Bj73 questions?

[Rodger]

A friend of mine in Spain has a BJ73 with a VM 5 cyl engine which has had some head work but isn't well. I'm thinking of swopping a 3B motor into it.
Does anyone know the answers to the following:
Will the engine mounts be the same? (the VM was a European option, or so I believe)
Is the VM mated to a standard 3B transmission or will I need to change the trans as well? Splines?
I'm going visit him in April and want to work out what I need to do/change/measure. Any help or clues would be most welcome.
I'm not planning on doing the swop for about a year (when I'll have time and the facilities out there) so if anybody has one with a 3B that I could look at, crawl over and under, please let me know.

Regards,

 

[bsmith123]

Market
Europe Year
1990 Make
TOYOTA Model
LAND CRUISER Frame
BJ73


Vehicle characteristics
GRADE: VM: EQUIPPED WITH VM ENGINE
DESTINATION: EUR: EUROPE
BODY: HT: HARDTOP
DRIVER'S POSITION: LHD: LEFT-HAND DRIVE
ENGINE: 3B: 3400CC DIESEL
FUEL SYSTEM: DSL: DIESEL


Search Results
VIN* Model code From To Frame Characteristics
TW0V0BJ73.. BJ73LV-MPW 01/1990 - 01/1994 BJ73 VM EUR HT LHD 3B


Rodger

I dont know anything about these but I did find this on TOYODIY.COM
used the parts ref tool to look it up sometimes I use this site to find parts that cross to other models

I used 1990

I was thinking since above it says equipped with vm motor 3b it should only be a matter of cross ref from a regular 3b to the VM 3b

not even sure what all that is ---I take VM is another OEM for the 3b?

hope that site helps

 

[Rodger]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the info...
The VM engine is a 2.5 litre 5 cylinder turbo. It has 5 seperate heads and I've managed to find a source for a new head and the reason why it's gone... apparently these heads are nickel coated and in it's history one of the heads was skimmed but not re-nickelled and as the VM man told me it is impossible to torque down properly because as soon as the engine gets compression, it is as if its never been torqued down. I have found a supplier for the new head , gaskets and instructions.

The 3b engine swop was an option if I couldn't find the parts as the gearbox is an H55 but I dont know if the input shaft &/or the bellhousing would need to be changed (bet that sounds familiar to you!).

I only finally got to this position last week so I'm waiting to hear from my friend in Spain whether he wants me to get the parts and rebuild it.

Apparently these 73s were built in Portugal - European spec. 4 cyl VM engines were used in early RR and some early diesel Jeeps but the 5 cylinder seems to be quite rare but eventually, after a long search, I found a man who can....

Thanks again for your reply and the info.

Regards,
Rodger

 

[bsmith123]

What year is it?

I have been on the LC forums for about 4 years now, first I heard of it. Definitely seeing a lot more since I have branched out from the US sites though

thats good and bad

I am trying not to want a HJ61 and or a HJ75

Ah well, got may hands full with the 40 anyway!

 

[Mission Man]

I've been looking for a manual for the VM Motori 2.5 hp 4 cylinder engine. This engine was in a 73 Toyota land cruiser 74 series that came from Spain. The engine serial number is 95A/1 17900.
As I said, it is a 4 cylinder and not a 5 cylinder engine. If anyone has one or knows where I can get one, please let me know.

 

[qbartx]

I've been looking for a manual for the VM Motori 2.5 hp 4 cylinder engine. This engine was in a 73 Toyota land cruiser 74 series that came from Spain. The engine serial number is 95A/1 17900.
As I said, it is a 4 cylinder and not a 5 cylinder engine. If anyone has one or knows where I can get one, please let me know.

Wrong, all vm land cruisers came originally with 5cyl engine that is different from 4cyl ones like in jeeps etc.

 

[Rodger]

The 74 series came with a 13B-T - inline 4 cyl, 3431cc, turbo - which would suggest that it has had an engine swop. Look at the bulkhead vin plate. The engine code for the 5 cylinder VM is VM66A.
I have never found a manual for the 5 cyl but the 4 cyl was in early diesel Range Rovers, Jeeps etc so might be available by searching under those makes.

Regards,

Rodger

 

[Mission Man]

Here is a quote from:
List of VM Motori engines - Wikipedia

"425 OHV

2.5 L; 152.5 cu in (2,499 cc) straight-four, with two (pushrod-actuated) valves-per-cylinder and indirect fuel injection. 92 mm × 94 mm (3.62 in × 3.70 in), the engine size is variably referred to as either 2,500 or 2,499 cc. This engine too has been called HR 492, signifying four cylinders of 92 mm (3.62 in) bore. Timing gears, not belt.

