Gardner 4LK + Land Rover S2a

[Sussex Boy]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post because I don`t have a narrow boat and haven't really had anything to contribute. My interest amounts to watching the tv series Canal Boat Diaries and owning a wooden 16-foot cabin cruiser, a very basic thing with an outboard motor, which we used on the waterways of Hampshire about 40 years ago. 

I thought I would send something found on the www, because having read about your engines and particularly the Gardner engine, I thought this may interest some here. I hope you enjoy

1970 Land Rover Series IIA LWB For Sale By Auction

[David Mack]

30 years ago I had a LWB Series 3 with its original Land Rover diesel engine. Just about the most gutless vehicle I have ever driven! I hope the 4LK does a better job!

[b00ke23]

On paper the 4LK is worse than the 2.25L diesel.....57hp vs 62hp

 

But the 4LK with it's bigger displacement and considerably higher torque would hopefully feel much better to drive as it produces it's maximum horsepower at 2100rpm, whereas the 2.25 rover produced it's horsepower at 4000rpm.

 

Many years ago we had a SWB series 3 2.25l petrol and that was pretty agricultural. I had a lift in a series diesel once and remember it as very very noisy in the cabin.  

 

This Land rover looks like an interesting conversion. I watched the YT video and it has had to be extensively modified to get the 4LK in, including the addition of modified driveshafts and moving the gearbox rearward. I see they had to fit a later defender gearbox and transfer case which I think is permanent 4WD. Although it has a centre diff, it probably isn't ideal as series front hubs weren't designed to be driven at all times so could wear prematurely.  

Edited June 26 by booke23

[billh]

Never mind a 4LK, this is the ultimate Land Rover power unit:

 

Frank Rothwell also owns Oldham Athletic F. C.  and rowed the Atlantic solo at the age of 70+.

[MtB]

12 hours ago, booke23 said:

But the 4LK with it's bigger displacement and considerably higher torque would hopefully feel much better to drive as it produces it's maximum horsepower at 2100rpm, whereas the 2.25 rover produced it's horsepower at 4000rpm.

 

 

With peak power delivery at so much lower engine revs I'd say substantially higher diff ratios would be needed or this Landy conversion will seem under-geared to the driver. 

[NB Alnwick]

I was loaned a petrol engined early Landrover during the harsh Winter of 1976. It averaged 13 mpg making regular journeys between Rugby and Leicester or Loughborough. It got me through the snow but it cost me deep in the purse!

[b00ke23]

2 hours ago, NB Alnwick said:

I was loaned a petrol engined early Landrover during the harsh Winter of 1976. It averaged 13 mpg making regular journeys between Rugby and Leicester or Loughborough. It got me through the snow but it cost me deep in the purse!

 

That's not great. Ours used to do about 18-20mpg although that did drop to 12mpg when towing! 

[DShK]

I'd be tempted by that if I hadn't taken a pledge of "no more stupid vehicles"

[jonathanA]

8 hours ago, NB Alnwick said:

I was loaned a petrol engined early Landrover during the harsh Winter of 1976. It averaged 13 mpg making regular journeys between Rugby and Leicester or Loughborough. It got me through the snow but it cost me deep in the purse!

My last defender was a 1989 3.5 v8 petrol usual was 15mpg occasionally 16.... mind you it did 15 with or without a trailer , roof rack and crusing at 85 mph ...  getting to 85 was quite quick for the size of vehicle getting  to zero from 85 more nerve wracking... 

[b00ke23]

9 minutes ago, jonathanA said:

My last defender was a 1989 3.5 v8 petrol usual was 15mpg occasionally 16.... mind you it did 15 with or without a trailer , roof rack and crusing at 85 mph ...  getting to 85 was quite quick for the size of vehicle getting  to zero from 85 more nerve wracking... 

 

The defenders were the last word in luxury and mod cons compared to a Series Land Rover 😅

 

I have a slight nostalgic notion to one day buy an old Series Land Rover, if I were to ever have one I would get a V8.....if you are going to burn that much fuel you might as well do it with a nice exhaust note and reasonable power! 

[Sussex Boy]

On 26/06/2025 at 23:34, booke23 said:

On paper the 4LK is worse than the 2.25L diesel.....57hp vs 62hp

 

But the 4LK with it's bigger displacement and considerably higher torque would hopefully feel much better to drive as it produces it's maximum horsepower at 2100rpm, whereas the 2.25 rover produced it's horsepower at 4000rpm.

 

Many years ago we had a SWB series 3 2.25l petrol and that was pretty agricultural. I had a lift in a series diesel once and remember it as very very noisy in the cabin.  

 

This Land rover looks like an interesting conversion. I watched the YT video and it has had to be extensively modified to get the 4LK in, including the addition of modified driveshafts and moving the gearbox rearward. I see they had to fit a later defender gearbox and transfer case which I think is permanent 4WD. Although it has a centre diff, it probably isn't ideal as series front hubs weren't designed to be driven at all times so could wear prematurely.  

Your point about permanent 4WD is a good one, however, the auction photos show selectable freewheeling hubs; wouldn't they negate the problem you`ve suggested?

[b00ke23]

4 hours ago, Sussex Boy said:

Your point about permanent 4WD is a good one, however, the auction photos show selectable freewheeling hubs; wouldn't they negate the problem you`ve suggested?

 

Absolutely, didn't realise this had the free wheeling hub option....these weren't fitted as standard at the time so very definite advantage for this Land Rover. 

[Kingdom Isambard Brunel]

Had many LandRovers from a '49 series 1 onwards.

Used a series 2A for recovery, Harvey Frost on the back. The engine was replaced with a 3 litre Rover Coupe unit, went like stink, would pull anything. 16 ton winch built in underneath driven off the gearbox. I never worked out the fuel consumption, on 5* fuel of course, but it was working for its beans.

[bizzard]

The 2286cc 4cyl petrol engine was a superb engine, smooth, quiet with plenty of power, originally fitteed to the Rover P4. The L/R diesel was also 2286cc but pretty sluggish. Main things to check before buying are rusted rear of chassis. Make sure the F/W/D works ok with both red and yellow levers. Front tractor joint oil seals leaking.

Edited June 29 by bizzard

[b00ke23]

28 minutes ago, bizzard said:

Main things to check before buying are rusted rear of chassis. Make sure the F/W/D works ok with both red and yellow levers. Front tractor joint oil seals leaking.

 

Very true, not to mention the steel bulkhead. A major PITA if that's rusted trough.