The V8 Owners Forum -

Hello
I have a 1986 V8 110 County Landrover running on SU carbs. 110,000 miles, no rattles, smoke, or other mentioned V8 horror stories. Oil stays nice and clean. It's actually ex BT so I assume it has been well looked after by the PO! Serviced on a regular basis, C0 set at 3.5%

I am often pulling a car trailer and a "ton" of spares around with it (I go stage rallying) and while I can "accept" the awful economy I feel it is lacking in torque and much gearbox sturring is required.
what I have read in this forum and others is that I have the following options, without changing engines or a massive strip and rebuild job!

I would appreciate your comments:

1.. Dump SU's and fit a Weber and associated parts
2.. Try and find a GEMS or Thor type inlet manifold and go FI
3.. With above go Megasquirt, SDS or similiar

Appreciate the help
Malc

You may find that there's 'restrictors' in the inlet manifold. If you take off one of the carbs, and look into the hole it reveals, you may see something that looks like a plug with about 7 holes. Pull it out (and do the same on the other side), then put it back together.

Other than that, I'd just get a Range Rover EFi engine of some sort and drop that in, there'll be a huge power difference.

SU's are good for 200BHP.

Chris.

I would say in this case the SU's are better than the 500 carb as its torque your after, efi might help. I think your biggest problem is your trying to move the best part of 3-4 ton and much as I hate to say it but I think a diesel would be better suited to what your doing.

Hi Malc,

After 110,000 miles there is a chance that some engine components could be worn. Camshaft, dizzy etc. These could cause you to be down on power. Have you changed the gearing or fitted bigger tyres? (Should be 32" i.e. 235/85R16 or 7.50x16) A 110 V8 should pull reasonably well even with a heavy trailer.

If none of that applies then the best route to more torque is more capacity. Fit a 5+ litre engine

Jon

Thanks for the replies
My 110 is bog standard with no added toys

The engine is fitted with a Lucas electronic distributor, no points, and module. There isn't any bearing wear in the dizzy.
The timing is retarded as specified for unleaded.

Is there any "easy" way of checking the camshaft for wear? IE avoid pulling the engine apart?

I will check for restrictor plates in the manifold this weekend

In a way Diesel would make more sense, but until recently LR diesels were awful and a "suitable" substitute such as a GM 5.7l V8 diesel are way out of my budget. Plus concidering the mileage I do in the LR it's not really worth it

It is running on standard 7.5 x 16 tyres and the gearbox is a Santana spec 5 speed.

Malc

Malc, your camshaft will almost certainly be well worn at that mileage. It can be checked in-situ, there are ways!! Your engine, if original, will be a low compression also - this doesn't help. There are mods that can be done to the dizzy advance curve to get a bit more mid-range oomph out of it.
Whereabouts are you? I'm on the West side of Elgin, near Kinloss.

Thanks Badger,
As far as I know the engine is original, numbers match anyway!
I assume I need to check how much lift I am getting out of the cam to see if it's worn our or not?
However I think I need to wait till it gets abit warmer before pulling it apart!
I have seen "kits" to overhaul the camshaft, any anybody would recommend?
The compression is good and there is no nasty black sludge anywhere so I am (wrongly?) assumiing it's in reasonable condition considering its age and mileage

I'm near Stonehaven guess you know Bitzmotorsport in Cawdor? that's where the rallying connection comes from!
regards
Malc

Hi Malc. The overhaul "kits" are fine for what they are, but tend to have the tin inlet gasket instead of the better composite ones, that's why I don't use the kits.
If you're planning on coming over this way let me know, if the workshop is clear it isn't a big job to check the lobes for wear. FWIW, I build a lot of V8 engines, mainly for Hillrally use. You may have seen my 110 at stage rally's, white recovery unit "Shire Recovery"?
I know Dave and Annabele well, been trying to get Dave to part with a number plate I want for years now!! LOL!

Ah!
Wouldn't happen to be the reg number that was on the Metro by any chance

I'm guilty of being "involved" with the Lancia Delta Integrale

Need to set a "date" so you can give me your wisdom regarding "Katy"
my Landy

Cheers
Malc

PS probably / definitely up for the Snowman Rally

'Twas indeed that number, Malc! Seein' as part of my business is gas conversions and I'm hanging around a V8 forum, you can guess why I wanted it! Tight old sod won't sell me it though, hahahaha.
Lancia, eh? Probably one of the few cars to have worse electrics than a landrover........
Got a discovery in for a gas conversion on the 27th, hoping to have it done by the 30th, so any time after that you're heading this way just gimme a shout. Will be very busy roundabout "Snowman" time, got to rebuild a 3.9 and fit it to one of the rescue units that's travelling up for the event, along with a spot of other work on another v8 that's coming up with a marshal.
Hey, considered fitting a 3.9? Chalk and cheese from a 3.5 low-comp. engine in a 110. (My 110 has a 4.7 and ZF auto, scares the local boy racers.... teeheehee )