Thread: Rebuild 3.5 V8?

Originally Posted by NikolaiV

Hey all - I`ve got a 78 2-door, (for my sins) and need some help with my latest dilemma: the old girl is getting a bit tired (mileage over 200k kms), and is starting to get a bit of frothing through blow by when I look in the rocker covers (yellowish foam in the oil filler cap). It still revs out okay, but is just feeling a little weak, and fuel consumption is starting to gradualy get worse.

I know its not the head gaskets as oil and antifreeze are uncontaminated, and levels not changing. The cam is well worn (through visual inspection), and i`m considering replacing it. The question though, is there any point just doing the cam? (the engine runs well by the way, starts well etc), or should I attend to <say> rings and bores, get a valve grind etc at the same time. Its about NZD$3-4k for a freshen-up of the engine, against about $400 for a cam.

On the other hand, am I best just getting a 3.9 out of a discovery (I could buy a whole disco for about 2k) and throwing that in, with my carbs and LPG in place of the EFI?

Finally, i`m pretty mechanically minded, have rebuilt pushrod motors (Subaru`s and VW`s) in the past, is it worth me doing the work myself, or should I pay someone for the priveledge.

It might seem daft to spend money on a 78 2-door, but its rust free and all the trim is in good nick, so I think its worth keeping. Plus I think it drives much nicer than a discovery or my series three - and the 2-doors look better...

Nothing wrong with a good 2 door. I'd say a good 3.9 would be a good way to go. If you have played with Dak Daks and Subies you will be fine with vintage Rangies... Depends how shot the 3.5 is. If only 200 k on it should still have a bit of life if not cooked.
Tony

Originally Posted by NikolaiV

Best just getting a 3.9 out of a discovery (I could buy a whole disco for about 2k) and throwing that in, with my carbs and LPG in place of the EFI?

Makes sense to me .... and you can make the choice of .. Forget the carbs and keep the injection ....

You could even grab the rest of the driveline and install it too ....

Just a note as well - I went to go down the path of ring & hone - was advised the risk of the sleeve moving while being honed was pretty big - and if it happened.... re sleeve = $$$$

Might pay to look at the second hand market for 3.9's? Here they seem to go fairly cheap.

And since you have worked on those other engines - you should have no problems, I am doing mine at the moment (3.5) and the experienced I had before was with 2 stroke engines lol so take it from me - they are very easy to work on. I decided to redo mine so I know its all good instead of going after another second engine & throwing that in

You can get some very cheap 4.6 short motors nowdays, I would head in that direction.
A 4.6 with reconditioned heads from you 3.5 ann put it on straight gas or dual fuel and you will be very happy.

And go for one with the cross bolted block (1997 and upwards I think), just in case you get the urge for a little more power later on.

Originally Posted by walker

You can get some very cheap 4.6 short motors nowdays, I would head in that direction.
A 4.6 with reconditioned heads from you 3.5 ann put it on straight gas or dual fuel and you will be very happy.

Cheap 4.6 short motors...Realy. Buggerd if I can find one thats not been cooked and neads a resleave. This is why I'm buying a wreck with a 3.9 etc.

Ok, it depends on your definition of cheap.

I saw one the other day for $2500 which I thought was a good price.

I got mine 2 years ago for $2000.

Originally Posted by walker

Ok, it depends on your definition of cheap.

I saw one the other day for $2500 which I thought was a good price.

I got mine 2 years ago for $2000.

Sounds fair If if the block is in good nick.