It all happened rather last minute but I picked the truck up today from a weekend's new engine swap in. It's good to have it back. So here's an update for you kids.....

I wasn't around to take photo's of the engine as it came out so I cannot report on what exactly was the cause. Also as it was all done rather last minute dissecting the old engine wasn't top of the list. It seems on initial glances and experience of the guys that did it that it was the bearings, causing it to throw a rod through the block. Which is what caused my oil explosion. Thankfully and importantly though, no sign of oil thickening from veg.

Now, even though I am running the engine in right now I can IMMEDIATELY tell that the engine is smoother, quieter and tighter than my old one, which had done 120,000miles. I know plenty of you have gone much further with a 2.5 so I don't think it was mileage that killed it, rather maybe just a hard worked worn out engine. Once again even though I am limited to 2,500 revs it does pull easier, less effort and less throttle when compared to my old engine. Can't wait until it's run in so that I can compare on open throttle. This all tells me that my old engine was simply tired, which no doubt was the primary cause of the failure. As any failure is. And I added another 25,000 miles of hard work to it by hauling around half a tonne like I do. This thought is added to when you consider that I drove my Dad's truck the other day (Y reg, 2.5TD, 140,000miles) and I was shocked at how much better it pulled than mine used too!!! Once again it was smoother and quieter than mine was too. If I had not known it was cable throttle I would have sworn my Dad's truck had been chipped. In fact I even lifted the bonnet to look at the injection pump again to make sure it wasn't FBW! Such is the difference between his and my old one. NOW, although being limited to 2,500 revs, my new engine feels much more like his does. So I don't think mileage is the reason here, more what the engine has been doing it's whole life. It was owned from new by a Motorbike showroom who used it to move bikes around the country, so I'm assuming it did a lot of towing. Last owner didn't do much mileage with it at all but since being in my ownership it gets worked again. Albeit looked after.

So that's my general conclusion, tired worn out hard worked engine that was likely to go bang sooner or later.

Now, all this considered, I am happy to be back on the road but not happy to stick with the 2.5 long term. I clearly work it too hard. Spoken at length with Dad and he's happy for me to take what ever I want from the Triton to do the V6 conversion if I want to. This would include rebuilding the V6 to take it down to a zero miles engine. I'd sell the veg kit and fit HHO to the V6. Problem is storage, I don''t have anywhere to put the V6 if we take it out the Triton and the truck has to get off my drive sooner or later. But still, it's an option that if worked out I could plan properly and get everything ready and done over the next year. In a way it seems silly to let that engine go when it's right there waiting for me.....

Other option is I stick with mine and sell it in a year and just buy a V6 or a 2.8 import. But that would be a shame given what I've done to it so far. Dad would be happy to have mine which is a tad nicer than his (and now with a new engine) we sell his and then I buy a V6 truck. But again, I lose what I've done to mine.

Then there's the diesel engine swaps (new 2.5, 2.8 or 3.2)..... I'd love either of them. But would mean buying a donor vehicle when I have a V6 here, and potentially are more complicated as no one knows if the 2.5 or 3.2 will plug and play.

I'm going to fit the W.I. and still do the snorkel and arches. But I'll stop modding the truck there until I figure out which way to go. If I had a garage this would be so simple.

Lez, Billy or anyone else that can.... could you confirm through your data base whether the V6 will bolt up to the gearbox? That would be a start......

Happy to be on the road, but more determined than ever to have a better engine

Good news, Luke best of luck with the new engine!

And I look forward to hearing of your next grand plans...!

V6 it Luke! You know you want to!
Glad your all back up and running again

glad to hear your back on the road and initially sorted luke

pleased to hear you have got it sorted Luke, should be good for another 100,000 now at least.

Nice one Luke pleased you are back on the road
And sorted
keep reading to see what you are going to do next with interest
again well done Luke

yeah! good news man! so much to do, so little time!

Nice to hear that its fit for fight again mate.

Great news. I know mine felt a lot quieter after the engine rebuild. Well done

it might not have been plan A or plan B but at least plan C has worked out OK for you bud, bet your mind is working overtime thinking about your next plan of action now eh? It sounds like Tonka may be your man for supplying you an engine with plenty of power but it may require a few mods to make it fit an L200 ........... and it may be a bit expensive

I've missed a lot on this forum lately, what's Tonka up to then?

Thing is the V6 will go in. I've got it and I don't have to do pay anything for it. It's got an Lpg conversion, ECU, wiring, fuel pump, tank, lines, mounts, ... it's all there. Maybe I have to buy a new box. But other than that and a rebuild of the engine the costs are quite low for it. Hire of an engine hoist. I was so determined to stay on veg. But to be honest the V6 on lpg with HHO will still do well.

