Description

Leyland DAF EN 55, ET 70 1996 Service Manual

If you’re wrenching on a Leyland DAF EN 55 or an ET 70 engine, you know the aftermarket manuals are crap for torque values and timing specs. I’ve seen guys snap head bolts because they trusted a third-party reprint. This is the real thing – the 1996 factory Service Workbook from LDV, 66 pages, direct from the OEM. No guesswork, no reprinted diagrams that lost half the numbers. You get the same specs the dealer techs had.

The manual covers everything from the cylinder head to the fuel injection pump. It tells you exactly how to check valve clearance, how to pull the camshaft without messing up the timing chain, and what torque to use on the crankshaft main bearings. I’ve been turning wrenches since before some of you were born, and I still pull out a factory manual on every job that involves critical torque. This one belongs on your bench, not in a PDF folder you never open.

Let’s get into what this thing actually has. The table of contents reads like a real shop manual should: technical data, lubricants, service summary, special tools, torque wrench settings, engine remove-refit, cylinder head, timing cover, flywheel, cylinder block assembly, lubrication system, fuel system, cooling system, heater plug system. That’s the whole powertrain. And it’s all written for a technician who knows how to use a torque wrench and a dial indicator.

Torque Wrench Settings and Cylinder Head Specs

The torque spec section is what separates this manual from a generic guide. It lists values for head bolts, main bearing caps, connecting rods, flywheel, and injection pump. You get foot-pounds, not Nm converted by some intern. Page 26 – I’ve memorized that page number for the head bolt sequence on the EN 55. If you skip the tightening order, you’ll warp the head. Period. The manual shows the pattern and the two-stage torque. Do not improvise.

Does This Manual Cover the Fuel System?

Yes, and it covers it properly. There’s a whole section on the fuel injection pump: adjustments, timing check and adjustment, removal and refit. Then fuel bleeding, injectors, and the turbocharger. The EN 55 uses a rotary pump that’s picky about timing. If you’re off by a degree, the engine either smokes or lacks power. The manual gives you the procedure to set static timing with a dial gauge. No shortcuts. Also includes the heater plug system for cold starts – those plugs are easy to break if you rush.

66 Pages of OEM Data

Most aftermarket “service manuals” for these trucks are photocopies of photocopies. This one is 66 pages of original factory content, published by LDV in 1996. It includes the actual LDV copyright and part number DW03901106. That matters because the torque values and clearances are the ones the engineers tested. For example, the cylinder bore specs, ring gaps, and bearing clearances all come from the same source as the production line. You want that precision when you’re rebuilding a bottom end.

Get the Valve Clearance Right

The valve clearance adjustment procedure is on page 31 – I checked my copy. It tells you the cold clearance for intake and exhaust, and the sequence to adjust without taking off the rocker shaft. If you over-tighten, you burn a valve. If you leave too much slack, the engine rattles and loses power. The manual also covers the rocker cover cord gasket – that thing leaks if you don’t seat it properly. Use the special tool list in the manual; you’ll need a torque adapter for the rocker nuts.

Timing Chain and Camshaft: Factory Procedure

The timing cover removal and refit includes the crankshaft front oil seal replacement, timing chain and sprockets, and camshaft removal. The manual shows how to lock the camshaft in place so the timing doesn’t jump when you loosen the sprocket bolt. I’ve seen a guy snap a chain guide because he didn’t follow the order. The crankshaft torque-to-turn value is given – that’s something you never get in a Haynes manual. If the crank doesn’t turn within that spec after you torque the mains, you’ve got a bearing clearance problem. Fix it before you button up.

If you’re a DIY mechanic who wants to keep a 400-series truck on the road without paying a dealer $150 an hour, this manual pays for itself on the first valve adjustment. Pair it with the Leyland DAF Automatic Transmission 400 Service Workbook”>Leyland DAF Automatic Transmission 400 Service Workbook if you also need the drivetrain. For other equipment, check the White Outdoor LT-5 700 Series 2005 Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs”>White Outdoor LT-5 700 Series 2005 Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs or the Maruti MB308 Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs for Proper Repairs”>Maruti MB308 Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs for Proper Repairs. And if you’re comparing gearbox types, read up on Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission fundamentals and Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission design – but trust the factory manual for your specific engine.

Don’t risk a rebuild with a generic access. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and get the genuine OEM specifications that keep these Leyland DAF engines running for another hundred thousand miles.

What year is this manual for?

1996. It covers the EN 55 and ET 70 engines used in LDV 400 series trucks. The publication year is 1996, but the procedures remained valid through later production runs.

Does it include torque values in foot-pounds?

Yes. All torque wrench settings are in lb-ft. Page 26 lists critical engine fasteners. No need to convert anything.

Can I use this for a 1998 ET 70 engine?

Yes. The ET 70 engine didn’t change significantly between 1996 and 1998. The manual covers timing, injectors, and head gasket procedures that apply to those years. Always cross-check with the engine serial number if you’re unsure.

Is this a PDF reprint or a factory original?

It’s a factory original OEM manual published by LDV. The PDF is a direct scan of the printed workbook, not a third-party transcription. You get the same content as the dealer service department had.