↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > My Defender > SoonerMatt's 1988 "90" 4.1 Chevy i6 Build
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
soonermatt



Member Since: 17 Sep 2021
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4

United States 1988 Defender 90 Other SW Portofino Red
SoonerMatt's 1988 "90" 4.1 Chevy i6 Build
Hello everyone,
I recently purchased a rusty old Defender with a leaky old 19J engine. Was able to drive it around a few times before I decided that the 19J will never be satisfactory no matter how much money I spend on it.

Instead of using the 2007 Escalade drivetrain I had originally intended to use in a few years, I decided to do the Robert Davis 250" Chevy straight six swap. I've purchased his kit, a rebuilt 1981 C10 truck engine and am currently in the process of throwing everything together right now.



Click image to enlarge


Was able to fit the old Chevy engine in the back of the originally intended donor Escalade


Click image to enlarge


Been taking the truck apart and trying to clean it up and sound proof it



Click image to enlarge



I've found most things on this truck need to be taken down to metal and / or completely replaced



Click image to enlarge



I've been trying to do all the work myself if I can. Here is the window tint for the windows I need to put in the side



Click image to enlarge



Got the windows cut out and installed. This was my first time riveting. It's fun.



Click image to enlarge


I put all my engine parts in a lye bath to degrease them and get them ready for paint



Click image to enlarge



I'm more or less joining here to see everyone else's builds but I'll keep this mostly updated as I build this truck.
Post #921817 17th Sep 2021 1:05pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Avelingporter



Member Since: 25 Jan 2016
Location: Southampton
Posts: 405

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
Keep the thread going Matt. Really interesting to see the progression as this is not a common conversion this side of the pond.
Post #921819 17th Sep 2021 1:16pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10728

England 
Yes i to agree with the above Very Happy 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.

Keeper.

Clayton.
Post #921859 17th Sep 2021 8:32pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
buffalo4



Member Since: 18 Apr 2020
Location: South Yorkshire
Posts: 63

United Kingdom 
Great work, look forward to more updates
Ian
Post #922463 23rd Sep 2021 12:25pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3396

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
My heart skips a beat when I hear (read) 1988 Landrover. I will be watching too.
Here is my thread to my restoration if interested to read. https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72365.html
I agree that the 19J is not the best engine ever made, but I find it very character full, and smooth compared the the more reliable direct injection units. I am keeping the 19J because I do not need to go fast Very Happy
A straight 6 should be sweet though. I came across the Robert Davis swap on you tube just a few weeks ago.

PS.. 1998 is not a Defender.. it is a LandRover 90 Whistle 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #922507 23rd Sep 2021 6:10pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10728

England 
^ ^ ^

1988 Wink 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.

Keeper.

Clayton.
Post #922532 23rd Sep 2021 8:26pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20265

United Kingdom 
Like it. Thumbs Up
Post #922536 23rd Sep 2021 8:55pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3396

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Dinnu wrote:
My heart skips a beat when I hear (read) 1988 Landrover. I will be watching too.
Here is my thread to my restoration if interested to read. https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72365.html
I agree that the 19J is not the best engine ever made, but I find it very character full, and smooth compared the the more reliable direct injection units. I am keeping the 19J because I do not need to go fast Very Happy
A straight 6 should be sweet though. I came across the Robert Davis swap on you tube just a few weeks ago.

PS.. 1998 is not a Defender.. it is a LandRover 90 Whistle

Edit.. Oopps.. I needed to write 1988. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #922559 24th Sep 2021 5:55am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
soonermatt



Member Since: 17 Sep 2021
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4

United States 1988 Defender 90 Other SW Portofino Red
Couldn't get scheduled in a paint / body shop until December. Out of necessity I had to paint myself.
3 coats SPI epoxy primer, 3 coats SPI black base, 3 coats Euro 2020 clear

Before:


Click image to enlarge


After:


Click image to enlarge

[/img]
Post #924396 4th Oct 2021 12:53pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
soonermatt



Member Since: 17 Sep 2021
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4

United States 1988 Defender 90 Other SW Portofino Red
Dinnu wrote:
My heart skips a beat when I hear (read) 1988 Landrover. I will be watching too.
Here is my thread to my restoration if interested to read. https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72365.html
I agree that the 19J is not the best engine ever made, but I find it very character full, and smooth compared the the more reliable direct injection units. I am keeping the 19J because I do not need to go fast Very Happy
A straight 6 should be sweet though. I came across the Robert Davis swap on you tube just a few weeks ago.

PS.. 1998 is not a Defender.. it is a LandRover 90 Whistle


Did you seriously just correct my build thread titled "SoonerMatt's 1988 "90" 4.1 Chevy i6 Build" where I emphasized "90" and not "Defender" to tell me that I have a 90 and not Defender?

What do you achieve from that?
Post #924398 4th Oct 2021 1:02pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3396

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Re: SoonerMatt's 1988 "90" 4.1 Chevy i6 Build
soonermatt wrote:

I recently purchased a rusty old Defender with a leaky old 19J engine.


Hello Soonermatt, I did not correct anything. I just stated that 1988 were known as 90s, 110s and 127s. The Defender name came in 1990. And was only with the introduction of the 200tdi that was also used in the Discovery. But I am sure you know that too.

Good progress with the truck. Thumbs Up

Greetings from a 90 owner. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #924406 4th Oct 2021 1:31pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
NCTT



Member Since: 07 Apr 2008
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 229

United Kingdom 
this is going to be a BEAST !
Post #928076 1st Nov 2021 12:30pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
soonermatt



Member Since: 17 Sep 2021
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4

United States 1988 Defender 90 Other SW Portofino Red
Build almost finished.



Click image to enlarge


Just working out a few kinks.



Click image to enlarge


Can’t remember where I left off. Inside it has the mahogany floor, alcantara headliner and a generic touch screen that has a defender logo on boot. Can do Spotify, YouTube, Netflix, etc. Backup camera turns on but doesn’t work yet.

Currently adding another 16” fan and chasing oil leaks.
Post #1033465 1st May 2024 1:29am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
L110CDL



Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10728

England 
Thank you for the update on your 90, which is looking so different, but in a good way. Hope you get the leaks sorted Thumbs Up 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.

Keeper.

Clayton.
Post #1033744 3rd May 2024 8:34pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums