series V8 adapter

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Qwertyman

New Member
Posts
3
Location
West Midlands
Hi,

I sold the engine and gearbox out of my series land rover to finance buying a rover V8 engine and a LT77 tdi defender gearbox.

I thought that the Lt77 bell housing would fit the rover engine but it does not.

Does anyone know if it can be easily adapted to fit the engine?
 
You need an adapter plate like this one. They do come up from time to time on various auction sites
You will also need new engine mounts
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I guess with LT77 + V8 you'll be having to fit a defender front end? The LT77 and R380 (even with stubby bell-housing) are 100mm longer than a series box so with an 88" series, the rear prop-shaft is to short to take 100mm out, so you have to move everything forward 100mm, this means no more series front end.

I've looked into this in the past, and there's no getting away from it. So for mine I have a 3.9 Serp V8 with standard late S3 gearbox and Fairey overdrive, I've been running it for years like this with no issues.

There is more to the adapter kit than just the adapter plate it's self when fitting a V8 to a Landy gearbox. Depending on the conversion kit, (mine is a Phillips Milner) you also have a spigot adapter that bolts on the crank and usually have to grind about 10-15mm off the end of the crank.
 
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Well I'm running a 3.9 non serp with a defender LT77. Yes the rear prop is short and I had to create a cut-out in the gearbox cross member for the front prop but I haven't changed the front end at all. I use a 200tdi rad with an electric fan, took off the engine fan and cut the front of the water pump pulley stub so it didn't hole the rad, made up some new engine mounts and some new g/b mounts so it sat as far forward as possible and it has been like that for ages. I did have to trim the gearbox spline and make up a special bush. Oh... and get a remote oil filter as the front axle can crash into the original position very easily AND the exhaust manifold is a very tight fit on the drivers side AND you have to cut and make the passenger side footwell narrower to make way for the other manifold
Finally the exhaust was a bitch to make. I'm sure this has been covered before in various forums - do a search. I seem to remember Satancom did a brill write up on this over on Landrover UK.
 
Recently put a defender lt77 box and 230 transfer in my 88" 2a V8,its a tight fit but it does go.
you'll need the series to v8 adaptor plate plus the modified spigot bush (input shaft spigot on the LT77 is same diameter as series),if the V8 flywheel has been drilled to take a series clutch all you need is a tdi clutch to match the splines on the LT77 input shaft.
All you need to do then is bolt the box to the engine and then fit them :)
 
Hi,
I am having the same dilemma, I bought a Defender LT77 gearbox and V8 adapter ring however the gearbox fouls on the Discovery clutch bolts.

Is it just a case that I need to buy a new defender Tdi clutch and get the flywheel drilled to take the Tdi clutch?
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I initially had the series 11a gearbox mated to rover v8 3.5 with 9.5 clutch plate and series pressure plate.via a Phillips Milner adaptor ring
I have now replaced the series gearbox with a stubby r380 5 speed.via the same adaptor.
My qestion is what clutch and pressure plate and clutch slave cylinder do I need in order for everything g to work properly.

I have searched and made phone calls ,but to be honest am still none the wiser.
with regard to solving the problem. I trust that someone will be able to enlighten me .
Any help really appreciated.
 
I guess with LT77 + V8 you'll be having to fit a defender front end? The LT77 and R380 (even with stubby bell-housing) are 100mm longer than a series box so with an 88" series, the rear prop-shaft is to short to take 100mm out, so you have to move everything forward 100mm, this means no more series front end.

I've looked into this in the past, and there's no getting away from it. So for mine I have a 3.9 Serp V8 with standard late S3 gearbox and Fairey overdrive, I've been running it for years like this with no issues.

There is more to the adapter kit than just the adapter plate it's self when fitting a V8 to a Landy gearbox. Depending on the conversion kit, (mine is a Phillips Milner) you also have a spigot adapter that bolts on the crank and usually have to grind about 10-15mm off the end of the crank.
People run 80” V8 coilers with much shorter props.
 
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