Seeking new V8
- Thread starter jonnier
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Dr_evil
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adaptor plate if its the same GM block is about $700 from australia which works out to be a few hundred, however if you were to simply bring block and bellhousing to a machine shop they'd make you an adaptor up no problem out of 10mm steel
Tbh I'd go for the steel option, I could CAD up the part and get it made locally.
Is the rover spline and stuff the same?
I'm sorry for the questions but I've not done this before as you might guess, and thanks again for the advice and help.
I did do a bare metal rebuild of my mgb gt when I was a teenager though lol.
Is the rover spline and stuff the same?
I'm sorry for the questions but I've not done this before as you might guess, and thanks again for the advice and help.
I did do a bare metal rebuild of my mgb gt when I was a teenager though lol.
Dr_evil
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yeah you can get a 24 spline corvette clutch that'll work or drill the flywheel for a rover V8 racing clutch
before you go must buy...if its the high output police spec lump its still only 255hp..a good 4.6 with headers and cam will beat that..and be much cheaper (adapter plate +plus the rest)
and ask doc...the work in fitting non standard lump is quite extreme..dont think it will be easy, cos it aint
and ask doc...the work in fitting non standard lump is quite extreme..dont think it will be easy, cos it aint
Dr_evil
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chevy one isn't too bad, just needs new engine mounts and they weld direct to chassis
adaptor plate for gearbox is readily available too, its when you start fitting things into swb landy's that you get real issues with prop shaft length in which case things become more radical, same if you surpass the power of the gearbox. In my case if you could connect gearboxes together in parallel the big block I have would eat two R380's for breakfast and still have enough power left to munch an LT77 after!
adaptor plate for gearbox is readily available too, its when you start fitting things into swb landy's that you get real issues with prop shaft length in which case things become more radical, same if you surpass the power of the gearbox. In my case if you could connect gearboxes together in parallel the big block I have would eat two R380's for breakfast and still have enough power left to munch an LT77 after!
Zen, the problem is finding a half decent one. There are ones listed on eBay saying new head gasket required and they still want £500+. My concern is buying a Rover V8 and having the same problems again.
Power isn't the primary factor, just want something that will work and be reliable, on both petrol and LPG. Oh and not cost silly money for a engine that has a problem.
Power isn't the primary factor, just want something that will work and be reliable, on both petrol and LPG. Oh and not cost silly money for a engine that has a problem.
Dr_evil
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Rover V8's aren't the greatest design.......you'd be far better putting in the work and going jap or american if this is to be a toy or keeper
griffman
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Johnnie
there is a whole heap of engineering involved in any conversion - chevy small block is the easiest, but you said you just want a reliable engine with decent power.
I have a solution
There is a 4.6 range rover on ebay for 1500 quid - has top hat liners etc all proper.
I have spoken to the owner James - nice chap.
He lives in winchester and the car is at his oldies' place in yourkshire where it has been sorned for 18 months as he does not use it.
He has all the bills for the rebuild and the liners were fitted by oldsworthy engineering in winchester.
I was thinking of buying it as a tow tug but a disco V8 with top hat block came up so I bought that instead.
Apparently it runs perfectly
Buy it - take the engine out and strip it down to to the block, put a kent H180 in it, new lifters and timing gear, reassemble with composite head gaskets and new head bolts and you will have a great engine, about 240 bhp and over 300lbs of torque
you will also have a spare gearbox, etc etc etc etc
here is the link RANGE ROVER P38 4.6 ENGINE V8 GEMS TYPE 1994 - 1998,With Top Hat Liners. | eBay
there is a whole heap of engineering involved in any conversion - chevy small block is the easiest, but you said you just want a reliable engine with decent power.
I have a solution
There is a 4.6 range rover on ebay for 1500 quid - has top hat liners etc all proper.
I have spoken to the owner James - nice chap.
He lives in winchester and the car is at his oldies' place in yourkshire where it has been sorned for 18 months as he does not use it.
He has all the bills for the rebuild and the liners were fitted by oldsworthy engineering in winchester.
I was thinking of buying it as a tow tug but a disco V8 with top hat block came up so I bought that instead.
Apparently it runs perfectly
Buy it - take the engine out and strip it down to to the block, put a kent H180 in it, new lifters and timing gear, reassemble with composite head gaskets and new head bolts and you will have a great engine, about 240 bhp and over 300lbs of torque
you will also have a spare gearbox, etc etc etc etc
here is the link RANGE ROVER P38 4.6 ENGINE V8 GEMS TYPE 1994 - 1998,With Top Hat Liners. | eBay
Dr_evil
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1500 is a lot for what is essentially a poorly designed engine 
he could get a roller lifter 350 for 800 complete and ready to run!
It may have had top hat liners but surely there are other problems still left over from the original overbored design
he could get a roller lifter 350 for 800 complete and ready to run! It may have had top hat liners but surely there are other problems still left over from the original overbored design
Definitely want to keep it, and it will probably rack up miles as well. I do on average about 50,000 miles a year across alll my vehicles(2 bikes, a van and the currently dormant disco)
I had seen that listing, and I know Owslebury who would have done the engine as they did my heads.
It's just a bit much to be honest and I don't have anywhere to store the car or associated bits, otherwise I would buy one to break up. Plus it's in Yorkshire so getting it back would add to the cost.
Thanks for the suggestion though, all are welcome and appreciated.
infact nothing is similar in any way except they both v8..look if you after reliability etc then go buy a land cruiser etc..chevy lumps aint all that..they break..rv8 need top hat liners then they are reliable and cheap (spares)
i would buy that p38 if i had space..break it up and get back alot..then wiegh it in for another 200..SO MUCH EASIER AND CHEAPER than engine conversion..cheaper to insure too
i would buy that p38 if i had space..break it up and get back alot..then wiegh it in for another 200..SO MUCH EASIER AND CHEAPER than engine conversion..cheaper to insure too
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Right, in the interests of speed and simplicity I have plumped for the Range Rover with the rebuilt 4.6, though I didn't pay full price
All I need now is a 4.0 V8 manual flywheel. Oh and people to buy all the spare parts
I would loved to have fitted an American V8 but time and budget just isn't on my side. Need the car back on the road as soon as, so my new employee can have the van.
All I need now is a 4.0 V8 manual flywheel. Oh and people to buy all the spare parts
I would loved to have fitted an American V8 but time and budget just isn't on my side. Need the car back on the road as soon as, so my new employee can have the van.
wangie46
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Right, in the interests of speed and simplicity I have plumped for the Range Rover with the rebuilt 4.6, though I didn't pay full price
All I need now is a 4.0 V8 manual flywheel. Oh and people to buy all the spare parts
I would loved to have fitted an American V8 but time and budget just isn't on my side. Need the car back on the road as soon as, so my new employee can have the van.
Be lucky they is like rocking horse poo, there was one on ebay a few weeks ago when I went to buy it it was gone
griffman
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Right, in the interests of speed and simplicity I have plumped for the Range Rover with the rebuilt 4.6, though I didn't pay full price
All I need now is a 4.0 V8 manual flywheel. Oh and people to buy all the spare parts
I would loved to have fitted an American V8 but time and budget just isn't on my side. Need the car back on the road as soon as, so my new employee can have the van.
Johnnie
Why do you need a manual flywheel? I thought you were replacing a knackered 4.6 with a fresh 4.6!!!!
Are you doing a manual conversion as well?
