Long story short:
We have (at work) a fairly swanky-looking ex-Ice Cream van that we use for promotional activity and events.

The current Perkins diesel is sh**ed so we need to decide what to do.

I'm pretty anti-diesel in this case as the cabin is so poorly insulated that the roar of diesel means I'll need to send drivers our with ear defenders which isn't very safe - or cool.

The best that the garage have come up with thus far is buying another CF with the 2.3 petrol. There's one on eBay which has done 85k pulling a heavy motor home body. That doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

I was initially thinking Zetec and have since wondered about 8v Vauxhall. Is there anything that would mate to the 4-speed dogleg ZF?

It won't do mega miles but the odd trip to London or Nottingham from Bristol is desirable. Thoughts welcome.

How about Ford 2.9 V6 Engine 2.9 ford lump?

ATB Dan.

The Vaxhall Slant 4 SOHC 2.3 was a rough running old load of unreliable .... that gobbled fuel at an alarming rate.

ISTR the 4 speed used a Vauxhall gearbox.


The Opel Blitz & CF II used Opel Asconca engines

Or what about a complete V6 donor with a family link?

VAUXHALL OMEGA ESTATE 2.5 V6 CDX 2000 ( NEW INFO )

Or if the ice cream is melting and you need to get there faster

Vauxhall Omega 3.0 Litre MV6 X Reg 2000


[Edited on 21/11/15 by Nickp]

Lotus twincam ? The later Elite,Esprit version. That was based on the Vauxhall engine. Getting old now and always a bit delicate but turbo version should make for a pretty fast ice cream van

quote:

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Originally posted by minibull
Lotus twincam ? The later Elite,Esprit version. That was based on the Vauxhall engine. Getting old now and always a bit delicate but turbo version should make for a pretty fast ice cream van

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if it ever goes to London, ensure it meets the emissions regulations, virtually all within the m25 is a LEZ low emissions zone. (or pay the very high daily rate!)

(reason enough to make it petrol! )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_low_emission_zone

petrol pinto engine and box out of a transit would be a shout. or diesel out transit late ldv

Rover V8 sounds like a good idea for a low mileage tug.

The Rover v8 was a fairly common figment but these days there are smaller and better v8s ,, how about a Lexus lump mated to a six speed box? 6th gear might come in handy as the diff ratio is likely to be very low.

Vauxhall 2 litre ecotec might do it?
X20xev. Used in late 90s Astras, vectras, omegas ect

I bought an old CF before.
It had a vauxhall magnum 2.3 in it. Did not do very much to the gallon and had a miniature gear lever right near the back of the drivers seat.
Used it to get the band around the country in and so has many fine memories for me.

Just had a friend round who used to drag race a CF. Had a tuned Daimler V8 in it, used to keep up with a 911 up to 60, so should be adequate......

Though sourcing a daimler V8 may be tricky.

I guess simple is good, so a zetec mated to a transit type mt75??

What about the midengine transit version that they had on TG.. jag engine?

If it is being used as a commercial vehicle, ie loaded, then the 2.0 petrol diesel or petrol from a Transit is the way to go. Easy conversion.
Many of those suggested will work badly as a loaded vehicle needs a heavy commercial type flywheel otherwise they tend to bog a little pulling away.
That's why the Rover V8 has been used before and works as the two ton car it normally pulls also has a heavy flywheel.
The Rover is much harder to fit but does sound very good.