Philippe: “We lowered the original square motor mount (and) it improved (vibration) but I think the 200Tdi type will work better. Same height more rubber. I just don t like the dash vibrating at idle; makes the car like a tractor. I think the dash (is) missing a support on passenger side and all the lower screws are not even in! The plan tomorrow morning (Wednesday) is swapping motor mount and realignment of the dash (and) that should be it.”

After ten long weeks, the truck leaves Philippe’s garage and Mr. Wolf’s final (?) shake-down cruise begins. No word on the vibration but, at this point, I think I can live with some serious shaking.

Mr. Wolf drove the truck this afternoon. The rebuilt engine is in and he is happy with Philippe’s work. The vibration during idle will (hopefully) be taken care of with new engine mounts.

Nice to see her back together! We are going to wait for Philippe to swap the motor mounts. Fires right up, runs smooth, and his work under the hood looks impeccable, very happy with how this came out.

Update 1:20 p.m., Friday July 22, 2018: Mr. Wolf will be at Philippe’s garage later this afternoon to drive the truck. P reports it “vibrates while idling” and I assume that means more than it should. P’s research reveals the engine came with wrong mounts and new ones should arrive Monday. Mr. Wolf will make determination on whether to go with new mounts. He says it’s not a huge task but I am wary. Expecting another call from Wolf at end of the day.

The Great Land Rover project will soon be 15 months old. Philippe the Mechanic reports the truck is at the muffler shop getting a new exhaust system. No idea what remains to be done.

I can’t find the exact date Mr. Wolf took the truck to Philippe but he had it on February 21st. The rebuilt engine left Zombie Motors on April 30th and arrived at Philippe’s on May 3rd. So old Philippe has been working on the engine for ten weeks. Two-and-a-half months. The truck has been in his shop for five months.

Stay tuned.

I’m now thinking putting a rebuilt engine in an old Land Rover is a much bigger challenge than a heart-lung transplant. Couple of brief updates from Philippe:

“Have some more trimming to do on the frame; clutch slave rubbing when engine running; finishing fan and cable; replaced battery cable and clamps (the existing ones were not good.)”

“Got stuck on the ignition switch. Couldn’t get the on-off for the fuel cut-out but finally figured out to install a switch just where the stop-run cable was.”

Watch this space.

Looks like the new engine will be crated and shipped by the end of the day. Here’s a gallery of all the photos from Zombie Motors.

“Just about there. I still need to adjust valves (tool was at shop to do so this PM) and get exhaust manifold back from exhaust man. Should be able to get it all tomorrow (Thursday).”

The biggest difference between the original 2.25 liter diesel and this rebuilt 300Tdi 2.5 liter is — according to Zak at Zombie Motors — direct injection diesel (vs. indirect injection). This will make cold starts easy. Won’t have to use glow plugs until it is well below freezing. More like a modern truck: jump in, turn the key, and drive away.

We opted not to get this engine with the turbocharger because — as I understand it — that would have required a different transmission. But even “naturally aspirated,” this engine will provide a lot more torque than the old one and won’t be as smokey/noisy.

“I’ll have this finished as much as I do with them on the stand later today. Tomorrow I can have it off the stand and wrapped up to ship, I just need to get my forklift brought over here to the house to be able to shrink wrap. Will have it brought over today or tomorrow. Thank you again and I hope the photos look good. The piece de resistance is the custom right hand side motor mount that allows this to be bolted in instead of having to do any cutting/ welding.” — Zak, Zombie Motors

“New oil pump gears installed and timing cover on; new pistons in and fitted; con rods torqued; waiting for paint to dry on oil pan.” — Zombie Motors