Conclusion.
It was a lot of hard work, some very UN-budgeted expenses and a couple of mishaps and feeling of despair. I have to drive a couple of thousand kilometers before I can claim this conversion to be worth while, but I think it just might be. She has got a lot more oomph compared to the 2.6l side valve and the fuel consumption is a lot better. Starting is a lot easier as well, especially in the mornings. I have to budget for an additional 30 - 60 seconds before driving though, as the glow plugs need to be warmed up before she starts.
As far as costs are concerned this is what it cost me:
Engine 1 500-00
Adapter plate 695-00
Flywheel 750-00
Radiator 1 549-00
Fuel line, other bits and pieces like mountings etc. 700-00
Alternator 839-00
Instruments 350-00
Water pipes 250-00
Timing belt 360-00
Donaldson air filter 150-00
Exhaust 1 250-00
Clutch and pressure plate 230-00
Total costs (excluding one or two forgotten items) 8 623-00
My original budget was R4 000-00, clearly not enough, so if you want to do a conversion (any conversion) sit down and make the calculations and then add a couple of extra. You probably will still fall short. Remember, there is always something that breaks, you cross thread some bolts, etc. etc. Think careful about what your intention with the conversion is, whether you have the necessary skill and knowledge but also remember, the car was made by a human, so another human can work on it, make alterations and probably make it even better.
PS. At the current fuel prices and if I drive on average 10 000km per year the following applies:
On the 2.6l sidevalve at the consumption of 4km/l it would cost me R7 050-00 for petrol. (R2.82/l)
On the RD28 at the consumption of 7.5km/l (hope I will get better) it would cost me R3 266.67 for diesel. (R2.45/l). That is an approximate saving of R3 783.33 per year so even with the additional cost of the conversion I should save on fuel expenses over a period of 2.28 years enough to warrant the costs. (Provided that the engine will last the 22 792.09km.)
Initial test show that I will get 9+km/l which will reduce the total kilometers to approximately 20 000km before I have recouperated the cost of the conversion.
04-02-2000
I have driven the Land Rover with the RD28 now for 3 000km+. I think I can safely say now that the conversion was and is a great success. Acceleration is better than with the 2.6l sidevalve, fuel consumption is a LOT better, she does not overheat with the new radiator and I can easily average the same speed and even get a bit more out of her. I can climb hills faster, she keeps her power on the up hills and doesn't loose speed and power as I used to with the 2.6l sidevalve. The only concern I have now is spares. I am holding thumbs that she'll last for the next 20 000 odd km's so that I recover my costs. Up to now several diesel mechanics have complimented me on the work as well as on the "good buy" I've made, so I am reasonably confidant that she should last at least 30 000km if not a lot more.
I truly hope the info contained in this web page will be of some help to somebody or at the very least will make for some fair reading.