V8 Builder Surrey Area??

My 3.5 V8 90 is currently at an indie having a few jobs done, one was to check the poor starting, they have said its down on compression (which would explain why i have been looking to get more power out of it ), they mentioned it could be the cam shaft (lobs was also mentioned), but they are not V8 specialists, they are going to see if they can find someone for me, but any folks out there have any good contacts??
Is it worth putting a more modern engine in? Max budget say 1k??

How many miles has the V8 done? Have they told you what the figures were on the compression tests?

The Rover V8 camshaft does wear out after a good 100,000 miles if not before. I know it might seem quite daunting but you could easily rebuild your V8 for less than £1000. If you don't need (and it doesn't seem apparent that you do) machining done then it would be a case of strip, clean, new gaskets, bearings, cam, tappets, timing chain & gears, piston rings... etc.

On the other hand, think of the amount of required to fit another engine in. You've got to get the engine, get the adapters made up (or bought if already available), chassis mounts... etc Personally I would stick with your V8 unless you suddenly want a jump in HP.

If you do want some more power, then instead of rebuilding your 3.5 then get a 3.9, 4.2 or even a 4.6 and rebuild that instead. Although you have to go and buy a known good engine first.

Thanks for the reply, they have not done (nor have i have asked for compression tests), they are being fair by saying this is what they think it is but they are not V8 experts. Interestingly the engine has only 12k on it since a rebuild, but that rebuild was in 1990 , its an 85...

When you say poor starting, what do you mean by this?

If it was rebuilt 12k miles ago then unless they didn't replace piston rings/camshaft&tappets or it hasn't has a single oil change and been thrashed about then it should still be okay. Do you know what was done on the rebuild?

for 1k fit a chevy 383 with an LT95 and adaptor plate

Starting wise it take upto 10 seconds before it will fire and kick over, it does not fail but take a while, the indie say this is mostly likely due to the compression being down, additionally they have test driven the car and it is not performing like a standard 3.5 V8, struggles to get above 55 really.. There is no knocking, does not use oil or water.
I will find the copy of the rebuild that i have in my files... Seemed to be very extensive.

forever said:

Starting wise it take upto 10 seconds before it will fire and kick over, it does not fail but take a while, the indie say this is mostly likely due to the compression being down, additionally they have test driven the car and it is not performing like a standard 3.5 V8, struggles to get above 55 really.. There is no knocking, does not use oil or water.
I will find the copy of the rebuild that i have in my files... Seemed to be very extensive.

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Can't have been a very extensive rebuild if you've got a 3.5 that's slow to start and has no go. I await the information of the rebuild!

Is your ignition system in tip top shape? Same goes for your carburettors...

Dr_evil said:

for 1k fit a chevy 383 with an LT95 and adaptor plate

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Where do I get this Chevy 383, LT95 and an adapter plate for £1000?

marccleave said:

Can't have been a very extensive rebuild if you've got a 3.5 that's slow to start and has no go. I await the information of the rebuild!

Is your ignition system in tip top shape? Same goes for your carburettors...



Where do I get this Chevy 383, LT95 and an adapter plate for £1000?

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383 chevy = 500
LT95 = 100
Adaptor from Aus = 400

marccleave said:

Can't have been a very extensive rebuild if you've got a 3.5 that's slow to start and has no go. I await the information of the rebuild!

Is your ignition system in tip top shape? Same goes for your carburettors...



Where do I get this Chevy 383, LT95 and an adapter plate for £1000?

Click to expand...

Well it was 20 years ago , I will scan and post the details..

maybe engine is running too rich?? i would check the ignition & carburetor before looking at the internal engine. spark plugs, cables and distributor should be checked

What spark plugs do you have? What are they gapped to? Do you have genuine rotor arm & distributor cap, are you running decent leads? Is your distributor in good condition? And possibly more importantly are your carburettors setup correctly?

torlak said:

maybe engine is running too rich?? i would check the ignition & carburetor before looking at the internal engine. spark plugs, cables and distributor should be checked

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^^^ What they said.

I will ask them to check all new though less than 500 miles ago, small vid here of it running, anything you can tell from this ?
Defender 90 3.5 v8: Defender 90 3.5 v8 - YouTube

All new spark plugs, HT leads, distributor cap & rotor arm? Hmmm okay... might be an idea to get them to check hydrocarbons and CO coming out the exhaust. Would tell you how its running.

Rebuild doc attached, i got the date wrong it was 98 the engine got rebuilt it had 48k on it, they reset the clocks and its now showing 12k.

Well isn't that certainly a nice rebuild! All for a 3.5 as well! Most people junk them and fit bigger engines, more power for the same rebuild price.

You must have a nice engine (or at least, when the slow starting and lack of grunt is sorted). I take it you change/get it changed every few thousand miles. Are the internals still nice and clean inside?

everything looks like new , i think it just needs someone who knows these beasts to take a look...

So worn cam lobes seems to be the diagnostic, but now need someone willing to take on the task of sorting, so anyone out there know of someone in the Surrey area who is good with V8s??

How do you know that? Has it been taken out and looked at?

Has a compression test been done? If so what are the results... Usually tell tale signs of worn cam.

its the view of the garage, no smoking etc so he thinks its unlikely to be the bores, TBH its all a pain in the arse because noone wants to take a look at it!!

I see. Perhaps it might be an idea to look for somewhere outside the Surrey area if you can't find anything.

Sent you a PM with regards to somewhere else.