History
Leyland Sherpa Van
| 1974 to 1982 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | British Leyland (Austin Morris) |
| Also called | Morris Sherpa |
| Production | 1974–1982 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Van |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Morris J4 |
| Successor | Freight Rover Sherpa |
History
Hewn from the Morris/BMC J4 & JU250 vans of the 60s, the core vehicle went through a series of developments, the main one being the revision of the forward control layout of the J4 and moving the engine ahead of the cab and accessible via a bonnet. This allowed the wheelbase to be extended resulting in greater stability, payload, side loading and the distinctive 'Sherpa' profile (though the last of the J4s and the first Sherpa are largely identical from the rear).
The Sherpa gave way to the Freight Rover 200 Series and in turn the Leyland DAF 200 Series before finally becoming the Pilot after LDV was formed in 1993. It was originally designed to be built on car production lines which led to it having a narrow track. This feature was made into a virtue in later publicity by stressing its ability in narrow city streets.
Originally developed by British Leyland the model was launched in 1974 under the nameplate Leyland Van. A year later the name of the model was changed to the Leyland Sherpa. The Sherpa would then be branded by Morris and later Freight Rover.
The initial Sherpa line-up consisted of vans in 185, 215 and 240 versions (where 185 denotes a GVW of 1.85 tons, and so on); pick-ups in 215 and 240 versions; a 240 crewbus and minibus; and various chassis-cab options in 220 and 250 versions.
Payloads were quoted as 13/14cwt for the 185; 18/19cwt for the 215 and 220; and 22/23cwt for the 240 and 250. Loadspace, at 190 cubic feet (5.4 m3), was considerably higher than that of the J4 and only just short of the 250JU's.
In 1978 the 1.7- and 2.0-litre O-series engines replaced the original 1622 cc and 1798 cc B-series petrol units, while the 1798 cc B-series diesel stayed put. The range was redesignated accordingly:- vans: 200, 230 and 250; pick-ups: 230 and 250; minibus and crewbus: 250 only; chassis-cab: 255 only. A few months later, the Sherpa was rebadged as a Morris. In 1981, BL created the Freight Rover division as part of the Land Rover group, so the Sherpa's badges were changed again.
Film appearance
A first generation Sherpa van made an appearance in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me which was driven by the villainous Jaws (Richard Kiel) on a journey through the Sahara Desert, with Bond (Roger Moore) and his partner Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) hiding in the back in their quest to recover a microfilm crucial to their mission. They managed to escape in the vehicle after retrieving the microfilm but were unable to complete their journey due to the damage that Jaws had inflicted upon it in his earlier attempt to prevent them from escaping. In Billy Elliot movie there was a Leyland Sherpa (1984)
Sherpa van in James Bond The Spy Who Loved Me film
Leyland Sherpa van Jaws Used by Jaws posing as a telephone engineer. He subsequently tears it apart trying to thwart Bond and Anya's escape. The van's engine eventually overheats and seizes in the middle of the desert
Technical
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Leyland Sherpa Van Technical details and specifications (1974-1982)
Sherpa/200/300/400 Series 1.6 (1974-1978)
No. of cylinders 4 OHV
Capacity 1622 cc
Compression ratio 7.5:1
Suitable for unleaded petrol No
Minimum octane rating 91 RON
Fuel system Make SU Type HS6
Ignition coil Make Lucas Type LA12
Distributor Make Lucas No.415791.7 L petrol BL O-Series engine
Spark plugs Electrode gap 0.6-0.9mm
Spark plugs Tighten 10 Nm
Spark plugs Original equipment Champion Type RS9YCC
Spark plugs Make Bosch Type HR7D
Spark plugs Make NGK Type BP6EFS
Valve clearance -INLET 0.30 mm check cold
Valve clearance -EXHAUST 0.30 mm check cold
Engine oil change with filter 4.0 litres
Engine oil grade - normal/moderate climate 10W/40 SAE
Cooling system 5.7 litres
Drive belt size - alternator 9,5x875mm
