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Thread: 3.5 v8 Dead - options

  1. #1
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    Unhappy 3.5 v8 Dead - options

    Hi All,

    Well my biggest fear has come true - the 3.5v8 in my 101 is officially dead.

    I had sent it back to the mechanics because it was running very poorly (no power, over heating, missing, etc).

    The diagnosis came back with the following compression test:
    1-40 3-75 5-95 7-75
    2-75 4-95 6-0 8-55

    The mechanic said that rebuilding the engine will not be a cheap option and that I should look at replacing the engine.
    I myself do not have the experience, knowledge or equipment to attempt an engine rebuild.
    And considering it is coming out of a 101 ambulance body - it's isn't going to be fun.

    So this leaves me at a cross road - and I would appreciate some advice from the brains trust on here.

    1) Should I replace the 3.5 - with a second hand unit (probably the cheapest option) ?

    2) Should I replace the 3.5 - with a re-conditioned unit from a Land Rover specialist ?

    3) Should I replace the 3.5 - with a 3.9, 4.0 or 4.6 ?

    4) Will a 3.9, 4.0 or 4.6 slot straight in? Will it fit in a 101? Is the block the same?

    5) Knowing that the later 3.5, 3.9, 4.0 & 4.6 had various forms of fuel injection/electronics, what is involved with removing the electronics and retro fitting the carbies from my existing 3.5?

    My problem is this - I do not have an unlimited budget. And I cannot do the work myself - so I will be outsourcing the project, which I expect will cost a bit of money on labour.

    If I had unlimited funds then I would put a diesel in it - but I simply do not have these funds available.

    I have seen 3.5 engines for about $1,000 - and been told that a new 4.6 could cost up to $8K....

    So I have to make some tough decisions:

    a) Buy second hand or new?
    b) Go for a 3.9, 4.0 or 4.6 - assuming that it will fit/work...

    Opinions? Ideas?
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  2. #2
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    A second hand running 3.5 should cost you a small number of $hundreds at most and it could run for many years yet. For example, I'm wrecking an '89 RRC, and at around 300,000km old the engine runs fine. They are the slowest yet longest lived version of the LRV8 and therefore often end up stashed at the back of a shed when the car around it falls to bits. All the other versions are more stressed and prone to early failure and should be thoroughly reconditioned unless proven to be very low mileage.

    As for exterior engine bits, everything off your 3.5 should bolt up to any donor V8 engine.

  3. #3
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    Earth to Bacicat!
    "How long since you've visited The Good Oil?"

    '93 V8 Rossi
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    '06 to 10. written off.
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    '10 to '21
    '16.5 RRS SDV8
    '21 to Infinity and Beyond!


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  4. #4
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    The safest and best bang for your dollar is another 3.5 rover V8.


    Reconditioned with the cam shaft and timing chain up grades would even be better.

    The Bigger rover V8s will swap over without too much trouble, if you stick with carburettors, but you will need the services of a good mechanic to reset the jet and needle in the carburettors to suit the bigger capacity motor.
    Next up on the cost of things is fuel injection on the later rover V8s fitted to The 101 which requires extensive wiring up grades and cost due to the fact the 101 was never designed for EFI.


    If you are not mechanically minded and poor.........finding another 3.5 rover V8 is not hard , but finding one with a good or proven history is hard as they are now a very old motor.......profestionally reconditioned one is the safe option and do all the unbolting and bolting up work your self will save money and the parts will swap over from one motor to another.
    Just remember the standard 101 engine oil pump and oil cooler set up if it is still fitted to your 101 is hard to prime for a new or reco engine start and some people fill the 101 oil pump with thin grease or thick oil for easy new engine oil pressure priming.
    When you get into the job of removing the motor from a 101 it is straight forward job as it is a big Meccano set and access comes easier.
    Doors and seats are removed easily etc.

  5. #5
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    Hi GG. Not good news! But... I have a 3.9 V8 in the shed which I've had in mine and is known to be good. It does not belong to me, but I'll txt the owner and c what he wants for it if you like. Its already set up for a 101 with carbs, has the gear lever pilar on it etc etc. I will txt him and PM you back! . I can see a tutorial engine change happening at Wombat.....
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  6. #6
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    Not good to hear Can't offer any suggestions. We hope everything turns out the best for you.
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  7. #7
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    A 3.5 will cost about $8k to rebuild.
    You might consider looking for a Range Rover Classic to wreck. That way you can test the motor before you buy.

    A thought would be to host a BBQ or two.
    Engine removal day and engine replacement day.

    Oh, have a chat with Lardy. He replaced the motor in his ambo recently.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sitec View Post
    Hi GG. Not good news! But... I have a 3.9 V8 in the shed which I've had in mine and is known to be good. It does not belong to me, but I'll txt the owner and c what he wants for it if you like. Its already set up for a 101 with carbs, has the gear lever pilar on it etc etc. I will txt him and PM you back! . I can see a tutorial engine change happening at Wombat.....
    Yay!
    GG, road trip.

  9. #9
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    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Subscriber
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift View Post
    Earth to Bacicat!
    Spoken to GG at length about this. I do have an old 3.5 in the shed, but it is far from healthy which is why I pulled it out in the first place. I am quite shocked that the engine is knackered as it drove so well on the way back from Canberra. As much as I hate to say it, I'm wondering if the PO knew about this and tried to cover it up.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh View Post
    A thought would be to host a BBQ or two.
    Engine removal day and engine replacement day.

    Oh, have a chat with Lardy. He replaced the motor in his ambo recently.
    It would be good to know how Lardy did it, as it looks like a **** of a job to do. Not sure if it can be done in a driveway yet - it almost looks like it has to be dropped out the bottom. Without either tearing up all the floors - not easy in this unit as there is cabinets, etc over parts of the access covers, or lifting the whole body off.

    As always though, if there is anything I can do, I am happy to help out. If it can be DIY'ed, then I'm willing to give it a shot.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  10. #10
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    You guys are amazing, all,this support in a few hours, I dips my lid to you all.
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