The engine I offered for $750 is an hr into Virginia from the NC line.
Engine Swap Options on '87 Rover V8
Hello - first time Defender owner. 1987 original Rover V8 engine (manual 5-speed transmission).
Took it in to have carb looked at, and we talked about whether it may make sense to do an engine rebuild or maybe even a swap if it was going to cost a lot to repair. They took heads off to look inside the motor and there was scoring in cylinder walls, with cracks. Number 7 had zero compression, as well. Originally, they hoped the valve was the only issue - it was not sealing up to the head.
First option was to repair the heads, but it quickly turned into a rebuild/overhaul of the original engine (125km on it). The quote was ~ $8500 to do the rebuild.
Alternatively, he's offered to do a swap to a low mileage LC9 or L94 5.3 or 6.0 engine for ~ $27k. Or to a sbc 350 engine, while keeping my current manual transmission and carb for ~$9500, or replace the carb with a Holley EFI for an additional ~ $2200.
This truck has a rebuilt title, which I don't know is common/uncommon... but worth mentioning.
Yes, I plan on keeping the truck for near every day driving - but I also want to make sure I make the best decision for future resale value. Would you A) rebuild the engine, B) swap for the sbc 350 engine with EFI? (I can't afford the LS engine)
Took it in to have carb looked at, and we talked about whether it may make sense to do an engine rebuild or maybe even a swap if it was going to cost a lot to repair. They took heads off to look inside the motor and there was scoring in cylinder walls, with cracks. Number 7 had zero compression, as well. Originally, they hoped the valve was the only issue - it was not sealing up to the head.
First option was to repair the heads, but it quickly turned into a rebuild/overhaul of the original engine (125km on it). The quote was ~ $8500 to do the rebuild.
Alternatively, he's offered to do a swap to a low mileage LC9 or L94 5.3 or 6.0 engine for ~ $27k. Or to a sbc 350 engine, while keeping my current manual transmission and carb for ~$9500, or replace the carb with a Holley EFI for an additional ~ $2200.
This truck has a rebuilt title, which I don't know is common/uncommon... but worth mentioning.
Yes, I plan on keeping the truck for near every day driving - but I also want to make sure I make the best decision for future resale value. Would you A) rebuild the engine, B) swap for the sbc 350 engine with EFI? (I can't afford the LS engine)
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I would take up Doug's great offer. Least painful way to go. I would also have a Crower cam, new lifters and timing chain done before you drop it in.
Don't want to further confuse you. Really isolate your key factors, what's most important to you. That should guide you towards the right engine. For me, I wanted it to look stock OEM, but go like stink. So I removed the NAS 3.9L V8 (I had a blower on that for 20 years) and replaced the long block with a 4.6 with cleaned up heads/bigger valves, bumped compression ratio up to 9.8, used the Piper 270 cam, the associated EFI mods and chip from Mark Adams at Tornado (UK), a self-designed cold air intake and the Dakar monifolds from John Eales in the UK. The plenum still says 3.9. I am very, very happy with this engine - looks stock but runs like a scalded dog. I would bet it is putting out just north of 300 hp. And that seems to be perfect for the Defender frame and suspension. I wanted to go LS. But really, a Defender is not a dragster right? This 4.6 has gobs of torque, really gets the D90 moving and definitely glues you into the seat. The mileage does not seem to differ from my old 3.9. I looked long and hard at an LS conversion. But it requires complete change of driveline components as well as suspension and instrumentation. And I'm a sucker for stock-looking vehicles. I couldn't be happier. Just start with a known good block as 4.6 blocks are known to crack.
I have a 1988 D110, v8, 3.5L engine. Changed the Camshaft and carbs, added 50hp and drives nice. Cost about $7k, including a lot of other work. May be you should try that.
$8500 for just the rebuild is expensive. A performance rebuilt Rover V8 should be more around $6-7k. A well built 3.5 can put out 250hp, 250tq and have nice drivability.
No personal experience but have heard good things..
thewedgeshopstore.com
TWS High Performance 3.5lt Rover Long Block - 260hp 220tq
We have been building high performance Rover V8 engines for over 25 years. Let us build your motor today!
thewedgeshopstore.com
I just used them....my rig is a lot quicker!No personal experience but have heard good things..
TWS High Performance 3.5lt Rover Long Block - 260hp 220tq
We have been building high performance Rover V8 engines for over 25 years. Let us build your motor today!
I do believe a company called pace automotive in the UK does stand alone ecu for the gems conversion as well.
I'm curious about this color... Is it a Rover color or something else? I ask because I'm starting a mental log of possible colors for my truck.No, wouldn’t go there.
But we do lift the entire lump (engine,trans,tcase) in with all ancillaries as a single piece. Typically switch to the euro shorter belt no a/c compressor setup. Currently building my daughter a lhd 110 5 door using the drivetrain from a d1 she rolled in “spare” time. In month 13. Galv frame, galv cappings, galv T posts, & galv bulkhead. Doors are also all steel/galvanized ones I’m currently building out the shells. Given her history of rolling multiple vehicles it’s getting a full external SD cage. Old pics from last fall. So far has all been outside, inside is full of customer trucks. Part of delay is I’m also painting it myself piece by piece.
Trey just grudgingly installed the lokar shifter and linkages yesterday. He doesn’t like helping with a truck for his sister. Current plan is to run this one to up to Ny for Jubilee event work weekend in May and then up to Maine to help a friend put up a timber frame cabin the following week ( got most of this trucks body from same guy for $400 & a bottle of Buffalo Trace). If it does that 2k test drive we’ll hand it off to her. View attachment 485718
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Thanks!
Mercedes Blue GreyI'm curious about this color... Is it a Rover color or something else? I ask because I'm starting a mental log of possible colors for my truck.
Thanks!
Thank you. I’ll add it to my list!
Interestingly I took an RAF blue panel from my series 1 to be paint scanned at Napa and it came back as a match for Mercedes blue grey..Mercedes Blue Grey
Also listed as Amazon blue because I guess thats what they use for their delivery trucks.
AH! That's good to know (Amazon color) as I can see it in daylight to get a good feel for it.
I have a new(break-in miles) studded and sleeved 4.6 V8 for sale. It comes with a really clean D2 that needs a body harness. It';s got new BFG tires too.
PM if interested.
PM if interested.
21 - 34 of 34 Posts
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