Thread: 1988 Range Rover 3.5 to 3.9 engine swap

I currently have a 3.5 with engine number 22D suffix B in my 5 speed 1988 Range Rover with a V-belt. The 3.5 did a head gasket a while back, it overheated and has not ran well since (I did replace the head gaskets). I have got hold of a 3.9 with engine number 38D suffix C, it has no front cover, harmonic balancer or flywheel only the camshaft, timing gears, pistons, rocker gear etc. I am going to attempt the swap over Easter. Have put bearings, rings, reconditioned heads and a new standard camshaft into the 3.9 and will also use a V-belt. What I cannot find information on is if the crank nose length of these two engines is the same, otherwise I don't think I will have any other issues. Will use the front cover, harmonic balancer and flywheel from the 3.5. Does anyone know the year the 3.9 would be or if its a Range Rover or Discovery engine? And if it is possible to swap these parts from the 3.5 to 3.9? I think the other option I may have is to put the 3.5 crank into the 3.9 then I know it will work.

I think I will pull out the 3.5 and see if the parts bolt up to the 3.9. If not then will look at getting a donor engine/car. The 14CU is not a problem for me as I run it on LPG through a BLOS mixer (surprisingly I am using around 16 liters of LPG per 100km).