 fitted with a 2.5 petrol engine.

Is the petrol engine a complete no no on these cars ? Is it worth switching it out for a diesel ?
I would plan to use the car for a bit of towing up to about 2 tons.

I know it's a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but what are these things worth in reasonable condition ?

The engines are not that bad, but it would be worth considering a swap to a 200TDi if you do a fair bit of mileage. 200TDi Discos are fairly cheap if MOT failures so are a good source of engines (although slightly different to a Defender engine). BTW a 1986 90 is not actually a Defender, just a 90 and arguably worth less than a true Defender.

[camel_landy]

Yeah, it is a decent work horse.

It'll never be quick off the mark but it'll chug on all day!

M

[cpas]

Sorry, meant to say it might be worth spending £1000 more for a 200TDi in the first place than having the hassle of doing the job yourself.

[jamesrose]

Here is the car....asking price is 1500. Whats the verdict ? Worth a punt or give it a wide berth ?

Edited by jamesrose on Tuesday 24th January 11:23

[West4x4]

The petrol will be fine, bit gutless at times with hills and heavier loads (up towards 3 ton and above) but they pull well. Be a bit thirsty but don't think you have to have a tdi unless your doing lots and lots of miles

[Lefty]

Can't see the pics?

If she's basically sound (chassis and bulkhead) then £1500 is a decent price. Things like door bottoms, sills, footwells etc rust like buggery can be easily and cheaply replaced.

[R12HCO]

Looks a good buy. I dont know the power of the engine, but i cant see it being too bad.

I have a 2.0 mpi disco and every single person I meet tells me how crap it is and how they have no power and should of got a 200/300 tdi instead.

It has 20 more bhp than the diesel variant, it is just the power is higher up in the rev range. I used to have a 200 tdi with fuel pump/boost wound up and it went ok but it would still loose out to the petrol if going for it. I havent towed properly (all i have done is pull someone out on off road sites) so i dont know how it would be with weight on that back. The reason i say this as you might find your self in the same situation with the 90.

[jamesrose]

Thanks for the info guys, photos edited so they actually work !

[Lefty]

Looks pretty good, get underneath with a little hammer and have a bloody good look at the chassis. But, to be honest, even with a poor chassis that's worth £1500 any day.

Bulkhead looks good, even the doors don't look too bad. Gearbox making any nasty noises?

[lost in espace]

Its probably worth a fair bit more as parts to be honest! Looks a good buy, but I would say the suggestion of a tdi swap is a very good idea.

[Lefty]

Tdi engines are easily available for <£500. Not sure if the 2.5 petrol uses the LT77 box? If so, straight swap. Different mounts probably.

With a tdi in it I'd say that would sell for ~£3k, possibly more, depending on the condition and spec of the rest of it.

Nice basis for a working vehicle or project though.

[shunter V8]

It will not be great for towing heavy loads but they are a good plodder,and for that money you can't go wrong i would buy it.

[budrover]

looks half decent for £1500.... grab it and run ....you will always get your money back on it !

It is possible to tune the 2.5ltr petrol engine.

http://www.automotivecomp.com/landrover_perf.html

[cpas]

Definitely worth a punt, and possibly look for a donor engine in the future.

[RV8]

Looks a bargain to me. Check out the bulkhead and the chassis- the outriggers mainly - rear x member looks solid but these can be deceiving. The little petrol engine is alright imo, they sound a bit like postman pats van for some reason and they are perfectly adequate. I have a 3.5 V8 and you could always stick a different engine in it.
I say go for it, I paid around 3.5k for mine and it was just a punt really, I figured I'd keep it for a while and if it wasn't right for me I would flog it, but I love it and I started spending money on it and doing bits and bobs myself. You'll not lose much, if anything, even if you were to strip it to sell it at that money.

[300bhp/ton]

jamesrose said:

Hi all,

A friend of mine has offered me a 1986 defender 90 fitted with a 2.5 petrol engine.

Is the petrol engine a complete no no on these cars ? Is it worth switching it out for a diesel ?
I would plan to use the car for a bit of towing up to about 2 tons.

I know it's a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but what are these things worth in reasonable condition ?

1986 and Defender do not go together. What you have there is a Ninety

[cpas]

300bhp/ton said:

jamesrose said:

Hi all,

A friend of mine has offered me a 1986 defender 90 fitted with a 2.5 petrol engine.

Is the petrol engine a complete no no on these cars ? Is it worth switching it out for a diesel ?
I would plan to use the car for a bit of towing up to about 2 tons.

I know it's a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but what are these things worth in reasonable condition ?

1986 and Defender do not go together. What you have there is a Ninety

That's what I said above

[kourgath]

My '85 90 had a 2.5 petrol in it. Good old engine, rev'd pretty sweetly (relative to LR's). Replaced by a 3.5 V8 auto because I wanted a V8 (it is now 4.6L). Got a regular 18mpg out of it with some faster stretches and town traffic driving. Sold it on for £450 once the V8 went in. There is a market for the Series owners to stick the 2.5 in rather than rebuild a 2.25.

I know the guy who has it now and after a further 12 years it is still running perfectly fine.

Towing was OK as well but it would slow considerably on the steep hills. A 2/300tdi conversion would help on the fuel bills (24ish)and towing but even they slow on the steep hills once you get 3+ tonnes behind them (the 4.6 doesn't really - you just can't pass a petrol station )