Thread: Which Rover V8 do I have?

Originally Posted by Hendrik

Hi All,

I am pulling out the Rover V8 this weekend from my 1988 RRC and would like to sell it. The engine runs Motec EFI, with extractors etc.

Now I know they came with a 3.5L V8, this one still has the 3.5L plenum chamber, however the bloke I bought it is adamant that it's a 4.4L. Now I've checked and it's definitely not a 4.4L as the "V" is not wider and the spacers are not fitted under the inlet manifold for the 3.5L EFI system to work.

I'm happy to pull the sump off to have a look once it's out of the car, but is there anything that would indicate that it's anything other than a 3.5L?

I'm thinking I'll measure the diameter of the bore 88.9 mm on the 3.5L and 94.0 mm on the 3.9L, but is there anything else that I can look for on the crank? It might be a 4.6L for all I know.

Thanks

Hendrik

Starting point would be the engine number prefix .

If a 3.5 number it may have a stroker crank to be a 4.2 if so would have 020 pistons 2nd over .

If you have any history on which state or states it has lived ?

What colour are the rocker covers , orange ?

If he has fitted a 4.0 or 4.6 block, it will be obvious from the bolts into the side of the block for the cross-bolted mains.

The was a 4.2 engine in later RRC (LWB I think). I assume it had a longer stroke.

The was a 4.2 engine in later RRC (LWB I think). I assume it had a longer stroke.

Yes, that is correct. The LSE 4.2 litre engine has a 77mm stroke, as against the 3.9 71mm. (same bore on both)

Originally Posted by Old Farang

Yes, that is correct. The LSE 4.2 litre engine has a 77mm stroke, as against the 3.9 71mm. (same bore on both)

In the US , County and Europe LSE the 4.2 was a factory fit but in AU we got the 3.9 in the LSE

Thanks for the replies so far.

I bought the car in Victoria, and I'd say it has spent its entire life there.

The rocker covers are normal alluminium colour, orange oil filler cap but the all had those.

I will have a look for the engine number and also post up some pics when I get a chance.

Originally Posted by Hendrik

Thanks for the replies so far.

I bought the car in Victoria, and I'd say it has spent its entire life there.

The rocker covers are normal alluminium colour, orange oil filler cap but the all had those.

I will have a look for the engine number and also post up some pics when I get a chance.

Just the engine number prefix will tell what the block started out as .

There is a mob in Melbourne that one of there most notable signatures is the use of orange rocker cover and Motec on an engine that they built so probably not one of theirs .

I have a stroker 4.2 with the heads and sump off it in the shed it was done by a different mob but same era of vehicle being 1989 flapper injection . It`s a 3.5 block has a couple of broken pistons which are obviously not standard 3.5 as the skirts are half the length of 3.5/9 pistons .

As well as the stroker 4.2 there is a 4.3 only difference is one is bored 2nd over and the other is 3rd over both use Omega pistons which are nothing like Rover to look at .

Also have what was called a 3.6 which is mostly just 3rd over stronger pistons ( theory )more webbing but the same type/shape as Rover but not Rover .

however the bloke I bought it is adamant that it's a 4.4L.

Are you sure it is not a Leyland P76 block?

Originally Posted by Old Farang

Are you sure it is not a Leyland P76 block?

Quickest way to tell , is there an engine number near the dipstick yes for rover. If engine number is behind the lh head and starts with 44 its a p76 - but it would have to have spacers to run factory efi.