back in their day we used to rebuild a lot and a lot went for the 2.5 as a replacement,quite an interesting engine to rebuild, you bolt the main bearing caps around the crank journals then slide that into the block,heads cracked often and later were chrome plated on head face iirc,they also ran high oil pressure 90 psi
I'd go as far to say, "a very strange engine to put in a luxury car!"
 
Let me know if you want me to get a sample engine number off the 2.4 we have here to compare, I can get it later today from my mates place, but this engine is out of 1988 rrc.
not sure if this is engine number, probably not.
RR300DMOD

I'd go as far to say, "a very strange engine to put in a luxury car!"
I know,. but in the 80's british leyland decided for it because they think it good for some reason.
 
back in their day we used to rebuild a lot and a lot went for the 2.5 as a replacement,quite an interesting engine to rebuild, you bolt the main bearing caps around the crank journals then slide that into the block,heads cracked often and later were chrome plated on head face iirc,they also ran high oil pressure 90 psi

Sounds like an interesting engine to build ;)

We have one sat in the yard, out of an 825 rover i believe
VM 425.
 
not sure if this is engine number, probably not.
RR300DMOD


I know,. but in the 80's british leyland decided for it because they think it good for some reason.


They tried to convert the 3.5 RV8 into a diesel, but the block couldn't take the higher pressure..

Project iceberg i believe it was called.

The 4.2 RV8 shares the crank and bearing set up with project iceberg, IIRC.

In it's day The VM motors were apparently quite smooth.

They're certainly smoother than the 2-300 TDi's
 
They tried to convert the 3.5 RV8 into a diesel, but the block couldn't take the higher pressure..

Project iceberg i believe it was called.

The 4.2 RV8 shares the crank and bearing set up with project iceberg, IIRC.

In it's day The VM motors were apparently quite smooth.

They're certainly smoother than the 2-300 TDi's
they did we had some of the prototypes as well as tdi types with hydraulic tappets
 
Out of interest, Hobsons ?
yes, in the 80s he struck a deal with lr to take all their test /damaged vehicles and units ie engines, boxes etc,everything had to be broken to parts to be sold and chassis scrap ie cut up,famous four got their start selling some of these parts of which most were new or like new, a good few customers got 3 door rrc turned into 5 door with efi or later 300tdi was a common conversion
 
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Went there quite a bit when got the first RR in 1988, Jeff ( I think he was called ) always seemed to be very helpful.
he was the bosses eldest son, couldnt get up in the morning allways turned up at 11 but very helpful, the younger son was like his dad full of bull**** but without the intelligence, apart from average customes lr scrap parts refurbished a lot of MOD and UN vehicles,when lr moved to the p38 hobsons got sole rights to produce and recon the classic borg warner t/box,which was an interesting visit to borg warner at south margam, we looked around the t/box line then entered an empty room which was to build an auto for a far eastern company unfortuneatly they took note of all the plant and procedure and built their own,also at meetings between a giant and a small lincolnshire firm we all wore our best suits they just company overall jackets and trousers
 
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In it's day The VM motors were apparently quite smooth.

They're certainly smoother than the 2-300 TDi's
I took a brand new rrc fitted with a VM back in 1988 for a test drive, very impressive performance, at the time I owned a 3.5 low compression V8 1977 2door and it seemed to me that the VM went much better on a freeway run at least and it was nice to drive, but I couldnt justify the cost of the new rr but would have liked to own it.
The VM my friend has here now is ex 88 RRC and fitted in an 85 County, it has been reasonably reliable but we've had a few head gasket problems due to head bolt "creep", the engine has now been re ringed with all new head bolts and gaskets. We haven't put it back in the County yet.
 
I'm no help at identifying a VM engine, but wondering if anyone could say why mine is an EFI on the v5 but decoding the VIN shows it was built as a 2.4 VM?
 
Like many Land Rovers the RRC is basically a big boy's meccano kit:) & finding one that hasn't been messed about with or changed can be a challenge!
Perhaps the original VM went pop & the owner decided to put something else in.
What engine has yours actually got in it?
 
I'm no help at identifying a VM engine, but wondering if anyone could say why mine is an EFI on the v5 but decoding the VIN shows it was built as a 2.4 VM?

VIN will show engine fitted at time of manufacture but V5 wil show current engine, sounds like it had a heart transplant and the V5 amended.
 
Currently has a 200tdi in it (fitted by me) but had a transit engine when i bought it in 2005
 
I assumed the model would have remained TURBO D regardless of what engine was put in
 
If it helps I think the engine number is on the side of the block just under 3 and 4 glowplugs, counting from the front.
At least I saw a number there when changing glows last week and assumed thats what it was.
 
The VM 2.4 was replaced in 1990 by the 2.5 VM and a short time later that was replaced by the 200tdi.

All 2-300 TDIs are badged TDI on the boot.

And VM's are badged Turbo D ;)

And with yours being a july '89 it'll be the 2.4.
Not true I’m afraid. We have a G plate on an 89 plate which is a 2.5 VM.
 

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