Date:    14 Jun 1990 08:46:57 GMT
From:    mike@minster.york.ac.uk
To:      lro@stratus.com

Subject: Engines



Putting the Rover V8 engine is quite common over here, indeed, some versions
of the Land Rover come with it as standard. This is a low compression
version, ie., less power but more low end torque, though of course the
"standard" versions will work just as well. A friend of mine fitted an
early high-compression V8 into an ex-Army lightweight, never found out
how fast it would go, bottled out at about 100mph. So far as I know, the
biggest change is a new bell housing (engine->gearbox) but these are
obtainable from some specialist manufacturers. To squeeze the V8 into a
Series 1 you apparently need to move the radiator forward, but I don't
think this is needed from Series II onwards ('cos its 2 inches
longer forward of the bulkhead).

An alternative is some Ford V6 engine, but I don't know so much about
this. My impression is that it is quite a good compromise, and conversion
kits are available.

Hope that helps. I might be able to find some addresses if its of
interest (though I'll be away most of the summer 'till late August).

mike