Series 1 head.

izasinner · Jan 2, 2009

I have a 1955 2L 86" series 1.
I'm fitting a Weber 34 ICH carb and a K&N filter.
I've been told that you can fit a high compression cylinder head from a Rover P4 60.
Anyone done it or know anything about this.
It's never going to be a pigeon catcher but I do use it and a bit more umph would be good.
Cheers.

Davec · Jan 2, 2009

Used to be a popular conversion, long before my time so I can't be sure of the details. Where are you getting a P4 head from? The conversion was popular when they were two-a-penny in scrap yards.
It has a different manifold set up, I think the carb, and SU, bolted straight onto the head, so you probably can't use the Webber.

izasinner · Jan 3, 2009

Thanks for that.
Not found a head yet. I suspect these are going to be like the proverbial rocking horse>>>>>>>>>

longshanks · Feb 3, 2009

I have a rover p4 60 engine in mine. It was fitted when i got it. It's supposed to make it go faster ah ha ha ha ha! As you can see, no inlet manifold, Davec is right an SU carb. Richards Rovers sells p4 bits. Compression ratio 6.73:1 whatever that means.

NiteMare · Feb 3, 2009

longshanks said:
I have a rover p4 60 engine in mine. It was fitted when i got it. It's supposed to make it go faster ah ha ha ha ha! As you can see, no inlet manifold, Davec is right an SU carb. Richards Rovers sells p4 bits. Compression ratio 6.73:1 whatever that means.

at that low a compression ratio i suspect you could run it on paraffin

CharlesY · Feb 5, 2009

Those engines have overhead inlet valves and side exhausts - the worst case scenario.

The combustion chamber shape and flame-length required is awful.

Basically there is nothing you can do to make one of these go well.
Find a 2.25 diesel or petrol or even take the trouble to fit a 2.5 petrol engine, or a 2.5 diesel.

CharlesY

Davec · Feb 5, 2009

Such an awful system Rolls Royce used it for years.

Worf · Feb 5, 2009

CharlesY said:
Those engines have overhead inlet valves and side exhausts - the worst case scenario.

The combustion chamber shape and flame-length required is awful.

Basically there is nothing you can do to make one of these go well.
Find a 2.25 diesel or petrol or even take the trouble to fit a 2.5 petrol engine, or a 2.5 diesel.

CharlesY

I think you might find a few Series I owners would dispute that. In good condition the 2litre unit is nice and torquey. With overdive fitted, it will still pull well in o/d top and cruise at 55-60mph. Caernarfon (North Wales) to Skipton in 3 hours and around 24mpg. Only mods are Webber carb and overdrive. Not bad for a 53yr old motor.

CharlesY · Feb 8, 2009

Worf said:
I think you might find a few Series I owners would dispute that. In good condition the 2litre unit is nice and torquey. With overdive fitted, it will still pull well in o/d top and cruise at 55-60mph. Caernarfon (North Wales) to Skipton in 3 hours and around 24mpg. Only mods are Weber carb and overdrive. Not bad for a 53yr old motor.

Yes, and Rolls-Royce and Bentley used the overhead inlet / side exhaust for decades, and so did Rover and others, including a lot of aero engines. But NONE of them do so NOW, do they? Why not?

These engines pull quite well as long as the revs are LOW, and you aren't fussy about fuel consumption or efficiency. As the engine speed rises, the flame length problems (flame time from spark plug to edges of combustion chamber) get worse, efficiency drops, and well, not so good compared to more modern designs.

CharlesY

Worf · Feb 8, 2009

CharlesY said:
Yes, and Rolls-Royce and Bentley used the overhead inlet / side exhaust for decades, and so did Rover and others, including a lot of aero engines. But NONE of them do so NOW, do they? Why not?

These engines pull quite well as long as the revs are LOW, and you aren't fussy about fuel consumption or efficiency. As the engine speed rises, the flame length problems (flame time from spark plug to edges of combustion chamber) get worse, efficiency drops, and well, not so good compared to more modern designs.

CharlesY

Who is talking about NOW. This is a 53 year old motor! I suppose if you are not bothered about originality (or value) you could sling any engine in it.

CharlesY · Feb 8, 2009

Worf said:
Who is talking about NOW. This is a 53 year old motor! I suppose if you are not bothered about originality (or value) you could sling any engine in it.

Yup, you are quite right!
You keep it going, and keep it original.
We need these things kept alive as part of modern engineering history.
I bet my Disco isn't going strong in 50 years time.
I won't be either unless I make it to 115!

CharlesY

Davec · Feb 9, 2009

CharlesY said:
Yes, and Rolls-Royce and Bentley used the overhead inlet / side exhaust for decades, and so did Rover and others, including a lot of aero engines. But NONE of them do so NOW, do they? Why not?

These engines pull quite well as long as the revs are LOW, and you aren't fussy about fuel consumption or efficiency. As the engine speed rises, the flame length problems (flame time from spark plug to edges of combustion chamber) get worse, efficiency drops, and well, not so good compared to more modern designs.

CharlesY

Sounds like just what you want for an off road vehicle.

Series 1 head.

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