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Rover V8 interchange/swap question

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I'm thinking about picking up a Rover V8 engine for possible future use in a B. I talked to a guy who said the 4.0 had a longer crank snout and won't go into a B. He said the 3.9 and 4.2 will. I looked in the wiki and it said the 3.9 is the 4.0, just reffered to differently. What's the break down on these engines? What will swap to what and what will fit in a B? Thanks.
 
In a nut shell. The 3.5 and the 3.9 used the same crank. 3.9 had a larger bore. The 4.2 used the same bore as the 3.9 but a longer stroke crank. The 4.0 has the same bore and stroke as the earlier 3.9, but internally it is a much different engine. The 4.6 has the same bore as the 4.0 but a longer stroke crank. The later 4.0 and 4.6 are better engines because of the larger journal sizes on the crank and because the mains are cross bolted. For the most part, externals will bolt on and cross between the different engines. The later engines use a different cam and cam retainer, but can use the older cams. The crank snouts are different lengths. You need to run a spacer to make the older multi pulley balancer work on the newer cranks. The newer engines used a serpentine setup. Lots more subtle differences, so you will need to do some reading up before you get too deep into it. The expense in these engines is not in acquiring the engine, it's in acquiring all of the hard to find parts that bolt to it. The bolt ons that come out of the Range Rovers that the engines are sourced from are virtually useless in a sports car install. You will need to source proper fitting oil pan $300, timing cover $200, bell housing and shifter components $300, clutch $200, flywheel $200, intake and carb $500, headers $300, you see where I'm going.
 
What I need to know is which engine is the "right" one and which ones should be avoided. They have a 4.0 that looks to be in good condition and a 4.2 that's been setting a while.
 
kellysguy said:
What I need to know is which engine is the "right" one and which ones should be avoided. They have a 4.0 that looks to be in good condition and a 4.2 that's been setting a while.
Click to expand...

Billy, stop this right now. You are trying to get rid of stuff, you don't have a B and when you do (if you do) you can get an engine then - now you will just have more cr*p.
:nonono:
 
Y'aint thinkin right JP.

If it's shot, I can melt it down into sculpture.

If it's good I may be able to use later OR, sell it and make a few dollars to keep the Midget going.

They are getting hrder to come by and hate to see it crushed.

It's sounding like the 302 w/ aluminum heads is an eaiser/cheaper option.
 
Is there any truth to the 4.0 and 4.6 crank snout being too long to fit in the B?
 
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