Series V8 Idea

[Series3 GT]

I've been thinking of an idea that I think would be a great conversion. Take a Series of your choice, Find a 302 or 351 depending on you budget, Find a Ford Toploader and an adapter for a Series Transfer Case, upgrade your axles and enjoy. I know this has definetly been done before but I'm wondering what everyone thinks of it and if anyone could tell me what it's like. I'm not thinking of actually doing it but I love the idea and would like to do it one day but not right now cause I'm working on my 100" V8 Series 3

[Mick_Marsh]

Seen a 2a with a Valiant V8. Don't know what size but it was bigger than 3.5.

[Series3 GT]

The Valiant V8 would be good but I was just thinking that the Ford V8's were a bit more common and you can find a toploader which isn't that hard to find and are a straight fit to a Ford engine obviously because they came from a Ford. Also I think an F series gearbox (older version) would be great but would require a bit more cutting and fabricating. An engine I saw and liked was an International V8 (unsure of size) at the wrecker I bought my Series 3 from, never got a price on it but looked pretty heavy duty.

[Slunnie]

The Valiant V8 would be good but I was just thinking that the Ford V8's were a bit more common and you can find a toploader which isn't that hard to find and are a straight fit to a Ford engine obviously because they came from a Ford. Also I think an F series gearbox (older version) would be great but would require a bit more cutting and fabricating. An engine I saw and liked was an International V8 (unsure of size) at the wrecker I bought my Series 3 from, never got a price on it but looked pretty heavy duty.

I'm not sure, but I thought the F's had the front diff on the wrong side.

[Series3 GT]

I'm not sure, but I thought the F's had the front diff on the wrong side.

I'm not sure if you can but what I was thinking the F series gearbox attached to a series transfer case. Can the series transfer handle the power of a 302 or 351?
Another thing, can a Salisbury diff handle the power or could the series diff's handle it.

[mick88]

A few years back when I was over in Bega for a holiday I seen a LWB ute, Series 3 I think it was and it had a Ford 302 with an auto box in it. I didn't get a look under the hood, but the owner was more than happy with it's performance.

Cheers, Mick.

[Slunnie]

I'm not sure if you can but what I was thinking the F series gearbox attached to a series transfer case. Can the series transfer handle the power of a 302 or 351?
Another thing, can a Salisbury diff handle the power or could the series diff's handle it.

I'm not sure re the transfer strength, though I was under the impression that it wasn't bad. I'm not sure re adaptation, I would expect it would be a custom job though. The Salisbury diff would laugh at it, though the axles might need upgrading. Is the series Salisbury still 10 spline or did they move to 24 spline?

A few years back when I was over in Bega for a holiday I seen a LWB ute, Series 3 I think it was and it had a Ford 302 with an auto box in it. I didn't get a look under the hood, but the owner was more than happy with it's performance.

Cheers, Mick.

I'd heard talk about using a C4 auto which apparently is strong and very compact - which is what series landies need.

[Series3 GT]

I don't think it's a salisbury, I have seen toploader to series T-Case adapters but can't remember the price. I can't take on this project at the moment but possibly take it on down the track. I prefer the Idea of a manual but the auto is quite common.

[Bearman]

I've been thinking of an idea that I think would be a great conversion. Take a Series of your choice, Find a 302 or 351 depending on you budget, Find a Ford Toploader and an adapter for a Series Transfer Case, upgrade your axles and enjoy. I know this has definetly been done before but I'm wondering what everyone thinks of it and if anyone could tell me what it's like. I'm not thinking of actually doing it but I love the idea and would like to do it one day but not right now cause I'm working on my 100" V8 Series 3

Can't say what a manual would go like but I have done the Ford 351/C4 auto with series t/case into a S3 with a Sals rear. I used everything Ford under the bonnet including radiator, fan, a/c compressor, alternator and engine mounts onto the chassis. No problems with sump clearance. Used a Marks adaptor from C4 to t/case. I replaced the t/case gears with the earlier lower ratio ones (dont ask me what ratio - was over 20 years ago) and upgraded the diffs to 3.54. Had a RR front end with discs and a widened rear Sals with maxi drive. Had to fit an adjustable modulator valve to the tranny as the upshifts were a bit harsh. It was an unbelievable smooth conversion, great power for overtaking/touring and fantastic off road - hardly ever had to engage 4wd. Even with a 4 core radiator I had some heating issues offroad as the clevos run at 192C but fixed it with twin thermos off a 110. Only downside was the fuel consumption . That,s when I decided to go 110 with the Isuzu. There are a couple of photos of it on here somewhere.

[wpalmo]

I appreciate the engineering that has gone into creating a conversion like this and before the introduction of the Series 3 Stage One V8 I can see why people would do it, but really if you want a V8 Series Land Rover get a Stage One. The engineers at British Leyland did a pretty good job of it, The only mod I think that should of been engineered into the Stage One was at least disk brakes on the front end. It was sorted however when the County V8's went into production.

Stage One gearbox-LT95 with constant 4WD and centre diff lock, Salisbury 3:54 ratio rear and Rover 3:54 front diffs are pretty much bullet proof in this set up and the Buick small block V8 can be easily stretched to 4.6 or even over 5.0 litre if you want to spend money, so power should not be a problem. It has been all engineered to fit together and in my opinion is the best petrol powered Series Land Rover built.

You can probably pick one up for somewhere between $3000 to $5000 which is cheap for the running gear underneath it. Try to put a V8 Ford powered Series together for that sort of money and then get it licensed with the bull**** and hoops you have to jump through at your local licensing centre. The engineering report for a Ford powered V8 conversion won't be cheap either and you are going to have to cut up the floor and fire wall of a beautiful Series Land Rover to do it too.

I have seen some amazing Ford and Chev powered Land Rovers in the USA but it probably is more cost effective to build in North America than here. I am not sure if the Stage One was imported into North America which could also explain why the V8 conversion has been so well thought through in the US and so many have been built. I would do some research into some of these builds and the components used before starting a project like this if you really do want to cut up a Series Land Rover.

Check out some of the Timm Cooper built Land Rovers getting around on North American Roads as it has been done many times with a diverse range of drive line components.

Timm Cooper Ford powered Land Rover porn below to get you excited!!

Regards Warrick.


Testi_Lg_TimmC4 by wpalmo, on Flickr