Thread: V8 rebuild. your opinions

G'day Jasper110

That was an interesting reply Iam not familiar with life in the UK but I have been a reader of LRO,LRM,and LRE for a number of years, and I know that reputable motor engineers are VAT registered

How many miles has your motor done and how well has it been serviced, as, with a Rover V8 if it hasn't had the oil changed regularly the cam Lobes and Cam Followers will wear badly, this will result in poor valve lift, and a corresponding drop in prefeormance, I would suggest that you get further Quotes, also one from Turner Engineering as they are specialists with Rover Products and would probably offer a warranty


It would also depend on the type of use you use the vehicle for, and your fuel octaine rating, if it is only for standard use raised compression could lead to unreliablity.

That is only my Opinion, and Iam 12,000 Miles away, and in a totally different climate, S E Queensland

cheers

thanks for that. Vat registered depends on turnover. the motor has beed serviced regulary (every 3000miles) and has 56,000 miles on it. as i wrote, it runs ok, however it suffers on hills (massive drop in power)and it would be nice to cruise at 60mph as opposed to feeling that my life is in the balance.
i was wondering if the comments were fair or if it's an all or nothing approach? could teh work be done piecemeal therefore spreading the cost?

G'day Jasper110

Only 56,000 miles most of the 85/86 models over here would have over 250,000 miles up by now, I know of one that has just had an engine rebuild at 426,000 klms it's got an LT95 and O/drive and regularlaly does the Brisbane to Sydney trip overnight (653 miles) to visit his parents.

Your vehicle sounds like it has ignition or timing problems, or the diaphragm in one of the carbies has a hole in it, or it is tuned to lean, as a 110 should be able to maintain 60 mph, constantly with only a slight drop on medium/steep hills, if your vehicle is an LT85 -5 speed then dropping into 4th will maintain speed.

There is one thing that will give that lack of power symptomas well, and that is a slipping or oil contaminated Clutch plate or a Presure Plate that has lost its strength (pressure) from age as they would be 21+years old now. but replace them as a pair with anew throwout bearing

Hope that is of some help

it was owned by a governmaent agency for most of its life, thus the low miles. the clutch thing is interesting. i get a whiring noise increasing with speed and its only absent when the clutch pedal is depressed. it also judders on steep hill starts until moving.maybe the clutch is slipping.

ps its a lt85 g/box. with new dizzy, magnecor leads and ngk plugs. carbs are good. dual timing amp for running LPG.

hi jasper110, i agree with uncle ho i think its clutch or timing problems. i would be getting the vehicle checked over by a good mechanic before i forked out big money for an engine rebuild. by the way how much did he quote for the rebuild.

Originally Posted by jasper110

thanks for that. Vat registered depends on turnover. the motor has beed serviced regulary (every 3000miles) and has 56,000 miles on it. as i wrote, it runs ok, however it suffers on hills (massive drop in power)and it would be nice to cruise at 60mph as opposed to feeling that my life is in the balance.
i was wondering if the comments were fair or if it's an all or nothing approach? could teh work be done piecemeal therefore spreading the cost?

VAT registration is based on turnover... The threshold is somewhere around £56,000 per annum.

As for your problem, I'd look at the following:

1 - HT leads & timing. The Rover V8 is very fussy about the condition of HT leads.
2 - Head gasket. Do you have to keep on topping up the coolant??

My money is on the HT leads & timing.

HTH

M

without seeing it and without knowing the mechanics preferences (we're all different and theres more than one way to skin a cat, we have a list in here 101 ways to skin a cat)

the 3.5 is good enough in stock form for most normal use, if you want more its usually cheaper to turf it and put the 3.9 EFI donk in they bolt straight up and you just need to add the electrics somewhere and the right fuel tank

the 3.9 is much the same block as the 3.5 but with better guts...

Originally Posted by jasper110

it was owned by a governmaent agency for most of its life, thus the low miles. the clutch thing is interesting. i get a whiring noise increasing with speed and its only absent when the clutch pedal is depressed. it also judders on steep hill starts until moving.maybe the clutch is slipping.

ps its a lt85 g/box. with new dizzy, magnecor leads and ngk plugs. carbs are good. dual timing amp for running LPG.

I've got the same problem with my new clutch - I set the clutch fork too far out when I did replaced the clutch. The lever is rubbing on the pressure plate.