V8 from P6 Rover into Disco 1

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Originally Posted by Finnius

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Is rebuilding the 3.9s V8s that difficult? I come from the 4cyl yota engines.
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Not that I remember, but then again I'm lazy and have never done one myself. I got a mechanic mate to do one of my P6s back in the day, but we fitted it together at my place.

In terms of finding an engine to reco, I reckon it'd be cheaper overall to find an entire V8 D1 that's no longer loved and pull motor out yourself. Once that's done resell the rest of the car minus motor.
As long as you have the room for it all that is.

Recoing the RV8 is as basic as any other pushrod v8 .. only lighter!

I've got a D2 v8 project going and it needs head gaskets, which I've decided to do myself(as the car isn't a going concern yet).
So my plan is to pull apart, take head to reco chap(he seems knowledgable in the ways of Rover v8s too, which is a bonus).
Once it's all apart, I'll then assess the condition of the block and worry that it'll turn into a full rebuild, which I don't really want to do(cost!)

I'm pretty sure there are places all over the net that sell already recoed parts for 'ya. Don't know of any in WA tho.

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Originally Posted by Finnius

Thanks for the detailed info PLR. Mine is the later single accessory belt so that would be fun getting everything to work.
Is rebuilding the 3.9s V8s that difficult? I come from the 4cyl yota engines.
I am still chasing somewhere that recons rover engines specifically - as i wouldn't trust some local guy that just does nissans with my landy engine...

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If your near or don`t mind sending to Perth , Bradtot ( username here ) is someone who could suggest an engine builder with Rover experience and someone who`s opinion rates merit in my book .

For a freshen up with rings. bearings , cam and head tidy etc , if you have the basic knowledge/experience they are an old simple design and no real difference to anything else .

Really only the lifter/tappet clearance need any special attention and that may only be a check .

Yes , if your is a serpy belt i`d think there will be easier options than the P6

Thanks.

I sent a message to this "Bradtot" asking which re-builders he knows of.

If i build it myself i will get my machine work done at Harris Engines in Perth which did the machining on my little 22R.

I heard a while ago that there was a weakness in the 3.9 engines that was between the cylinder wall and a coolant passage. After time a crack can form and coolant will leak in behind the sleeve. Apparently it is often diagnosed as a head gasket problem... Anyone else heard of this?

and liners slipping too, hence the recommendation to go with top hat liners when rebuilding.

I must be the only one who wishes the rover V8 had a cast iron block...

Apparently those top hat lines are around $100 each! :O

3.5s are the only ones that don`t have block coolant loss problem but can have liners move but more so after a rebore .

Brad has had a couple of 3.5s made into 3.9s which entails fitting larger diameter liners/pistons and they`re done kms .

Things tend to cost as much as you pay , someones prices may not be the same as someone else .

If your 3.9 has no coolant loss problem and it hasn`t been up high on the temp gauge the block would likely be ok .

At the age it tends to be cause and effect , like it gets very hot and then the liner problem occurs .

The ones that failed early in life have been repaired or replaced the ones that didn`t are still working unless overheated as a rule of thumb , the youngest running factory V8 are at least 12 or 13 years old now and for a 3.9 it would be at least 18 years , youngest .

Top hat liners are only as good as whoever does the job , i have a top hat block that 1 of the liners sits a full mm low in the deck so the head gasket has much trouble keeping a seal long .