Rover 3.5L (Buick 215 c.i.) Engine Swap

[BoyRacer]

Still deciding which engine to put in my 55 BN1. I just found a Rover 3.5 engine and 5-speed transmission for a good price, but before I buy them I would like to talk to someone who has actually done this Rover engine swap. Anyone on this forum?

 

[Guido36]

I have no personal experience but did recently look at a Buick 215 powered BN7 with a Tremec T5 trans. The advantages are light weight (315lbs for the engine) and readily available performance parts. Another popular option is a 289/302 Ford which weigh less than a Chevy and are an easier fit in a Healey as they are narrower and require less foot box modification. I have a 289 HiPo with a 5 speed in my BN1. I would be interested to see how the Rover Buick fits and how much foot box modification is required. It is 4” wider across the heads than the Ford.

Popular American V8 Engine Dimensions

Antique Cars Classics Customs Hotrods Leadsleds Roadsters Streetrods Trucks Turbine Car 40 31 Ford 67 Dodge Charger 61 Chrysler Images Specs Pictures Photos Photographs Gifs Jpgs Events Schedule Vendors Forum

www.carnut.com

 

[HealeyRick]

Seems to be a more popular swap into MGBs than Healeys, but you can see a number of them here that might give you some ideas regarding exhaust, intake manifolds, carbs, etc: > How It Was Done Articles: Buick 215, MGB V6, and other engine swaps < There's also an active forum here that you can ask your questions about the Rover motor: > MG Engine Swaps Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience <

 

[BoyRacer]

My biggest concern is the clearance between the Rover 215 exhaust manifold (or headers) and the Healey footwells. A Rover swap into an MG is not going to help me with the information I need.
On the other hand, the dimensions of American engines that Guido36 posted a link to has me thinking that a small block Ford V8 swap may be a better choice. Although it's heavier than the Rover ....... it's 4 inches narrower. That is a mighty big factor when trying to squeeze a V8 into a Healey engine bay. Aluminum heads on the Ford V8 would also make it lighter.
Hmmmmm. Decisions, decisions!

 

[steveg]

Parts for the Ford gotta be more plentiful/cheap. With its thinwall casting, Ford's pretty light for an iron engine.

Are you planning on rack & pinion steering too?

 

[vette]

https://m.facebook.com/dave.haslam.7583?groupid=1676792712584008

Don’t know if this will help but I just ran across this guy on Facebook.

 

[BoyRacer]

Just finished reading HealeyRick's journey down the dark side with his Exploder project. I think I'm now back to square one. Aaaaagggghhhh!!!!

 

[steveg]

Another thing about the Ford - a lot more cubic inches.

 

[Guido36]

The late Kent Lacey installed a 289 in a 100M in such a way that it would be easy to convert back to stock. He used the original transmission and everything else was left stock. He used Sunbeam Tiger exhaust manifolds swapped from side to side to clear the foot boxes. So it may not be as difficult as you may think.

 

[BoyRacer]

I believe HealeyRick used Tiger exhaust manifolds and still had to narrow his foot boxes for clearance.

 

[HealeyRick]

I believe HealeyRick used Tiger exhaust manifolds and still had to narrow his foot boxes for clearance.

I did, but I have a BJ7, not a 100. I don't know whether Kent had to modify his foot boxes, but he probably did. He moved the engine back 2 inches and used the bulkhead from a later Healey to accommodate the move, so he did some cutting in that area. Both Kent and I had to source two sets of Tiger manifolds. One of them (sorry, I don't recall which side) is just a standard Fairlane part, it is the other one that was made only for the Tiger. You need the two special Tiger manifolds to be able to flip one around side to side. Finding two sets of Tiger manifolds these days probably won't be easy.

 

[BoyRacer]

I just talked with a fellow that put a Ford 289 into a BT7 about 25 years ago. He built his own headers. He does not recall cutting the foot boxes. He said the gas pedal was in the stock location.
As for the engine bay, a 100 and a 3000 have the same engine bay. The only real difference is that the radiator in the 100 is on the engine side of the front cross member. The rad in the 3000 is on the front side of the cross member. That's why the 3000 bonnet has a scoop ..... to clear the radiator.
A radiator in a 100 can be installed on the front side of the cross member, without bonnet modification, by slanting it down towards the front of the chassis legs. This opens up the engine bay to accept an in-line 6-cylinder motor. Or..... wait for it ........ move a V8 motor further forward for better footwell clearance in a 100/4?

 

[HealeyRick]

I think you'd be really happy with the Ford. Easy to make it look old school. If you can fit headers, so much the better. If you are worried about heat, you could have them ceramic coated.

 

[BoyRacer]

It's done. I purchased a Ford 302. And I got a set of Tiger exhaust manifolds. Let the fun begin.

 

[HealeyRick]

Best of luck. Let me know if I can help.

 

[Lin]

It's done. I purchased a Ford 302. And I got a set of Tiger exhaust manifolds. Let the fun begin.

Cool! Looking forward to hearing about and seeing (photos and/or videos please) your progress with the project!
Lin