diesel engine conversion...minilites... spots...

mike7 · Oct 2nd, 2006, 21:42

Hi Guys,
just wondering if anyone has installed a diesel engine of some sort into an Amazon, and if so how was it done? I might be looking to try this in the future if I ever find a rat Amazon to try it on.
I also fancy a set of minilite wheels for my 122S. Where is the best place to try and find some?
Finally, fancy a pair of spots for above. What would be the ones to keep the car fairly in the 60's-70's period and again, where to find them?

cheers,Mike

TomG · Oct 2nd, 2006, 22:58

don't understand why anyone would want to put a diesel IN a car, i thought you were only ment to take em out.

As for the minilites, you can get a set of 114.3's from Midland Wheels

222s · Oct 2nd, 2006, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomG

don't understand why anyone would want to put a diesel IN a car, i thought you were only ment to take em out.

I can - a modern turbot diseasel lump would be superb! Torque curve like Table Mountain, plenty of power & reluctant to use fuel!!! But then I do use my Amazon for towing so I like torque.

The main question is which engine. Many older tech ones would be available as genuine scrapyard parts and although less powerful & less refined than some of the current ones, they would have the advantage of not being so picky about what they are fed

TomG · Oct 2nd, 2006, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by 222s

But then I do use my Amazon for towing so I like torque.

I find my engine is one of the torqueiest engines i've ever owned, and i've had a tractor.

classicswede · Oct 3rd, 2006, 20:22

The B20 is a high revving tractor engine.
We have used our amazon to tow start a local non starting ford dexter! More impresive is the fact it had a tipping trailor hitched on, and if that was not good enough there was over a ton of stone in the trailer!!!

If you are very good with wiring etc then a diesel could be a good option for you. Modern diesel engines have a lot of electronics these days.
The older diesles are a problem finding one big enough for the job. You will need a engine of about 2.5ltr for the amazon if it is a pre 2000ish engine. There other issue you will have with newer diesels is a gearbox as most will be fwd.

You would want to be looking probably at a BMW engine as you should be able to drop it in complete.

If you are just looking for more affordable running why not keep it simple (and cheaper) and convert it to LPG.

mike7 · Oct 3rd, 2006, 21:08

Hi Guys,
thanks for the replies. I was/am/might consider putting a diesel into a poorer looking amazon than the one I currently have if I ever find one. I was thinking of a 2,383cc D24T Volkswagen 6-cylinder turbodiesel which came out of a 940 so I am told. The reason for this is that I know where one is available quite cheaply.
Classicswedes: Gas might be a serious option for my good car. The only query would be insurance after installing as I would only do the job myself as payback time would be too long on a professional £1000 type of job. Any thoughts are appreciated.
As to the minilites, I am looking now....

cheers,Mike

amazon69 · Oct 3rd, 2006, 21:19

hmmm..was just looking for this site:
http://www.minilite.co.uk/aboutus01.html
genuine minilites, because I knew their prices weren't far off MWS's

I have heard bad things about non genuine minilites, best to buy British anyway!

Er...

Bye.

classicswede · Oct 4th, 2006, 20:53

Hi Mike,
we do supply DIY LPG kits and this should not be a problem with insurance.
A conversion is not as much as £1000 though.
Our prices for a fully installed amazon start @ £750 for the amazon with a cylinder tank in the boot on a single carb. The add an extra £50 for twin carbs. There is no point in fitting a spare wheel tank as you dont gain anything by doing that.
If you do get a rough amazon and do go dowm the diesel path then I can get some suitable springs made for you.

Our phone number is 01407 832 290

222s · Oct 4th, 2006, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicswede

There is no point in fitting a spare wheel tank as you dont gain anything by doing that.

Would it be worth fitting a spare wheel tank to an estate, so that the loadbay is maintained (esp with the rear seat folded down), or are they too deep for the spare wheel well under the boot floor?

Brian M · Oct 5th, 2006, 17:13

Mike

As you are a long way from me, I don't mind if your Amazon ends up looking like mine!

