How Can I Fit A 3.5 V8 Rover Unit to my S2

Hi Folks,

Been a Landie enthusiast for a few years now but no expert and only delved into the everyday run o’ the mill, repairs, chassis welding, replacing mechanical disasters etc, etc. when the needs arose. I have yet to get into the realms of customising, converting chopping or botching and this is where I need a wee bit o’ help.

After a few years of doing me proud, my baby, the S2 (Petrol, standard 2 1/4)needed more chassis work than normal and I have started a full strip down and rebuild.

Now here’s the question I hope one of you kind chaps (or chapesses, do we have any?) will help with.

I have become the proud (yet to be certified) owner of a 3.5 V8 Rover Engine minus the flywheel. My old S2 gearbox has a Fairey O/D unit fitted. Can anyone tell me the ease at which the V8 can be accommodated in my S2 as it stands.

Can I keep my gearbox and o/d? The Landy will be used for off road but not competition and more of a toy than everyday transport although it will be used on the road as well. The one thing I have noticed but assumed that there would be some sort of conversion unit, the starter motor is on the opposite side.

Thanks folks, in anticipation of lots of helpful stuff.

By the way, I’ve tried using the search engine but getting bogged down in other stuff to do with Diesel, LPG, Mazda, Montego, TDi’s etc etc.

Hi yes the V8 can be fitted into your series 2 but you will have to take an angle grinder to the bulkhead (passenger side footwell), and move your battery. Dont forget that you will need to get an adaptor plate and exhaust as well as the fly wheel. It may be easy to purchase a 200tdi and fit.

OK, well over the years I've collected all the "How To" info on the variouse conversion I could find, pondering pretty much the same with My SIII a few years back. It was on my webby, but the lease on the url expired and I decided to leave it off-line for a 'make-over'...... HOWEVER
If you'll excuse dead links and duff layout, content is in some pages in my development area;

Start here with:V8 Conversions - Like Skinning cats, there's more than one way to do it!
Has links to others, inclusing, usefully: Dropping in a V8 - The 'Period' conversion, V8-ing By Robert Ivings
And, V8 into Light-weight! - The 'Period' conversion, this time V8-ing by John Craddock
Plenty in there to think about / help out

you do not need to move the battery,not in a series 3 anyway.

series two's are a bit diferent bigchap, my mate did one and it was a pain in the arse to do

i've just realised what a silly comment i made.i'm off to stand in the corner with my pointy hat on.