FINISHING TOUCHS

With the coolant, power steering fluid, engine oil and clutch fluid in place and bled where appropriate, the 300Tdi engine was ready to start up for the first time in the Ninety. The engine had been an excellent runner in the Defender that it had been taken from and, as there was still fuel in the injector pump and system in general, the engine started on first attempt with the key. Gently reversing the Land Rover out of the workshop, told me that the clutch and transmission were working happily together with no undue noises or problems. A gentle shakedown in the form of a two-mile test drive also revealed no problems, and the Land Rover felt like many a 300Tdi Defender that I have driven over the years.

Following rechecks of fluids and visual inspection around the engine bay and underneath, I took the Land Rover for a longer drive. While I had not driven the Ninety with it’s original 19J engine, I was quite sure the owner – Jonny Boggs – would be pleased with the end product. And he is.

I suggested to Jonny that the use of the 19J exhaust system was possibly hindering performance slightly, due to its lesser bore when compared to a 300Tdi exhaust system. Jonny’s father, David, was just fine with this – he believes the Land Rover has more than enough power and torque for a 17-year-old new driver.

As a father of novice drivers myself, I would concur – but I am sure and certain that Jonny will be researching performance upgrades before too long. Silicon hoses? Upgraded intercooler? Perhaps these will be added in the future but, for now, the early Ninety with the 300Tdi is already a joy to drive.