The V8 Owners Forum -

I searched the old post but havent found the answer to my question. i need a range rover engine that uses a distributor as opposed to a computer. I will not be using fuel injection. (i will use a carb on whatever engine i decide on. will make an intake manifold if one is not available) on the after market) I know almost nothing about range rover v8. I apologize for asking such a newbie question but;
Which size and what years use a distributor?

4.0 and 4.2 are plentiful on craigslist but 3.5 and 3.9 are almost non existant in Western NC

Another option possibly be (using a distributorless engine) could be to change the front cover and fit a distributor, would also need a camshaft change.

You might need to do this anyway and find a short water pump to get the engine in the car and clear the radiator (Land Rover/Range Rover engines have a higher location water pump, Rover Sd1/P6'are different/lower)

Rover SD1 front covers are available and cheapish to post to US

V6 3.9 liter Buick front cover should be a bolt on swap and includes a higher output oil pump as a bonus.

Toolman
The conversion of any Rover V8 engine to dissy and carb is simple. Fit the right type of timing cover to take a dissy. Throw away the cam and fit an early style cam that takes the dissy drive cog and oil pump drive. You can get these cams from mild to wild no problem.

You have a wide choice of inlet manifolds depening on how high you want the carb to sit?
You can use Carter AFB, Weber or Holley 4 barrel carbs to suit your needs. They all bolt straight on to all of these compatible manifoilds.

I have four 4.6 engines in my garage at this time (2 are friends engines I'm working on). All have early timing covers with Mallory dissy's.
One has an edelbrock manifold with a Weber 500, one has an offy 360 manifold with a holly 600 dp carb, one has a harcourt hi riser with a holley 600dp and my own 4.6 has a modified BDC inlet manifold. ie the top from the BDC has been grafted onto a low rise Rover V8 manifold so I can use my GMC 4/71 blower. You have many many options for what you want to do my friend.

Depending on body type you may need to make a few small ajustments here and there. Here is a write up on the v8 conversion.

Have a read here:
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/v8_conversions/rogv8.html

wow you guys dont waste anytime replying....thanks. I had no idea that the buick 3.9 would interchange. in fact the last v-6 I played with was a buick 3.8(and they produced millions of those). I am going to the junk heaps tomorrow and procure a 3.9 distributor engine before I buy the range rover(for the engine). Thanks for your post and your insights. Oh yeah mgbv8 I have seen your car before on the web. sharp car!

Looks as if you have a direction now

The Buick 3.9 is a V8 with 2 cylinders chopped off and cast in iron, essentially. The V8 heads line up on the 3 cylinders, with the minor hassle of a spare cylinder sticking out at the back.....

You probably already know this company, But, they generally have loads of 215 Buick/Rover spares, and performance parts, including New after market heads, which are meant to be very good,
http://www.taperformance.com/

toolman243 wrote:wow you guys dont waste anytime replying....thanks. I had no idea that the buick 3.9 would interchange. in fact the last v-6 I played with was a buick 3.8(and they produced millions of those). I am going to the junk heaps tomorrow and procure a 3.9 distributor engine before I buy the range rover(for the engine). Thanks for your post and your insights. Oh yeah mgbv8 I have seen your car before on the web. sharp car!

Thats why I love these Rover V8 engines Toolman. They are like LEGO !!
All the parts pretty much swap out with each other so you can build your own hybrid
And if you want to stay old skool and with carbies its even easier !!

Regards
Perry

Okay I have another question......what year 3.9 covers will work to convert the 4.0 range rover to a distributor

never mind the last post.....it looks like ta performance has a timing cover that works from the 215 thru the 350.....that just totally blows my mind. BTW....I did get the 4.0 today.....bought the whole running rover for a grand....almost a shame to part it out........