Minilites from Minilite.co.uk and 1960's Lucas 5.5 inch spotlights from Autojumbles, wired in as main beam, so they have to be on brackets that come through the grille to meet minimum height.

more pictures in my album at

http://rides.webshots.com/album/172715925vyghLY

Brian

Oct 2nd, 2006, 21:42	#1
mike7 Junior Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2024 16:51 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Inverness Area, Highlands Scotland	diesel engine conversion...minilites... spots... Hi Guys, just wondering if anyone has installed a diesel engine of some sort into an Amazon, and if so how was it done? I might be looking to try this in the future if I ever find a rat Amazon to try it on. I also fancy a set of minilite wheels for my 122S. Where is the best place to try and find some? Finally, fancy a pair of spots for above. What would be the ones to keep the car fairly in the 60's-70's period and again, where to find them? cheers,Mike

Oct 2nd, 2006, 22:58	#2
TomG Rat Rodin Fool Last Online: May 2nd, 2011 16:56 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hereford	don't understand why anyone would want to put a diesel IN a car, i thought you were only ment to take em out. As for the minilites, you can get a set of 114.3's from Midland Wheels __________________ 1968 Volvo Amazon 133 B20

Oct 3rd, 2006, 20:22	#5
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 21:49 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	The B20 is a high revving tractor engine. We have used our amazon to tow start a local non starting ford dexter! More impresive is the fact it had a tipping trailor hitched on, and if that was not good enough there was over a ton of stone in the trailer!!! If you are very good with wiring etc then a diesel could be a good option for you. Modern diesel engines have a lot of electronics these days. The older diesles are a problem finding one big enough for the job. You will need a engine of about 2.5ltr for the amazon if it is a pre 2000ish engine. There other issue you will have with newer diesels is a gearbox as most will be fwd. You would want to be looking probably at a BMW engine as you should be able to drop it in complete. If you are just looking for more affordable running why not keep it simple (and cheaper) and convert it to LPG. __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Oct 3rd, 2006, 21:19	#7
amazon69 Premier Member Last Online: May 21st, 2024 17:55 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Falmouth	hmmm..was just looking for this site: http://www.minilite.co.uk/aboutus01.html genuine minilites, because I knew their prices weren't far off MWS's I have heard bad things about non genuine minilites, best to buy British anyway! Er... Bye. __________________ Falmouth, Cornwall. 1970 California white 131.

Oct 4th, 2006, 20:53	#8
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 21:49 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	Hi Mike, we do supply DIY LPG kits and this should not be a problem with insurance. A conversion is not as much as £1000 though. Our prices for a fully installed amazon start @ £750 for the amazon with a cylinder tank in the boot on a single carb. The add an extra £50 for twin carbs. There is no point in fitting a spare wheel tank as you dont gain anything by doing that. If you do get a rough amazon and do go dowm the diesel path then I can get some suitable springs made for you. Our phone number is 01407 832 290 __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Oct 3rd, 2006, 21:08	#6
mike7 Junior Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2024 16:51 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Inverness Area, Highlands Scotland	Hi Guys, thanks for the replies. I was/am/might consider putting a diesel into a poorer looking amazon than the one I currently have if I ever find one. I was thinking of a 2,383cc D24T Volkswagen 6-cylinder turbodiesel which came out of a 940 so I am told. The reason for this is that I know where one is available quite cheaply. Classicswedes: Gas might be a serious option for my good car. The only query would be insurance after installing as I would only do the job myself as payback time would be too long on a professional £1000 type of job. Any thoughts are appreciated. As to the minilites, I am looking now.... cheers,Mike

Oct 5th, 2006, 17:13	#10
Brian M Member Last Online: Jun 28th, 2021 20:58 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Leigh-0n-Sea, Essex	Mike As you are a long way from me, I don't mind if your Amazon ends up looking like mine! Minilites from Minilite.co.uk and 1960's Lucas 5.5 inch spotlights from Autojumbles, wired in as main beam, so they have to be on brackets that come through the grille to meet minimum height. more pictures in my album at http://rides.webshots.com/album/172715925vyghLY Brian Last edited by Brian M; Oct 5th, 2006 at 17:19. Reason: photo not appearing

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)