The V8 Owners Forum -

Any recommendations on places that RV8s are advertised allot?

depends on what your after and how much you want to pay,
new or used turnkey etc,
i know the guys at caprisport (member CSR on here) have a few blocks, short engines, etc over the workshop.
and maybe a couple of complete efi engines,
i know there is a rebuilt 3.5 vittesse short engine over there with heads,
no intake etc on it, but i know they have efi systems over there too.

E-bay have a few on there, not sure if you want one for rebuild or new short engine. I would avoid anything with the words "I am advertising this for a friend" as it is often used to avoid any comeback by someone advertising a dog.
4.0s and 4.6s with less than 100k will have been removed because the block is cracked, not the end of the world but you will need to fit top hat liners at a cost of £850. New Coscast blocks (generally marketed by RPI ) seem to have a reputation for dropping liners about the same as original rover blocks, this is a bad sign as they are relatively new to market and there are not a huge number out there yet. it really depends on what you are after, RR mags and websites are also good, custom car and PPC are also worth a look. 3.5s are common, old and relativly immune to block problems (avoid p5 and p6 engines), 3.9s and 4.2s seem better than the later engines (4.0 4.6) for dropped liners. Real steel have short engines.
Sorry but a little more idea of what you are after would be handy.
Mike

Also avoid anything with TVR in the advert unlass you like giving away money, in which case give it to me and I'll find you one!
Best regards
Mike

Sorry yeah, I want a used one, don't want to pay loads of money, my 3.5 efi is making a funny noise so I want a back up, preferably something more powerful

3.9 or 4.2 sounds good, would prefer a 4.2!

What do you reckon on this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 2759.l1259

Seems a bit expensive for an RV8 without the TVR snobbery?

There arn't a huge number of 4.2s out there, so you will have to pay extra. Looks pretty clean up top for a 35k mile engine so the oil has been changed regulaly. Ask some questions of the seller, like, what rebore is it on (4.2s I think only had standard and +20 pistons available so ask if it has been rebored) ask for a photo, sump off so you can see if the bottom end looks good. Why was it removed? ( is it out a crash wreck or is it 3rd or 4th "project change of mind") was it a short engine and the heads sourced seperatly or a long engine from the factory. £459 is an OK price if it has a believable history (after asking) £600 is high, £450 is high if he cant come up with a believable story, your trying to find out if it is a bitsa that has done the rounds or a genuine pull out and is as he describes it as a "good working engine" from a reliable source.
let us know how you get on
Best regards
Mike

hmmm... I would pay 450 off a breaker yard, but i'm not so sure about this one... I suppose you take a risk with any used engine, i'll sling him a msg now, thanks for all the advice kiwi!

The thing with the 4.2 is the compression ratio. Factory engines were all 8. something to 1. I tried to get high compression pistons for a 4.2 and was told they are unavailable new. JE and DJE were selling 3.9 pistons with the crowns machined down for this block. However I didn't fancy the extra cost. I found a 4.6 from V8 developments to be better value.

Paul.

Q: Hi, 4275cc seems odd. I thought the 4.2 LSE used a 4197cc engine? Any reason why this might be? Thx, Mark 06-Jan-10
A: Hi, I'm not sure now. I always thought it was stange that they called it a 4.2 , 4275cc would basically mean it should be a 4.3 LSE. DVLA record the capacity as 4275cc for the LSE, Its on my V5C for my other LSE but I just found a link on the web has indicated the capacity as 4197cc. It is a standard LSE engine, so must just be another one of those Land Rover things! Cheers, Marc

Q: hi mate do you have any paperwok etc to prove the age? also whats included with the engine on the front of it? cheers mike 06-Jan-10
A: Hi, I just have the genuine exchange documents that Land Rover Supplied when it was fitted. The engine is a Genuine Land Rover Exchange unit & this is obvious from the re-paint & sticker on the rocker cover aswell. I also think that the block doesn't have an engine number which is another clear indication of a replacement (I'll confirm this tomorrow). I can't prove the mileage which is mainly why I have removed the rocker covers & valley gasket. It still has the front cover fitted, bottom pulley & the water pump. I have lots of other parts available. I'll add some more details & pictures to my listing. Many Thanks, Marc

Few more questions chief, has the engine been rebored and what pistons where used? Have you got a photo with the sump off so I can see if the bottom end is good? Why was the engine removed/what did it come out of, is it out of a crash wreak/mot fail...etc and what proof do you have re mileage? Is this the original engine or has it got seperately sourced/aftermarket heads...etc? 06-Jan-10
A: Hi, It is a standard dealer / factory replacement. Quite possibly brand new as opposed to recon. All internals & heads etc. will be OEM I'd say. I don't have loads of paperwork to suport the mileage which is why I took the rocker covers & valley gasket off. The Car was an L-Reg LSE with 122,000 miles on the clock & the engine was fitted in 2002 after an oil related problem with the original & the owner not stopping utill the vehicle died. I have driven the car for a few months, then scrapped due to tin worm & previous female driver denting nearly all pannels (bar one door) . Kept this engine for a project that has now changed direction (I have a BMW v8 4.4l). Many Thanks, Marc

How complete is this engine, what do I need to get it running? 06-Jan-10
A: Hi, Basically complete minus ancillaries. Included is engine, inlet manifold base & 4.2 Plenumn, exhaust manifolds, front timing cover (pre-serpentine),bottom pulley & a water pump. I'll include some new gaskets for the Rocker Cover & Valley , fitted if required. I have litterally everything you'd need to get it running from this or another Range Rover. I have bought a few now & am clearing out what I'm never going to get round to using. Starter, Alternator, Dizzy, A/C Comp, Auto Flex Plate, ECU, Loom, AFM, Even a Megasquirt setup, coil packs. Oh, You asked about pictures of the sump. I haven't removed it so don't have any pics of the crank but will if required. When I changed the oil all was good. The engine is on a stand in my workshop, I won't get a chance until Saturday morning though. I'll add some more details to the listing & some propper pictures by the weekend. Many Thanks, Marc

Sounds like a good engine to me.

But I might be a little biast as its mine!

Feel free to ask any questions you want.

GMCD wrote:But I might be a little biast as its mine!

Feel free to ask any questions you want.

I've gone off the idea sorry due to being warned about the thickness on the block between the water jacket, sorry!

Kit,

4275cc. is correct and comp ratio is 8.94/1

As correctly stated no standard higher comp pistons are available but you can safely take 20 thou. off the heads without having to machine the inlet manifold and this will give an increase of approx .5/1

The price of that 4.2 engine does not sound unreasonable for mileage and condition.

Kevin.

Kit wrote:

GMCD wrote:But I might be a little biast as its mine!

Feel free to ask any questions you want.

I've gone off the idea sorry due to being warned about the thickness on the block between the water jacket, sorry!

I don't really think that the 4.2's are prone to liner issues like the later 4.0 / 4.6's . So don't see this as an issue.

3.9's , 4.2's , 4.0's, 4.6's, 5.0's (TVR) all have the same 94mm bore.

Its the P38 engines that have a reputation for faults, due to running hot I believe although there are a few different theories. The quality of the block casting is questionable aswell on the later engine.

I wouldn't be put off a buying a 4.2 because of the wall thickness. Well not if its to be run in a farily standard state of tune. I haven't come accross any with liner issues.

Just my views, I am not trying to sell you my engine just interested.

Someone with more knowledge may well correct me.