Project Harrier - The 2.5 petrol engine
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- Category: Engines
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 17:02
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Thanks to Jérôme Cazemajou for the engine pictures above.
At the launch of the Ninety, Land Rover had insisted that there would not be a 2.5-litre development of the petrol engine to match their new diesel version. However, buyer demand and economics made the change inevitable. The larger petrol engine was launched in 1985 (having been developed under the codename 'Project Harrier') and like its 2.25-litre predecessor it had much in common with it's 2.5 litre diesel counterpart. The block was identical, as were most ancillary parts. The key difference was that the petrol engine retained its timing chain, since it lacked the need to drive an injector pump. The cylinder head was adapted to use unleaded fuel. As before, the engine was smooth and refined, and provided the Land Rover with adequate road performance. However, as fuel prices rose and diesel engines improved sales of the petrol engines fell, especially in Europe. It remained a popular option in Africa and other areas where fuel prices or the simplicity of the engine made it an attractive option. It remained available until 1994 although by this time sales had dwindled to almost nothing in the face of a new generation of refined diesel engines. By this time buyers were limited to those with specific reasons to buy petrol engined vehicles - for example several police forces in the UK bought fleets of 2.5 petrol Defenders in the mid-1990s because diesel-engined vehicles would have caused maintenance and logistical problems when operated alongside the fleet of standard patrol cars, all of which were petrol fuelled.
Engine code: 17H
Layout: 4-cylinder, in-line
Block/Head: Cast iron/cast iron
Valves: OHV, chain drive camshaft, push-rod operated
Capacity: 2,495 cc (152.2 cu. in)
Bore x stroke: 90.47 mm x 97 mm (3.56 in x 3.81 in)
Compression ratio: 8:1
Carburettor: Weber
Power: 83 bhp (62 kW) @ 4,200 rpm
Torque: 133 lbf·ft (180 N·m) @ 2,000 rpm
Production: 1985-1994
Used in: Land Rover 90/110/127, Defender
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