Thread: p76 v8 in 1972 2 door range rover

As the P76 engine ceased production in 1975 it is amazing that there is still a manufacturer of gaskets doing them. ACL is the company that makes both gasket sets and main bearings for these engines. Any auto parts chain in Australia should be able to order them. However don't expect speed in supply. It took my engine shop 2 months to get a VRS kit for me last month. Main bearings were out of stock for about 5 years before ACL remade some sets. I expect that will be the last run, ever.

Most other consumables eg pistons, big ends, head gaskets, valves etc are easily substituted with 3.5 engine parts. You could also make a valley cover out of two Rover gaskets, joined down the centre.

If you have no luck try contacting the Leyland P76 clubs through leylandp76.com

The carby is a Stromberg WW2 commonly used in Australia in the 70's on small V8's and some 6's. The version used on the P76 has some unique settings in the idle progression holes in the base plate. For a gasket/rebuild kit order one for a 1973 HQ Holden 253 V8 engine. The best gas ring adaptor for these was made by AMR manufacturing (part no. M164-1), size 67mm. I still have a couple. There is no reason why you couldn't adapt a 350 Holley carb instead, they were a popular conversion.

Also it is possible to purchase spacer plates to adapt the original Rover inlet manifold.

Wow, you certainly know your stuff and were just the kind of bloke I was hoping would reply.

Any chance you could give me some names/numbers of a good Aussie autoparts shop? otherwise I would just be google guessing.

So re the bearings I take it 3.5 ones dont fit then, I thought the journals were the same size but I was just assuming. Do you think anywhere would have some in stock from the last production run?

Great you know about the carb too, so that holden kit has the special P76 jet set up you were thinking of?

I was going to get a holly truck avenger so it would be good at angles but then I though why waste £900 as it will be running lpg anyway it wont matter about angles so the old carb should be fine lol

Fett, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to get a 4.6 from a P38A and bolt that in? New cam with distrib drive, RRC front cover, a spacer for the crankshaft and that's about it.

There'd be a stack of them in the UK.

Fett, I will send you a p.m. about supply possibilities.

Originally Posted by p38arover

Fett, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to get a 4.6 from a P38A and bolt that in? New cam with distrib drive, RRC front cover, a spacer for the crankshaft and that's about it.

There'd be a stack of them in the UK.

Thanks for the thought but they are ****e, we have loads of liner and block problems with the 94mm bore engines which is why I went for the 4.4 as the only other option was the 3.5 I currently have.

Originally Posted by bee utey

Fett, I will send you a p.m. about supply possibilities.

Please do mate, I am off to bed now as its 1am here but will be back on to read it tomorrow.

Many thanks for all the help

I have contacted Land Rover Parts - Home for my P76 parts, they do have a small range available (gaskets etc).

Try this guy p76 items - Get great deals on items on eBay Stores!

He has some NOS and some reco parts too.

I'm running a p76 v8 in my 2 door which runs dual fuel on a holley 350 modified for gas and for offroad. Runs pretty well but always room for improvement.

Thinking of the same thing on a 2 door rrc.
Keep the posts going on your travels with this please.
What parts from the crank to fly wheel?
Or re-drill the fly wheel to fit?
The bolt spacing from the 4.4 to the 3.9 is different and would have thought the 3.5 was the same as the 3.9
Any help before i start would be good.
Thanks
Paul