Thread: Which way????

Howdy JohnE , I have just gone through the same thing . I've ended going with the 4 cyl as i have been told that the rover motor has better torque down low . The holden motor will give more power but will be a lot more harsher on the drive train . The landy will not gain anymore speed because of the gearing and from what i can gather the 4cyl will put up with a bit more abuse . Go the rover motor . You know ya want to

I would use the Rover motor. While it is lower power than most Holden motors, the standard gearing is more suited to it - if you use the Holden motor, non-standard diffs, transfer or an overdrive are really needed.

The Rover engine will be more driveable at lower speeds, and unlike the Holden, does not starve for fuel, flood, or lose oil pressure on steep slopes.

If it is 7:1 (most likely) a modest incease to 8:1 or slightly more by shaving the head is worthwhile, increasing both power and economy. Early heads have not reliably got enough metal to grind by this much, but some increase should be feasible. The later heads have a boss on top of the head next to the rocker cover and between it and the carburetter. This should have 8 stamped on it if it is 8:1, and 7 or blank if 7:1, but beware that it may have been planed and not marked.

John

Search the UK Landy sites.They can get the 4 banger up and going well.
My best Series was a 2A 88" with a 186.
Went anywhere,very good on fuel easy to maintain.I had a Ser3 with a 202 and LPG.Couldnt match the economy of the 186,even on gas!!!!
Had a 4cyl Ser3,had around the same power as the 186,it had a holden carb with vairiable mainjet,but really chewed the juice in comparison.
Andrew

thanks all for the positive thoughts,
just looking at the 186 in the engine bay made me think it didn't look right.
plus there is a l/r radiator in the back, so i guess it wants to go back in.
then finding the complete motor and gearbox makes it even easier.
back to original is the best option.

more later


john

Originally Posted by JohnE

thanks all for the positive thoughts,
just looking at the 186 in the engine bay made me think it didn't look right.
plus there is a l/r radiator in the back, so i guess it wants to go back in.
then finding the complete motor and gearbox makes it even easier.
back to original is the best option.

more later john

John there is a series 3 SWB on ebay in Bathurst at current bid $400 with the 2 1/4 and gearbox just waiting to be removed. SERIES III LAND ROVER

thanks diana
that looks like a good deal, the firewall is 100% on the one from up here and the chassis doesn't appear to have the 'ex beach veh rust' the one here has.( have sent a message to the seller)

the wreckers got there before everyone on wednesday, easo had bogged his vehicle for two days visting a neighbour, i couldn;t get through as the river was up 5 ft over the bridge so a 1.5 hr drive turned into a 4.5 hr trip the long way. all the conversion plates for the holden motors ended up in the scrappy trucks, they had thrown on the good 4 cyl gearbox, lucky i noticed it so it is now here at home. still have to get the veh home.
The collection of motors once we took the covers off them were in one word, all stuffed, lucky uncle had written the probs on each one in texta, bits missing, rust and so on. He had just kept them for spares.
the chassis and firewall rust are what you would expect from an ex beach veh, the chassis cracked when i jacked it up to put another wheel on it. so the bathurst veh looks really good.

many thanks to everyone again.

john

G'day JohnE

The 4 cylinder motor is the way to go, it and the gearbox/diffs were the ideal torque setup, I would advise to go the Bathurst Vehicle and use the Easo vehicle as a spares donor and if the Holden motor is any good, you could find a home for it around your local area as it would probably suit any and all Holdens and Hot Rods that take a Holden motor, be it Red or Blue and them you would have the rest of the vehicle as replacement parts, if possible get any brake bits from any LWB vehicle at Easo's as they will bolt on to give you a brake upgrade on the SWB M/cylinder, brake assy's front and rear as they are 11 inch units and will upgrade the 10" on a SWB

cheers

thanks uncle for your suggestions,
as of now 1.10pm i have just bought the bathurst swb. so now i have two of them.
its a stepping stone you may notice, as i am working my way down to the remlr pages.

the shorty will be an easy built, given the size etc, i spoke to the seller this am and from the photos and his description there is not much by way of hard rust to fix.
so have one ser 3 hardtop and spare half cab with 186 mtr
one (after pickup) ser 3 no top with all the bits already apart
one 4 cylinder gearbox.
plenty of storage and shed space.
and an understanding mrs, hmm what does she want, oh thats right the ex eel mobile has to go(quiggers time for a move) and the batmobile,but i so love the v8, never mind a mechano set will be more fun. Unless i do teh batmobile first only needs a spray.

john