Thread: Rover 3.5 Litre External Dimensions to 3.9 & 4.0 Litre V8

Yes, dimensions are the same. even the 4.6 is the same size but the Leyland P76/Terrier 4.4 is taller and wider.

One problem to be overcome is the ignition system. Later engines don’t have distributors so you will need to transfer bits across from the 3.5 - I can’t remember the details. You will need a spacer for the crankshaft. I think the crank is longer at the front. Again, I can’t remember the details.

I think I’d look at taking the fuel injection across, too.

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello All,

Would a larger capacity motor such as a 3.9 litre or a 4.0 litre V8 Land Rover motor be able to retrofitted to a 1970s Rover P6 3500 or a Rover SD1 3500 that were both originally fitted with a 3.5 litre V8? For example, an unserviceable motor in the car - a good 3.9 or 4.0 litre donor engine waiting for a recipient. Is it a good match or a nightmare to sort out?

Kind regards
Lionel

If you stick to carbs its an easy swap, EFI will take a bit more work, 3.9 is the easiest to swap.

yup, IIRC different crank length and timing covers etc. That's where it's at. Moving over the EFI can be a bit of work but if you go standalone (megasquirt, speeduino, you name it) it should be a lot easier and future proof. Some of the older stuff can be made to run standalone (ie without the car it was mounted in). Even GEMS can now run outside of a P38 range rover for example, you "just" need the ECU to be worked over in the UK by the same bloke that did the tornado chips for example.

All fun things to do

Cheers,
-P

Coolant pipes come out totally differently too, and the engine fan is in a different location which wont be compatible with the radiator shroud.