Thread: Holden or Rover engine?

The Rover 4 Cylinder motor is greatly underestimated it has a Diesel block and crank it will last for ever.
For an 88 Inch I would go for a 4 get a good one and run some sort of upper cylinder lubricant and you will be fine.

G'day Scubabob.

What's your plan for the vehicle? Just to get it running, do some off road work, farm hack, or restoration project?

I think most here will favour the Land Rover donk.
I think it would probably end up costing you around a grand or more anyway to revert back to the Land Rover 4cyl (unless you have one lined up).
The cheapest option may be to try one of your 186 motors.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.
Love to see some pics of your beasty.

Yea mate as said the rover 4cyl is a great donk, near indestructable. The big factor for me when selecting an old landy was to make sure it was 4cyl as i couldn't justify registering two 6cyl cars. So the rover engine will save you in the long run too with lower rego costs.

Originally Posted by Newbs-IIA

.... i couldn't justify registering two 6cyl cars. So the rover engine will save you in the long run too with lower rego costs.

Depends on your location Newbs - I dont think there is a difference in Vic.

haveing had both in my ex series 3 swb which is still mostly almost same as series 2 bar updated gear box,brakes,lights ect (see above photo) if its already fitted with all the add ons and conections ,cheapest thing to do is stay with holden,also parts wise once drove into a workshop and told them my starter had it ,need new one .they laughed at me and said sorry mate can not help you,told him has holden didnt laugh and got fixed instantly,never forget that .if you dont mind spending extra to make it back to original choice is yours.

The 186 is the pick of Holden's in the Rovers as can sustain 4000 rpm over time and not smash pistons.

I had a 186 in a S2 LWB and it went great, especially in sand. Good power option if you don't want to convert back to make the unit standard LR.

Parts are easy to get and v. cheap too.

Yup go for the 186 as it does not overheat like the 202 or the old 4cyl, it has a lot more power than the original and is far easier for parts. If you want to put an overdrive unit on in the future the 186 will give you enough power to actually use it! The rego issue is non existant in most states as the 4cyl block was common to the diesel(overweight strong block but weakened head) so the weight difference (nsw rego)between a 186 and a rover 4 was very little.
Also it is very easy to go down to your local wreckers/trading post/ markets and "pick" a few power up goodies(carb's extractors, heads,etc) for a 186 off a P platers wrecked holden.