If I get the engine out I'm thinking maybe I can store it here in parts - take the sump and heads off. Not so big then. Put the rest of what I need into boxes. Rebuild the engine in my own time. Pistons, rings, rods, shells, bearings, gaskets, have the heads tested ... the whole works.... as long as the block is sound it's all good for a rebuild.

I'm starting to think I'm stupid not too..... and it's such an easy engine to tune.

have we someone in the club thats used hho in a petrol engine before, i know we have seen big gains for geoff but thats diesel, may not see the massive improvements you hope for with a petrol, look before you leap mate

Hydrogen aside, I think your doing the right thing going with the V6, going with a non standard engine is perhaps okay for a project / second vehicle, but as yours is a daily works motor it makes so much more sense in terms of financial, maintainence and reliability to keep it simple.
Personally if considering going down the V6 route, I'd flog the truck you have as its never going to be as sellable as it is now with its new engine and veg conversion, besides your box (if it fits) will be completely different ratios I'd imagine your diff will be the same, and buy a factory V6 and build your spare engine at your leisure, I put what looks to be a tidy V6 into the Ebay finds thread

Quote: Yoda wrote in post #13

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I've missed a lot on this forum lately, what's Tonka up to then?

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GB, selling mine is an option. I had thought of that. But the rebuild / conversion would be number one for me after what I've done to mine. They did do a 5 speed manual v6. So, putting 2 and 2 together...., could be the same box. Billy is going to check for me. Otherwise I don't min putting a new box in. Only extends life doesn't it. I'm in no rush any more with a zero miles 2.5 on board. Costs could be quite low really.... If I buy a V6 truck I only have to sped on all the mods again. Though I do agree the V6 is the obvious solution.

As for HHO on petrol, I'm willing to take that gamble. Basil did and it paid off. Principle is the same. Of it doesnt work sure I won't have problems selling it in here. V6's do 30mpg anyway, plus LPG ain't bad is it. Can always transfer WI across and see if that helps mpg too. He who dares wins.......

Glad your back on the road matey, Like treeboa says iv read that the HHo kit works much much better on diesel engines for some reason. WOuld you still put the WI into the v6?

Glad to here you have it all sorted now mate. But i sence you feel a bit like me, lost a bit of faith in the 2.5 engine. Why don´t you rent a small lock-up to do up the V6, sell it. Then buy 2.8 import & swap over the parts from your truck to the new one, then sell your old one!

Just a thought

Mint to hear you're back on the road, Luke.
Also dead happy it wasn't vegetarianism that killed it!
I can't wait to see where your next engine goes but if you are going petrol, I think it should (with a few extra alternators) be possible to run 100% HHO.... Challenge?

Nice one Luke its a real bummer not having a truck to drive. Glad your back on the road (off road) Hope you decide quickly your options.

Quote: diggermandan wrote in post #20

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...Also dead happy it wasn't vegetarianism that killed it!

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Quote: Yoda wrote in post #1

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Lez, Billy or anyone else that can.... could you confirm through your data base whether the V6 will bolt up to the gearbox? That would be a start......

Happy to be on the road, but more determined than ever to have a better engine

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Er, no idea Fatboy. Its a thought eh! If you check wikipedia it shows that the truck came with a 2.5 and 2.8 diesel and 3.0 litre petrol. But only lists two gear boxes. 5 speed manual and 4 speed auto. So you see where my thought patterns are going. But hey, maybe the bell housing ARE interchangeable like you say!

Raj, Yes. Why not eh! WI is mostly used in performance engines and the 6G72 engine is just that. After all, if the V6 goes ahead the target is no longer 200bhp, but 300bhp. Still, 300 less than GB mind!

Diggerman, last time I saw Mythbusters try it they couldn't produce enough hydrogen to go 100%. But hey, never say no!

Joinerdan..... an option yes. But not gonna do it. The whole reason I've got the V6 engine and ancileries for free is because my Dad is taking my new 2.5 when the conversion is done. So he benefits too. Otherwise the engine would have been sold. That's really the only reason this has suddenly become an option to me. It's a shame to leave veg but given the choice between buying a doner vehicle and having an engine given to me, I'll take the latter.

Yeah, good piont, always good to look after your dad. I worked with my dad for many years & the things he has done for me, it´s always feels so good when you can do something in return.

Well whatever engine route you go down, hope it goes smoothly. You´ve had enough headaches. Glad your mobile again