P38A Possible engine conversions?

goreden · Nov 30, 2020

Hi all
I’m after some opinions on swapping the lump in my diesel p38 as i think it’s done a head gasket ( will update when confirmed)

I’ve been looking at swapping like for like but am worried about having the same problem again

Is there another engine that would go in fairly simply without having to go to electronics school?

All opinions appreciated

wammers · Nov 30, 2020

goreden said:
Hi all
I’m after some opinions on swapping the lump in my diesel p38 as i think it’s done a head gasket ( will update when confirmed)

I’ve been looking at swapping like for like but am worried about having the same problem again

Is there another engine that would go in fairly simply without having to go to electronics school?

All opinions appreciated

No.

tomcat59alan · Nov 30, 2020

wammers said:
No.

brianp38dse · Nov 30, 2020

The diesel has to much electronic integration to be a simple swap they are a nightmare with out adding stand alone ecu`s and other stuff,
you can get a 2.7 tdv6 fitted at an eye watering cost by some specialists.

Henry_b · Nov 30, 2020

OM606

goreden · Nov 30, 2020

Fair enough, don’t ask, don’t get i suppose

tomcat59alan · Dec 1, 2020

goreden said:
Fair enough, don’t ask, don’t get i suppose

The electrickery is the limiting factor with these beasts. I put bmc diesel with a 4 speed overdrive freewheel manual gearbox in place of a 4ltr Rolls Royce petrol and auto box into a Van den Plas 4ltr R many years ago.I had to fabricate the adapter plate and mountings myself,as well as modifying the exhaust and shortening the propshaft. You can do most things depending on your ability ,budget and equipment.

Grrrrrr · Dec 1, 2020

goreden said:
Hi all
I’m after some opinions on swapping the lump in my diesel p38 as i think it’s done a head gasket ( will update when confirmed)

I’ve been looking at swapping like for like but am worried about having the same problem again

Is there another engine that would go in fairly simply without having to go to electronics school?

All opinions appreciated

More likely cracked head.

Better off replacing the head if you're sure that's what it is.

Gunnerhavesome · Dec 1, 2020

wammers said:
No.

I do like a nice straight forward no nonsense answer.

norseman · Dec 1, 2020

tomcat59alan said:
The electrickery is the limiting factor with these beasts. I put bmc diesel with a 4 speed overdrive freewheel manual gearbox in place of a 4ltr Rolls Royce petrol and auto box into a Van den Plas 4ltr R many years ago..

In the name of God ... why

I know the so-called Rolls FB60 (so called because although it carried RR logos it was actually assembled by sub contractors) wasn't the last word in reliability, but for such a car to suffer the indignity of BMC diesel power …
No offence intended, but there are conversions & then there are conversions

tomcat59alan · Dec 2, 2020

norseman said:
In the name of God ... why
I know the so-called Rolls BF60 (so called because although it carried RR logos it was actually assembled by sub contractors) wasn't the last word in reliability, but for such a car to suffer the indignity of BMC diesel power …
No offence intended, but there are conversions & then there are conversions

They were ten a penny at the time I did it. 9 mpg on petrol to 50 plus on diesel was reason enough. Wish I still had it unconverted now

- -

norseman · Dec 2, 2020

tomcat59alan said:
They were ten a penny at the time I did it. 9 mpg on petrol to 50 plus on diesel was reason enough. Wish I still had it unconverted now- -

OK I forgive you

Another senior momement … I should have said FB60 not BF. The model could be considered a bit of a non-starter from it's introduction as far fewer potential buyers were convinced by the attributes of a RR engine in a BMC shell, so you could say they were 'ten a penny' even when new. Most were sold off as company cars for senior reps. who must have enjoyed the poke (175 brake from 4L, even if it was channelled through a slush 'box, was going some back in the 'sixties) whilst someone else picked up the tab for fuel.

falconho · Dec 2, 2020

norseman said:
OK I forgive you
Another senior momement … I should have said FB60 not BF. The model could be considered a bit of a non-starter from it's introduction as far fewer potential buyers were convinced by the attributes of a RR engine in a BMC shell, so you could say they were 'ten a penny' even when new. Most were sold off as company cars for senior reps. who must have enjoyed the poke (175 brake from 4L, even if it was channelled through a slush 'box, was going some back in the 'sixties) whilst someone else picked up the tab for fuel.

That slush box was originally used by Oldsmobile and Caddilac and Rolls Royce had it in Cloud etc

tomcat59alan · Dec 2, 2020

norseman said:
OK I forgive you
Another senior momement … I should have said FB60 not BF. The model could be considered a bit of a non-starter from it's introduction as far fewer potential buyers were convinced by the attributes of a RR engine in a BMC shell, so you could say they were 'ten a penny' even when new. Most were sold off as company cars for senior reps. who must have enjoyed the poke (175 brake from 4L, even if it was channelled through a slush 'box, was going some back in the 'sixties) whilst someone else picked up the tab for fuel.

I had a mate who worked for Granada TV.he told me a lot of stars used to ask for the VDP's to pick them up from Manchester Airport. They had four in their fleet if I remember correctly.

RangeRoller dt · Dec 5, 2020

M51 pretty bomb proof. Microfractured head/gasket easy enough to source replacement. Try to get the correct (early/late) type head save adapting it.

There are other options but you will need time money and expensive help to get it going tidy.

marjon · Dec 5, 2020

The answer is not "NO"
Now the electrickery is a problem with any change of engine type. So either stick with "like for like" to keep it simple, or bite the bullet

I will just say SBC

J

Grrrrrr · Dec 5, 2020

marjon said:
The answer is not "NO"
Now the electrickery is a problem with any change of engine type. So either stick with "like for like" to keep it simple, or bite the bullet

I will just say SBC

J

A guy from Blackpool living in the States slipped a 6.2 lump in, iirc.

marjon · Dec 5, 2020

Grrrrrr said:
A guy from Blackpool living in the States slipped a 6.2 lump in, iirc.

I just leave this here

J

brianp38dse · Dec 5, 2020

If it was an easy swap i would be putting an m57 td6 in mine.

Henry_b · Dec 5, 2020

https://rangerovers.pub/topic/1490-bmw-m57-swap-into-a-bosch-thor-v8-hse-pics

P38A Possible engine conversions?

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