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May 18, 2014 21:14:15 GMT
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Hi classic fans out there. I've got a cracking 1977 Bedford cf ambulance which has a solid 2.3 petrol engine in it and I'm wanting to convert the ambulance into a camper. Would you recommend me changing over the engine for a diesel alternative and if so, what engine ?? And were can I get one?? My cousin stuck a 2.5 tranny banana engine in his late 74 let land version and seems to work a treat. Any other recommendations? I'm looking at travelling around uk and Europe eventually so needs to be solid, reliable, and hit a motor way comfortable doing 60-70mph?
thanks everyone!!
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May 18, 2014 22:01:48 GMT
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LPG is cheap in Europe as well as UK so have you thought of that option if the current 2.3 is sound ?
Paul
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May 18, 2014 22:08:23 GMT
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Chrysler 318 v8 + LPG, or the factory fit Holden 6 cyl 3.3 both of them will probably give better economy than the 2.3, 2.5di from a transit is not a straight forward conversion.
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v8ian
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,765
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May 18, 2014 22:19:16 GMT
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Small block chev and auto,
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Atmo V8 Power . No slicks , No gas + No bits missing . Doing it in style.
Austin A35van, very different------- but still doing it in style, going to be a funmoble
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May 19, 2014 22:25:05 GMT
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thanks for the input so far everyone. Interesting views. I live in the Isle of Man and they ain't heard of LPG over here so abit stuck for a few country camping trips if we take that option.
Were can I get a manual to learn about me ambulance etc. Taking old engine out this weekend if anyone wants a spare. The good 2.3 came with the ambulance but is in the back so decision time..old petrol engine in or find an alternative?? Mmm
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May 20, 2014 22:35:00 GMT
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Do you have the big orange bottles of propane? Its the same stuff minus the road fuel duty, an upside down bottle will draw liquid rather than gas, or you could buy a transfer pump. For the amount of miles you are going to be doing is it worth while worrying about the fuel consumption that much to go to the trouble of fitting another engine?
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Stick with the engine you have if its in good condition.
Another consideration will be insurance if you change engines.
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May 21, 2014 10:26:08 GMT
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I might be interested in the spare 2.3 if it's going (depending on price of course), but (a) I'm some distance away, and (b) my car is way too small to carry a 2.3 slant four in.
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May 21, 2014 21:15:16 GMT
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I had exactly the same vehicle, which I converted into a caravanette. It was flat out at 60 mph so I bought an overdrive gearbox from a Vauxhall saloon (Magnum I think?) and just shortened the prop to fit. It cruised at 70 then and was much more economical. The original engine is reliable and torquey. There were some diesel engines that also fit but were quite flat running (no turbos).
Mike
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Life without spanners is no life!
Rover 414 SLI
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May 25, 2014 10:18:02 GMT
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Cheers mike, they did a Diesel engine for the ambulance called a Perkins engine I think. Any grunt in them? I like the idea of converting into a diesel because I hope it will last longer ye see. Low maintenance , economical etc
Want it to be able to go around Europe without the aid of the AA and get home again. The TT is on at the mo so everything is on hold till after a fortnight.
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May 26, 2014 16:14:44 GMT
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The original CF Perkins is dog slow ancient technology + uses a different crossmember, not sure what the Opel version was like.
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May 26, 2014 19:03:28 GMT
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The original CF Perkins is dog slow ancient technology + uses a different crossmember, not sure what the Opel version was like. Dog slow but 100% reliable and will pull anything anywhere. |
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Life without spanners is no life!
Rover 414 SLI
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May 26, 2014 19:14:09 GMT
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Wasn't it the 1800cc Perkins in the early swb cf? It would struggle to pull the skin off rice pudding let alone hold 60 all day on the motorway. Don't know if there was a larger variant installed but in reality it's a 40 year old design and is going to get constantly pushed to is limits keeping up with modern traffic speeds. Fast response ambulances got the Holden 6 cylinder petrol, I doubt there were any diesels.
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Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
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May 26, 2014 19:27:10 GMT
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To be honest I don't see the point of faffing about trying to fit engines that will probably be no more efficient than what you already have,
Surely you want to go and find a LDV Derv, pull out the engine, box and anything else you think you are going to need and fit it.
Its a fairly compact lump, should fit the CF easily, it will already be in RWD form, its tuneable and can be had turbo'd.
Win, win, win and win.
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Last Edit: May 26, 2014 19:27:49 GMT by Rob M
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