Vauxhall 1.7 TD Engine, what are they like ?

[Brick Driver]

I hevan't been on here for ages. Our current Arctic has slowly been going more rusty and I am looking for something else. My plan was to find something with decent bodywork and then swap the engine and interior over to make the best car I could but I have spotted a very nice diesel.
Trouble is it's the Vauxhall 1.7 TD and I've read they aren't really the best one to go for. What are they like to drive compared with a 1.4 for example ?
Are these engines based on the small or big block ? I thought they were similar to the big block in terms of engine mounts but not sure after reading a few things, anyone know ?

 

[rc]

they're a small block engine, box and shafts.

theres nothing majorly wrong with them, they do the job. the reason they get a bad wrap is they're not as tuneable as the Isuzu. infact they're not tuneable at all. its stock power and nothing else with them. but as an engine they do the job.

doing a cambelt is a bit of a pain as they don't have locking pins.

 

[Brick Driver]

Thanks for the reply. At least being a small block it will be easy or easier to put the 16xel engine in should I feel the need. As usual I have lots of time but no cash. The normal problem with this is that the insurance company won't like it !
I missed an auto Arctic on ebay that was really good so had to start looking again. I am starting to realise there aren't many around any more.

 

[Mr.Negative]

I'd be looking at the insurance too before you take the plunge, add the word "turbo" even if its still low power then insurance company's eyes light up with dollar signs.

 

[Brick Driver]

I'm a really old git so hopefully that won't be a problem. I just don't like having to pay out extra just because it's modified. My first Astra gained a 1.6 Mk2 Cav engine as it was free (which I still have as a spares car) but I got fed up paying extra just because I had fitted a non standard engine.

 

[edessex]

The GM 1.7 is quicker than the 1.4mpi, that's all I know.

Personally I prefer the Isuzu 1.7 lump...

 

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi,
If you do find you have any issues with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

 

[Brick Driver]

Hi,
If you do find you have any issues with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

Hi, just out of interest how would your company treat what I am considering doing ? If I bought the 1.7 TD and fitted the engine gearbox and associated parts from my current 1.6 16 valve one. Brakes and suspension wise they are probably exactly the same apart from perhaps having different front springs. My current car having only done about 45k miles is mechanically perfect and as new interior but it's gone very rusty around the windscreen. The diesel engined car has very good bodywork but I think it may have suffered with cooling problems so the engine might not be all that good.
As I said I'm an old git, 45 actually so the actual cost of insurance isn't huge, the problem I have is the large extra chunk of cash I will get asked for just because the car isn't as it left the factory. I am only considering this as a way of getting a nice inexpensive car, my spare time is free, if the extra cost of the insurance is too great it just won't be worth it.
I've fitted a 1.6 to a 1.4 car in the past for the same reason and that was fair enough paying more for the larger engine but then there was still the extra bit as it was modified, not sure what will happen if I go from a 1.7 to a 1.6 though.

 

[FrostyWaffle]

I'm a isuzu owner, but i've driven the GM Diesel before, honestly the isuzu is just quicker to accelerate. Has a bit more power, and general feels like it's more punchy.
I'm no fan of the GM, but it's a good little engine!
As for size, it's quite a chunk smaller than the isuzu i would say.


What package astra is it tho?

Usually the GL, GLS's are more comfort orientated. Has a bit more luxuries and usually has all the looms ready to add anything the astra had as a feature option

 

[Brick Driver]

What package astra is it tho?

Usually the GL, GLS's are more comfort orientated. Has a bit more luxuries and usually has all the looms ready to add anything the astra had as a feature option

I think the diesel is a Merit but my current car is an Arctic. The only thing I would consider fitting to the new one is the electric windows. The air con would be great if it worked and I would rather not have a big hole in the roof that will more then likely leak.

I'm not too bothered about the performance I just want something reasonable pleasant to drive. I had an old Citroen AX diesel for years and liked the fact that it was a reasonably torquey engine in a light car.

I will ask about what looks like a coolant leak and see what the guy selling it says. As it isn't very close to where I live I need to decide to have it or will loose money insuring and taxing it to get it home.
Thanks for the advice, I will be back to show it off if I decide to get it.

 

[edessex]

Mine has a sunroof, which doesn't leak. But it is used daily all year round. I think where they go wrong is when they are left shut for long periods of time.

 

[BenAstra]

Just bare in mind that if you go diesel to petrol, youe also going to need to swap fuel tank, pump and fuel lines

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[Brick Driver]

Just bare in mind that if you go diesel to petrol, youe also going to need to swap fuel tank, pump and fuel lines

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Hi, yes I thought I would. The biggest headache will be the insurance I expect. I had a read about your car Ben. My Current Arctic is a pretty good car but the front has been repaired, the paint is terrible and the screen surround and bulkhead drain have gone very rusty. I think the only way to save all the good bits is to find a better shell and avoid Red ones !

 

[FrostyWaffle]

I think the diesel is a Merit but my current car is an Arctic. The only thing I would consider fitting to the new one is the electric windows. The air con would be great if it worked and I would rather not have a big hole in the roof that will more then likely leak.

I'm not too bothered about the performance I just want something reasonable pleasant to drive. I had an old Citroen AX diesel for years and liked the fact that it was a reasonably torquey engine in a light car.

I will ask about what looks like a coolant leak and see what the guy selling it says. As it isn't very close to where I live I need to decide to have it or will loose money insuring and taxing it to get it home.
Thanks for the advice, I will be back to show it off if I decide to get it.

Naw, those factory sunroofs never really leaked, they just clog at times
airco shouldn't be too hard to repair, it's a simple mechanical compressor and gas!

i'd fit one in my isuzu, but i'm not sure if the diesels has airco, concidering how little space is left with the intercooler and crud in the way.

 

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi, just out of interest how would your company treat what I am considering doing ? If I bought the 1.7 TD and fitted the engine gearbox and associated parts from my current 1.6 16 valve one. Brakes and suspension wise they are probably exactly the same apart from perhaps having different front springs. My current car having only done about 45k miles is mechanically perfect and as new interior but it's gone very rusty around the windscreen. The diesel engined car has very good bodywork but I think it may have suffered with cooling problems so the engine might not be all that good.
As I said I'm an old git, 45 actually so the actual cost of insurance isn't huge, the problem I have is the large extra chunk of cash I will get asked for just because the car isn't as it left the factory. I am only considering this as a way of getting a nice inexpensive car, my spare time is free, if the extra cost of the insurance is too great it just won't be worth it.
I've fitted a 1.6 to a 1.4 car in the past for the same reason and that was fair enough paying more for the larger engine but then there was still the extra bit as it was modified, not sure what will happen if I go from a 1.7 to a 1.6 though.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

We, as a modified specialist, would be able to cover this without any issues. We see the fact that you will have spent the time and effort completing the change as a positive thing - Someone who puts time and effort into their car is likely to look after it more, therefore we would try and reward this by offering a competitive premium as you would hopefully be less of a significant risk!

If you wanted to PM me your details we can give you a call to see what sort of price we're looking at.

Kind regards,
Dan.