Thread: Series III SWB Soft Top V8 Engine Conversion, Re-Chassis and Modifications

Hi Alistair - I tried to PM you - but it said your storage quota had been reached.

Hi Alistair. I recently bought a series 2 109 safari wagon. On the long drive home from Adelaide to Brisbane the rear main in the 186 went and it seized just outside of Hay NSW. I've been trying to piece together a plan to put a 3.5 v8 in and there's a lot of incomplete/contrary info. It's important for me to keep the series 2 look. So I want the recessed grill. I've been down several paths - buying a wrecked stage 1 to swap in the lt95, tunnel and diffs. I now want to keep the series box and mate it up to the v8 with an adapter ring. I have a few questions about the conversion - I'd really appreciate it if you could give me some guidance? Your account of the swap - and the photos is the most complete story I can find.

1. Is the series box holding up ok behind the v8?

2. As well as the adapter ring? What else had to be done to fit the v8 to the box? (machined down input shaft? modified spigot bush? redrilled flywheel?

3. Did you shift the engine mounts?

4. Did you fabricate a removable crossmember? Or can a unit be purchased?

5. Did the v8 sump foul any part of the chassis?

Those photos of the foot well mods are great - did you have drawings/measurements for how far you cut them back?

6. Were there any other mods to the firewall for the v8 to fit?

7. Someone else commented in your post about an army part/mod - that would more easily allow a radiator to sit back further? Could you help me understand this?

I know this is a bunch of questions. I just want to get moving on sorting out my car -rather than have it sit. I'd be happy to pay you for your time and effort to assist me here. Honestly - lots of people have opinions on this conversion - but very few seem have done it themselves. I'd sincerely appreciate any direction you could give. Rich Johnston. Brisbane 0435 571 826

Originally Posted by 65SWB

Hi Alistair - I tried to PM you - but it said your storage quota had been reached.

Hi Alistair. I recently bought a series 2 109 safari wagon. On the long drive home from Adelaide to Brisbane the rear main in the 186 went and it seized just outside of Hay NSW. I've been trying to piece together a plan to put a 3.5 v8 in and there's a lot of incomplete/contrary info. It's important for me to keep the series 2 look. So I want the recessed grill. I've been down several paths - buying a wrecked stage 1 to swap in the lt95, tunnel and diffs. I now want to keep the series box and mate it up to the v8 with an adapter ring. I have a few questions about the conversion - I'd really appreciate it if you could give me some guidance? Your account of the swap - and the photos is the most complete story I can find.

1. Is the series box holding up ok behind the v8?

2. As well as the adapter ring? What else had to be done to fit the v8 to the box? (machined down input shaft? modified spigot bush? redrilled flywheel?

3. Did you shift the engine mounts?

4. Did you fabricate a removable crossmember? Or can a unit be purchased?

5. Did the v8 sump foul any part of the chassis?

Those photos of the foot well mods are great - did you have drawings/measurements for how far you cut them back?

6. Were there any other mods to the firewall for the v8 to fit?

7. Someone else commented in your post about an army part/mod - that would more easily allow a radiator to sit back further? Could you help me understand this?

I know this is a bunch of questions. I just want to get moving on sorting out my car -rather than have it sit. I'd be happy to pay you for your time and effort to assist me here. Honestly - lots of people have opinions on this conversion - but very few seem have done it themselves. I'd sincerely appreciate any direction you could give. Rich Johnston. Brisbane 0435 571 826

hi richard can you ring me on 0428732001 regards your landy jim