BMC 1.5 litre diesel

After years without a boat I bought one with the 2.5 BMC Diesel Engine. (Thornycroft 90) I made the mistake in thinking that like classic BMC Cars (MGB etc) I could get any engine part I wanted, And in 1985 when these engines were in use in vans etc I worked on them. I also had a JCB with the same 2.5 Diesel Engine. I had thought that I would find a spare 2.5 engine, have new pistons, rebore, crank grind, new oli pump and water pump, skim head and new gaskets.
But parts are totally unavailable. I wanted a spart Water Pump to take with me on a long trip but they are unavailable, yes I could get the one off the engine serviced but the did not have any spare to sell. Because of this I decided to sell the boat.
I did notice that some people with the same boat had re-engined with an ISUZU engine, but I hesitate to spend 3500 pounds + on a boat which is only worth 7000 pounds as even if I put the engine in its still only worth 7000 pounds, but would be easier to sell.
 
Jim@sea said:
After years without a boat I bought one with the 2.5 BMC Diesel Engine. (Thornycroft 90) I made the mistake in thinking that like classic BMC Cars (MGB etc) I could get any engine part I wanted, And in 1985 when these engines were in use in vans etc I worked on them. I also had a JCB with the same 2.5 Diesel Engine. I had thought that I would find a spare 2.5 engine, have new pistons, rebore, crank grind, new oli pump and water pump, skim head and new gaskets.
But parts are totally unavailable. I wanted a spart Water Pump to take with me on a long trip but they are unavailable, yes I could get the one off the engine serviced but the did not have any spare to sell. Because of this I decided to sell the boat.
I did notice that some people with the same boat had re-engined with an ISUZU engine, but I hesitate to spend 3500 pounds + on a boat which is only worth 7000 pounds as even if I put the engine in its still only worth 7000 pounds, but would be easier to sell.
Click to expand...
The Thornycroft T90 is BMC 1.5
 
Jim@sea said:
After years without a boat I bought one with the 2.5 BMC Diesel Engine. (Thornycroft 90) I made the mistake in thinking that like classic BMC Cars (MGB etc) I could get any engine part I wanted, And in 1985 when these engines were in use in vans etc I worked on them. I also had a JCB with the same 2.5 Diesel Engine. I had thought that I would find a spare 2.5 engine, have new pistons, rebore, crank grind, new oli pump and water pump, skim head and new gaskets.
But parts are totally unavailable. I wanted a spart Water Pump to take with me on a long trip but they are unavailable, yes I could get the one off the engine serviced but the did not have any spare to sell. Because of this I decided to sell the boat.
I did notice that some people with the same boat had re-engined with an ISUZU engine, but I hesitate to spend 3500 pounds + on a boat which is only worth 7000 pounds as even if I put the engine in its still only worth 7000 pounds, but would be easier to sell.
Click to expand...
The 2.5 liter diesel is a Rover not BMC

The engine in the MGB is the BMC B series 4 cylinder 1.5 to 1.8 liter.
 
vyv_cox said:
I have a BMC 2.2 litre engine. Parts for that are obtainable with a little difficulty. Many taxis had them fitted. A Dutch company keeps them, used in a jeep-type vehicle, forget its name at present.
Click to expand...

The jeep-type vehicle was the Austin Gypsy made in the 1960's which did have a 2.2 liter diesel. The Gypsy was very similar to the land rover. The original BMC engines were the A service 800cc to 1275, then B series 1500cc to 1800cc and the C series 6 cylinder from 2.2 to 3 liter.

The E series in the maxi was a 2.2 2.5 liter but never converted to diesel.

Land Rover had 2.2 and 2.5 liter diesels so the BMC could be a badge engineered Land Rover like the Gypsy was or made up from Rover parts.

I know my SIL Austin marina had a perkins diesel engine so Austin did use outside supply and manufacture like the Austin Healey was assembled by Jensen in West Bromwich and bodies made by Pressed steel fisher in Castle Bromwich.
 
Rogershaw said:
The jeep-type vehicle was the Austin Gypsy made in the 1960's which did have a 2.2 liter diesel. The Gypsy was very similar to the land rover. The original BMC engines were the A service 800cc to 1275, then B series 1500cc to 1800cc and the C series 6 cylinder from 2.2 to 3 liter.

The E series in the maxi was a 2.2 2.5 liter but never converted to diesel.

Land Rover had 2.2 and 2.5 liter diesels so the BMC could be a badge engineered Land Rover like the Gypsy was or made up from Rover parts.

I know my SIL Austin marina had a perkins diesel engine so Austin did use outside supply and manufacture like the Austin Healey was assembled by Jensen in West Bromwich and bodies made by Pressed steel fisher in Castle Bromwich.
Click to expand...
BMC lent us an Early Gypsy to tow the amphibious caravan my father designed to the Nat Caravan Rally. Bit of PR. They also lent us an Early Austin Cambridge (Farina) for the same purpose. The Gypsy was related to the Champ, insomuch as it had rubber torsion suspension. Pretty rare beast now., tin body, unlike LR; I had a Champ for a while, not diesel, and quite quick.
 
I'm fitting a Bukh 24 donkey onto a set of beams and mounts that supported a BMC 1500, I've got a good diagram of the Bukh mounting plan, BUT can't find the diagram of the BMC engine mounts layout. It's not in the user service manual. Anyone have that picture, as I would like to order some heavy steel conversion plates.
 
Many of the marinised BMC1.5’s were done by different companies, so I don’t think there is a standard footprint for the mountings.
On my previous boat which had the 1.5 I have found Calcutt Boats very helpful in the past, as well as Lancing marine, they may be able to help you.
 
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