Drive belt tension - alternator 13mm
Cylinder head fitting instructions
Cylinder head Stage 1 Tighten 48 Nm
Cylinder head Stage 2 Tighten 84 NmSherpa/200/300/400 Series 1.8D (1974-1986)
No. of cylinders 4 OHV
Capacity 1798 cc
Compression ratio 1:21.5
Fuel/injection pump assembly Part No.3247F180
Fuel feed/lift pump delivery pressure 0.38 bar
Injection sequence 1-3-4-2
Nozzle and holder assembly Part No.BDN0SPC 6651
Nozzle opening pressure - 137/124 bar
Crankshaft position 18°BTDC
Idle speed 650-700 rpm
Oil temperature 80 °C2.0 L petrol BL O-Series engine
No. of cylinders 4/OHC 1994 cc
Compression ratio 9.0:1
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Fuel system Make SU Type HIF 6 Carb-VV
Ignition coil Make Lucas Type 16C6/HA12
Ballast resistance 1.3-1.6 Ohm
Fuel pump delivery pressure 0.2 bar
Compression pressure 12-14 bar
Oil pressure 4.2-6.3 bar
Radiator cap 1.05 bar
Thermostat opens 82°C
Distributor Make Lucas No. 41731 later
Distributor Contact breaker gap 0.4 mm
Distributor Dwell angle 52-62° (58-69%)
Starter motor Make Lucas Type 2M100P/E
Maximum cranking amps 149-182A
Alternator/Regulator Make Lucas Type 18ACR
Regulated voltage 14.0-14.4V© Motor car History
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Service
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Leyland Sherpa Van maintenance and Service Guide (1974-1982)
Sherpa 1.6 /200/300/400 Series (1974-1978)
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Contact breaker gap 0.4 mm
Spark plug Type RN9YCC
Electrode gap 0.8 mm
Fuel pump pressure 0.3 bar
Oil pressure bar 3.5
Valve clearance cold-INLET 0.38 mm
Valve clearance cold -EXHAUST 0.38 mm
Engine oil grade - moderate climate 10W/30 SAE
Engine oil with filter 4.0 litres
Manual gearbox 3.0 litres with OD=3.5 v
Automatic transmission 5.1 litres
Differential oil rear 1.1 litres
Cooling system 6.3 litresTightening torques
Cylinder head instructions
Cylinder head Stage 1 Tighten 68 Nm
Other tightening torques
Main bearings Stage 1 95 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 1 47 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate 47 Nm
Spark plugs 24 Nm
Road wheels 88 Nm1.7 L petrol BL O-Series engine
Spark plugs Electrode gap 0.6-0.9mm
Spark plugs Tighten 10 Nm
Spark plugs Original equipment Champion Type RS9YCC
Spark plugs Make Bosch Type HR7D
Spark plugs Make NGK Type BP6EFS
Valve clearance -INLET 0.30 mm check cold
Valve clearance -EXHAUST 0.30 mm check cold
Engine oil change with filter 4.0 litres
Engine oil grade - normal/moderate climate 10W/40 SAE
Cooling system 5.7 litres
Drive belt size - alternator 9,5x875mm
Drive belt tension - alternator 13mm
Cylinder head fitting instructions
Cylinder head Stage 1 Tighten 48 Nm
Cylinder head Stage 2 Tighten 84 NmSherpa/200/300/400 Series 1.8D (1974-1986)
Starter motor Make LucasType 2M100
Glow plug activation time 20 secs Max
Glow plug - part no.Bosch 0 250 200 053
Valve clearance - INLET 0.35 mm (cold)
Valve clearance - EXHAUST 0.35 mm (cold)
Compression pressure 28 bar
Oil pressure 3.5 bar
Thermostat open 82°C
Drive belt size - alternator 10x1225 mm
Engine oil grade - normal climate 15W/50 SAE
Engine oil with filter 4.3 litres
Manual gearbox oil grade 90W SAE
Manual gearbox oil 4/5 speed 2.0 litres
Differential oil grade rear 90W SAE
Cooling system 6.7 litres
Tightening torques Road wheels 80-90 Nm2.0 L petrol BL O-Series engine
Spark plugs Electrode gap 0.6-0.8mm
Original equipment Champion Type RS9YCC
Spark plugs Tighten 10 Nm
Spark plugs Make Bosch Type H6DC
Spark plugs Make NGK Type BP6ES
Valve clearance -INLET 0.30mm check cold
Valve clearance -EXHAUST 0.30mm check cold
Drive belt tension - alternator 6.0mm
Engine oil grade - normal/moderate climate 10W/40SAE
Engine oil change with filter 6.0 litres
Cooling system 6.2 litresTightening torques
Cylinder head instructions
Cylinder head Stage 1 Tighten 48 Nm
Cylinder head Stage 2 Tighten 97 Nm
Cylinder head Stage 3 Tighten Run engine 15 minutes
Cylinder head Stage 4 Tighten Wait 2 hours
Cylinder head Stage 5 Tighten Loosen+97 Nm
Cylinder head Stage 6 Tighten 97 Nm© Motor car History
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