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gavbriggs

Well-Known Member
does the 3.9 or 3.5 rover v8 fit in a p38, what will i have to change? if it fits, what about the engine electrics, ie crank sensor and oil pressure.

i'm looking at slamming a classic engine in to give me a bit of breathing space so i can refurb my 4.0 engine. also i have seen a couple of engines that are off the car and said to be good runners. how can i avoid buying a complete pig and save myself the hassle of putting in engine only to find it's ferked?

cheers guys
 
Don't quote me on this but I'm fairly sure a 3.9 would fit as it is the same block on the 4.0l. You would need to change the EFI wiring harness if it is an early 3.9 because I think the injection system was changed - would think irishrover or eightinavee would knoow better.

Also, you might need to think about gearbox/flex plate. For what its worth, hope that helps.
 
the one i've seen is a 3.9 and has a distributor, can this be removed and the electronic ignition from the 4.0 along with the 4.0 heads used? how does the dist connect to engine?

basically what i'm asking is:

if u just exchange the blocks what will be the result, i'm aware i will have to change the water pump stuff over and from what i've seen its a straight swap. the heads may be changed depending on what fixings there are on the 3.9.

y'know me fellas, panic like mad it's not going to work and then persevere and get it working!! lol

cheers.
 
i ran big valve heads on 3.5 in mk2 escort many years ago they were actually equvilant to 3.9heads. so i cannot see why your 4ltr heads wont work. if it was me i would ditch the electrics and run carbs. im big fan of twin su.s or whak in a lovely 4 barrel holley for wicked accerlaration of the lights even in a range.
 
brutusmotorsport said:
i ran big valve heads on 3.5 in mk2 escort many years ago they were actually equvilant to 3.9heads. so i cannot see why your 4ltr heads wont work. if it was me i would ditch the electrics and run carbs. im big fan of twin su.s or whak in a lovely 4 barrel holley for wicked accerlaration of the lights even in a range.
Click to expand...


one step at a time before we start putting wicked and acceleration in the same sentance!!!:hippie:
 
damper on this is emission control, carbs for this age vehicle are history
 
well i'm hoping to use 3.9 bottom end and 4.0 top end, change water pump side over just wondering about crank sensor, knock sensor and the distributer.

hopeing to use the 4.0 ignition and intake, well everything else except 4.0 block really!

not bothered about carbs as i will have to disable the ignition wiring etc and could do without extra work as i intend to get the 4.0 block re manufactured/replaced and back in as soon as poss. just need the car running!
 
you might have to et a 3.9 serpentine block as i'm not sure if the older v pulley crank will accept the later serp stuff. other than that just swap the timing cases, heads and loom
 
the one i'm going for is a 92, it looks like it has the macined holes for the alternator and aircon pump brackets, but they bolt on to the head, as i'm using the 4.0 heads i'm hopeing it fits. the only pulleys on the block are crank and water pump?? is that right??
 
use the bottom 3.9 and top 4ltr and should all go together with fingers crossed. if it was me in your shoes that id what i would be doin gavin.
 
brutusmotorsport said:
use the bottom 3.9 and top 4ltr and should all go together with fingers crossed. if it was me in your shoes that id what i would be doin gavin.
Click to expand...

thats pretty much how i envisage it going, i know there will be some bits that need a bit of jiggery pokery but with the help i get on here and a bit of swearing and stamping of feet and plenty of nicotine i reckon i will get through it!!!

well thats my next few weekends taken up!!

i will try and post some pics and keep a record of the build so that others can learn from my mistakes/triumphs! it'll also help you guys come up with suggestions for me when i'm stuck!!! lol!!!
 
Tig9619 said:
you might have to et a 3.9 serpentine block as i'm not sure if the older v pulley crank will accept the later serp stuff. other than that just swap the timing cases, heads and loom
Click to expand...

Crankshaft pulley keyway/oil pump/water pump/timing case are different.
Vee belt and serpentine engines are not interchangeable on the front end.
 
gavbriggs said:
so how do i tell which is wich? this could be the first stumbling block, its a 92 vogue se 3.9 efi
Click to expand...

If it's got lots of vee belts on the front it's the older type engine, if there's one continuous flat belt it's the newer serpentine engine which should be fairly straight forward to swap your 4.0 heads and front cover across.
It might pay to give someone like Turner Engineering a call: They remanufacture V8 motors and should know what swaps and what doesn't.
 
ahh didn't understand the vee belt bit but its the cross section of the belt, that should be an easy diagnosis.
 
Hi, I cant believe you had such a good reponse from this question, i have been asking this question for the last two months with hardly any feedback, anyway enough of me moaning, from me looking on e-bay and asking lads who mess about with Rangies (offroad) they all agree that its the surpentine we need, which are in soft dash models and also discos, the reasons for this is that everything will swap over, and there is a the boss on this casting that needs to be drill and maybe some tappings to take the crankshaft sensor. This is as far as i have got because my P38 project i have bought doesnt arrive until today so i havent really had a good look at the P38 casting and know how the sensor is attached to the block, so if find more than one surp engine let me know. Colin ( i will send you e-bay contacts later)
 
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