Applications:

• 1994–1998 Alfa Romeo 155, 125 PS (92 kW) at 4,200 rpm and 294 N⋅m (217 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm
• 1987–1992 Alfa Romeo 164, 114–117 PS (84–86 kW) at 4,200 rpm and 258 N⋅m (190 lb⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm (HR492/VM84A/VM08)
• 1992–1998 Alfa Romeo 164, 125 PS (92 kW) at 4,200 rpm and 294 N⋅m (217 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm (HS492/VM32)
• 1991–2000 Chrysler Voyager, 118 PS (87 kW) and 262 N⋅m (193 lb⋅ft)
• 1999–2001 Dodge Dakota (Brazil), 114 hp (85 kW; 116 PS) and 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft)
• 1991-1995 Dodge Caravan C/V (U.S. fleets only), 118 PS (87 kW) and 262 N⋅m (193 lb⋅ft)[citation needed]
• 1993-1999 Ford Scorpio
• 1996–2000 GAZ GAZelle, 101 hp (75 kW; 102 PS); torque: 232 N⋅m (171 lb⋅ft)
• 1994–2001 Jeep Cherokee, 118 hp (88 kW; 120 PS) at 4,000 rpm and 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm
• 1995–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 114 hp (85 kW; 116 PS) and 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft)
• 1989.10-1992 Range Rover, 121 PS (89 kW; 119 bhp) at 4,200 rpm and 284 N⋅m (209 lb⋅ft) at 1,950 rpm[17]
• 1990–1999 Rover 800, 118 bhp (88 kW; 120 PS), latterly 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) and 268 N⋅m (198 lb⋅ft) at 2,100 rpm[18]
• 1997–2000 UAZ 3160, 101 hp (75 kW; 102 PS) and 232 N⋅m (171 lb⋅ft)
• 1995 V.M.C 2500 Turbotronic, 117 PS (86 kW) at 4,200 rpm and 235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft) at 2,200 rpm

This engine was also used in some early Toyota Land Cruisers & Hilux, and Opel Fronteras.

The 425 OHV used in Chrysler Voyager 1991–2000 only 1996 and 1997 was with chain.

Between 1997 and 2001 this engine was manufactured at "Detroit Diesel Motores do Brasil" in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. The plant was eventually sold to Perkins after the Dodge Dakota stopped production locally."

As I said earlier, this Toyota was shipped to the United States from Spain.

I have contacted Motori, given them the serial number and was told they can supply parts but have no manual, thus the reason for reaching out to see if anyone has one.
Thanks to all who help.

 

[Iwan]

I'm sure @outdoordan had a vm 4 cylinder in his bj73 Portuguese version..

 

[Mission Man]

I had some info. wrong. The year and model are 1992 BJ73 Land Cruiser.

 

[Rodger]

I have gone through my relevant information and the only light that I can throw on this for you is that the 5 cyl was 2.5 litre turbo whereas the 4 cyl is listed as 3.4 litre.
With no manual, perhaps the dealer you spoke with can supply a copy of their "fishe" that they would use to identify parts as they tend to show the parts' link/relationship and maybe they would have a torque settings table.

Regards,

Rodger

 

[outdoordan]

Hi Missionman. Ive got a workshop manual for the 4 cylinder VM. I'll have a look for it this evening.

I've had two 4 cylinder VM powered BJ73s, a buddy of mine has a 5 cylinder.

Heres the lowdown off the top of my head without looking in the folder.

The VM engine code for the 5 cylinder is 588
Thats 5 cylinders with an 88mm cylinder bore

The VM engine code for the 4 cylinder is 495 or 494 iirc... 4 cylinder with a 94 or 95mm bore.

Both are 2.5 litre turbos.

The 5 cylinder has a shorter throw.

I think ive got manuals for both. Ive got a folder full of parts, part numbers, difficult to find stuff.

My ownership of the two VM 73s spanned nearly 10 years. At first I didn't like them but once you get beyond the infamous turbo lag and the head issues yhey are actually a fine engine and very easy to work on.

Happy to help.

https://flic.kr/p/26UVJHA

 

[outdoordan]

Ok, so had a rummage

BJ73 trucks fabricated by Salvador Caetano in Portugal came with two engine options.*

Both 2.5 Turbo Diesel

VM 66A – 5 Cyl – HR588HTA – 88mm cyl diameter – 82mm throw – 2494cc
VM 95A – 4 Cyl – HR4924HIT – 92mm cyl diameter – 94mm throw – 2499cc

I have manuals for both but the 5 cylinder manual is in Spanish and I’m on a promise not to share it, although I can point you in the direction of the man to ask.

The 4 cylinder manual is the original very difficult to find Range Rover manual which covers the 2.4 variant as well. It’s a very good manual.

The 4 cylinder 2.5 TD VM fitted in the 1989 Range Rover TD is identical to the 4 cylinder VM fitted in the Portuguese BJ73.

The flywheel, bell housing and sump are the only things different.

*due to regulations about country of origin: In order to sell the BJ73 into Europe (at the time) the vehicle had to have been “manufactured” in Europe. The central criteria for it to qualify as “manufactured in Europe” is that it had to be fitted with an engine manufactured in Europe; hence an Italian engine.

 

[outdoordan]

Toyota on Left, Range Rover on Right
Both VM95A, 2.5TD, 4 Cyl, HR4924

Before

After

 

[outdoordan]

If you're doing cylinder head gaskets feel free to ask. I've stripped the top ends off these engines more times than most. Like everything, once you've got the sequence down it's fast and pretty easy.

Beware though, the gaskets come as either four single fibre gaskets, so, in theory you can change one pot at a time, or a one piece, four pot steel gasket. You need different end plates for the two different types.

 

[outdoordan]

I dont know about availability in US. Readily available in UK.

They come in different thicknesses. I always fitted the thickest.

I'll see if i can dig out part numbers.

I would recommend fitting new heads. Mopar still make new heads to fit. I was buyi ng them in UK for £90

You'll need:

Gasket kit
Head bolt set

The new mopar heads have screw fitting for injectors not clamp fitting as on original so you need different injectors to fit.

If you find my Flickr page there are lots of photos.

Cheers