3.5 rovers???

[J_Dub]

found a surf fitted with 3.5 rover, going sweet, for pretty cheap. whats the general view on these engines? or are there heaps a variations in different models??
easy to work on? parts? reliability?
might be worth a look for a cheap bolt in conversion??
worth a look or too old school?

[juz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_V8_engine
Good wee bit of reading, Rover V8 Surf! Sounds tuff! Do it!

[coxsy]

its a buick engine built under liecence by rover, a good engine ali light in mass, good power

[J_Dub]

they seemed to be the bees knees bak in there day.
my uncle did a ground up rebuild on a Vauxhal Cheviot and fitted 1 a these to it, worked to the days, not ya first choice of builds but thats why he did it and it friken screamed, would be good to hear from some rover owners

[muddyhilux]

old mate of mine used to own a rover v8,ae yeh it screamed for sure,it just kept pulling,dont kno much about them but from my experience in his car if one came up cheap id probly be tempted

[J_Dub]

old mate of mine used to own a rover v8,ae yeh it screamed for sure,it just kept pulling,dont kno much about them but from my experience in his car if one came up cheap id probly be tempted

hes asking $1000 for complete motor, half exhaust, bellhousing, clutch with a near new 400 holley, and its to suit same gearbox as mine, ide get $500 for my motor so.....

[niblik]

they lift their pettycoats at the site of water...

[DieselBoy]

Just co's its a V8 doesn't mean that its powerfull, it just means it has 8 cylinders

The EFI 3.5's do a whole 115kw@4750rpm , carbed do 93kw@4000rpm, in standard trim. Both do a max torque of 258nm @2500rpm though, and it remains flat through the rev range.

A 3.8 V6 commy pumps out 127kw@4800rpm and 293nm@3600rpm.

A Toyota 3rz-fe 2.7L 4cyl pumps out 112kw@4800 and 240nm@4000

Haven't got any weights of the engines on file, that would be another interesting factor

[turoa]

a 3.5 is a good start. they are good motors that loved to be thrashed. there are some good stories floating around of how well they can withstand abuse. 3.5's are a good base, and with the option of going up to a 3.9, 4.6, p76 motor (a 4.4), or even a stroked rover they make a very good conversion. One of the best sounding motors ever!

[Landy Rover]

A decent cam installed is the trick, the standard cam is sooo mild therefore make no real power and torque, but they go forever

[muddyhilux]

mhm,yeh id be thinking about that

[Pedro]

they lift their pettycoats at the site of water...

shove a chev HEI ign system and it then becomes what water??,

[lneil]

its a buick engine built under liecence by rover, a good engine ali light in mass, good power

My understanding is that it was Buick design, but the entire engine and rights were sold to Rover very early on, as the American industry at that time saw no future for the particular configuration (very small capacity Alloy V8). Therefore not built under licence but actually owned entirely by Rover.

The fact that for many many years these motors were virtually unobtainable as every jetboater on the water seemed to want one probably says a lot about their potential, but in stock-standard form they are certainly a bit breathless compared to what we have become used to.

I believe that fuel injection makes a big difference to their mediocre standard output.

(Of course, I stand to be corrected on any or all of the above.)

[Landy Rover]

its a buick engine built under liecence by rover, a good engine ali light in mass, good power

My understanding is that it was Buick design, but the entire engine and rights were sold to Rover very early on, as the American industry at that time saw no future for the particular configuration (very small capacity Alloy V8). Therefore not built under licence but actually owned entirely by Rover.

The fact that for many many years these motors were virtually unobtainable as every jetboater on the water seemed to want one and its P76 Leyland cousin probably says a lot about their potential, but in stock-standard form they are certainly a bit breathless compared to what we have become used to.

I believe that fuel injection makes a big difference to their mediocre standard output.

(Of course, I stand to be corrected on any or all of the above.)

