A Few Qs

**big_waity** · 12th June 2009, 07:40 AM

Hey guys, I have a few questions, please forgive my newness to Land Rovers.
I hvae a 1990 3.9 Rangie that I am about to setup as my daily driver/touerer. I have also just bought a 1989 Rangie for parts.

Here are my questions:
1 How do I tell if the 89 is a 3.9 or a 3.5? It is injected and at a quick glance looks different, making me think it's a 3.5.

2. Reading other threads, some people have mentioned swapping the lt230 transfer for the VC one. Mine has a VC but again, haven't had a good look at the 89, how will I know which it is and if it is the lt, do I want to swap them? Is the LT230 the one with the central diff lock instead of the viscous coupling?

3. My intentions are to hang onto the parts that I am most likely to need as sell the rest. I will hang onto lights in case they get a knock in the bush and I will hang onto diffs cause I am likely to need some axles at some point. What other stuff should I hang onto? I don't want to sell something then need to buy a replacement in 6 months time.

I think that's all my questions for the moment. Again, sorry for my newness to these, I have always loved Landies but never owned one. Now I own 2 and am learning quickly.
Cheers, Waity.

**BigJon** · 12th June 2009, 07:56 AM

1: I am pretty sure all 3.9 engines say 3.9 on the intake plenum. 3.5s don't have anything up there. A 3.5 will also have a flapper style airflow meter.

2: LT230 has a lockable centre diff. A LT230 transfer lever has side to side movement to lock the diff as well as the fore / aft range change. A viscous transfer lever only moves fore / aft.

3: If you have room keep the whole thing

.

Rangier Rover · 12th June 2009, 10:03 AM

The 89 will likely be a flapper injected 3.5 and have the viscous.

I have an 89 for driver and a 90 for spares so other way around to you.

A lot will interchange except speedo,injection system and a few items around engine bay. Try to keep the complete spare rangie if you can. May be just sell the 3.5 engine and ecu.

The complete interior and window + door mech will work in the 90. The panels will swap etc

Tony

**GuyG** · 12th June 2009, 08:07 PM

The doors may not swap as the 90 rangie has hidden door hinges where as I don't believe the 89 does.

If the VC is working fine in the 90 don't swap in until the VC actually dies as the car will be smoother and quieter with the VC than the LT230 - I had to change mine as I cracked the housing

Agree with the keep the whole thing if you have the room

**big_waity** · 12th June 2009, 10:42 PM

The spare is at the inlaws so space isn't an issue for me. At least it isn't making my place look untidy! :P
I might just sell the engine as I won't be needing it then hang onto the rest.

Rangier Rover · 12th June 2009, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by GuyG

The doors may not swap as the 90 rangie has hidden door hinges where as I don't believe the 89 does.

If the VC is working fine in the 90 don't swap in until the VC actually dies as the car will be smoother and quieter with the VC than the LT230 - I had to change mine as I cracked the housing

Agree with the keep the whole thing if you have the room

The 89 sure has concealed hinges and lift assist on bonnet + fuel security. All interchanges with the 90

Tony

**HangOver** · 13th June 2009, 01:47 AM

I thought all 3.9's where injection only?
Unless modded.

McDisco · 13th June 2009, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by GuyG

The doors may not swap as the 90 rangie has hidden door hinges where as I don't believe the 89 does.

If the VC is working fine in the 90 don't swap in until the VC actually dies as the car will be smoother and quieter with the VC than the LT230 - I had to change mine as I cracked the housing

Agree with the keep the whole thing if you have the room

I have heard that you need to watch the VC and replace it early cause when it fails it can screw up the output shafts etc.

Angus

Rangier Rover · 13th June 2009, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by HangOver

I thought all 3.9's where injection only?
Unless modded.

3.9 uses hot wire air flow meter 14cux, the 3.5 uses a flapper air flow. Not much interchanges on efi side.

Originally Posted by McDisco

I have heard that you need to watch the VC and replace it early cause when it fails it can screw up the output shafts etc.

Angus

They seem to seize, cause bad fuel economy,scrub front tyres and eventually smash a CV joint

Not so good if running double diff locks as will allow some wheel spin till they heat up and make friction. Should have been left in soft roaders

Tony

**big_waity** · 13th June 2009, 10:57 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm enjoying the learning!
Another question, any rough ideas on what the engine is worth? A mate wants to buy the engine and auto and all wiring and ECU to do a conversion. I am happy to give him a good price cause he is a good mate but neither of us know what it is worth. Any rough ideas would be good.

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