[J_Dub]

well you guys arent giving me any reason to doubt them... its converted to elec dizzy, 400 holley and a town n country cam, weather thats a step up or not????
Reading up on them, they were popular for the boaties and race cars, guess that says alot..
the adaptor is for a w series toyota box though, ive got a g series.
I know they arent power houses, but surely for the price its a good start, and can be worked on and improved

[Heath]

well you guys arent giving me any reason to doubt them... its converted to elec dizzy, 400 holley and a town n country cam, weather thats a step up or not????
Reading up on them, they were popular for the boaties and race cars, guess that says alot..
the adaptor is for a w series toyota box though, ive got a g series.
I know they arent power houses, but surely for the price its a good start, and can be worked on and improved

DOOOOO EITTTTTTTT!!!

Can always sell it in bits if you decide you dont want it. Think of the sound.

Sorry I cant add anything of any value at all, but I'd do it.

[LOLYF]

W and G box's have the same bolt pattern, so it will work on your box. Only the R box's are different.

[DieselBoy]

So why wouldn't you put a Commy V6 in it?? Better bang for buck i would say !!!!!!!!

[Petemcc]

Wouldn't all the bits to get the commy to match up to your box or commy trans up to transfer cost a fair bit more than $1000? Seems like most things come with it for $1000 might not have quite the power but would be cheaper and it would be cooler than the 3y in there currently. Feel free to prove me wrong though, I don't know for sure the costs involved with the commy swap. I would go for it

[J_Dub]

Wouldn't all the bits to get the commy to match up to your box or commy trans up to transfer cost a fair bit more than $1000? Seems like most things come with it for $1000 might not have quite the power but would be cheaper and it would be cooler than the 3y in there currently. Feel free to prove me wrong though, I don't know for sure the costs involved with the commy swap. I would go for it

exactly

the whole point of considering this is just the fact its plug and play, and i could improve on it down the track, the "8" factor has some appeal too..

DB, i know they aint power houses, i swear by the comy v6s, ive owned a few, a 3rz would be awesome, but im not trying to build the best truck here, ive gota watch my funds, so not every option I consider will be the best, but more so realistic.......

[Heath]

Wouldn't all the bits to get the commy to match up to your box or commy trans up to transfer cost a fair bit more than $1000? Seems like most things come with it for $1000 might not have quite the power but would be cheaper and it would be cooler than the 3y in there currently. Feel free to prove me wrong though, I don't know for sure the costs involved with the commy swap. I would go for it

exactly

the whole point of considering this is just the fact its plug and play, and i could improve on it down the track, the "8" factor has some appeal too..

DB, i know they aint power houses, i swear by the comy v6s, ive owned a few, a 3rz would be awesome, but im not trying to build the best truck here, ive gota watch my funds, so not every option I consider will be the best, but more so realistic.......

I think you have your answer. You want to do it.

[J_Dub]

its funny, theres other engines i would definatley prefer to fit... they are either pricey, hard to find or require money for parts to fit, but if thats the case, its gota be done, but i just wana get opinions on these 3.5s?? doesnt mean im going to buy it tomorrow and that no other engine compares

[DieselBoy]

Ok, well if you must

The common problems are:

They can be hard to cool adequately, like a Chev

They blow head gaskets regularly due to the head bolt pattern.

They suffer from vacum leaks around the intake manifold area due to poor machining/bolt pattern.

They all seem to suffer from premature cam/lifter wear (your after market cam shaft might be made from better grade material??)

Timing chains seem to need replacing around the same time as the cam shaft and lifters.

They don't sound anything like a Chev/lexus/Nissan/ford V8, as the firing order is different. The sounds more like a big 6 cyl untill they rev.


Totally understand the plug and play, and especially being carbed, you have what, 3 wires to plug in and make it run????

[DieselBoy]

Oh, and the carbed one's are VERY thirsty

[J_Dub]

was wondering about fuel consumption, but then the 3y is thirsty as fook, i rekon they be the same, less effort to push it alone, im lucky if i get 400ks with the 3y

[Sadam_Husain]

hes asking $1000 for complete motor, half exhaust, bellhousing, clutch with a near new 400 holley, and its to suit same gearbox as mine, ide get $500 for my motor so.....

Do it mate

try and get him to cut the mounts off the surf for you as well so you dont have to go frabricating anything

[Dr_PC]

Cam shaft (Speedway Grind) and Methonol injection nothing will touch you

[J_Dub]

it sold before i had a chance to view it, it was out Helensville, im in Pukekohe, no phased though