Hi all,

Due to collect a series III SWB this weekend, that has had an engine conversion. The new engine is the Essex 3.0L V6 (petrol) from a Scimitar, with a Webber twin carb fitted.

Conversion was done by a company called Grease Monkeys.

Has anyone had this conversion?

Just after a few thoughts on this


Cheers

Chris

so not a ford engine?

fit a diesel tdi for best results.

yeah it's a ford motor - as found in such delights as the 3-litre capri etc etc.

Never had a Landy with this motor, but it was a popular conversion back in the 80's/90's.

I did however run a Scimitar SE5a with this engine, from memory it was around 145bhp, and went well ... although you'll spend a chunk on fuel! The Scimitar was (possibly) lighter, and (probably) more aerodynamic ... still never got above 20MPG although I was a LOT younger back then and probably had a heavyish right foot! (and it was auto).

Good luck with it!

ere it will drink **** loads ees right

Not quite as bad as me old V8 but not far off.

nice old school lump, just change the oil pump drive gear if you not sure of the milage,there known ta fail at around 80,000 miles

Thanks for the replys

So from that I gather it should have a nice amount of oomph, but may be a tad thisty

Really looking forward to collecting it but gotta long drive back in it to see what she is like! Gotta drive it from Chester to Southampton

As mentioned check out the pencil that drives the oil pump,and dont rev it too hard when the oil is cold.Tighten the heads down 10ft lb more than the manual says will make the head gaskets last a bit longer too.
Not a fab engine - cant hold a candle to a 3.5 Rover of the same era.
I had the Scim bread wagon too SE5A auto,most disappointing car I ever had.

There was from meory 2 types of ford v6, the essex and the cologne, the latter is what you want, you can tell because to the best of my recolection, the dizzy is at the fron on an essex and at the back of the engine on the cologne, the cologne is a much better motor and was used a fair bit in racing, the essex is troublesome especially on valve gear.
I looked at a landy with the cologne, but didnt buy it in't thend.

Thanks for the heads up on that guys, I will have a good nose around the engine when I pick her up this weekend.

I was a scimitar owner for 13 yrs. In its time it was the most economical engine - i got 28 mpg and could get 32mpg on a long run like Aberdeen to Dorset. Like all engines set up well and you shouldn't be disappointed. I've still got some parts which you're welcome to.

The beauty of the essex was its low down torque... can't agree with other replies that the Cologne was better. The Cologne was fitted to the later SE6... quite a few folk have put an Essex in theirs. The Cologne could be tuned more but still many racing scimitars keep with the essex.

The nylon timing wheel was a pain and did go occasionally resulting in damage to rocker gear. Steel timing wheels have been available for sometime and are good [i had one on my motor]. The oil vane pump was only a problem on the earlier Essex and the later one had a gear pump which gave me no problems in 100,000 miles.

The aluminium inlet manifold could suffer corrosion and thus not seal well - i've got one reconditioned if your interested.

I'd say it'd suit a landy well and more economical original powerplants. essex would be an excellent choice for towing. Scimitars were known as one of the best tow cars as they had a large heavily constructed chassis. Get an essex set up well and you won't be disappointed.

Use good quality oil in the essex, I recall seeing a few where the rocker gear had worn badly due to lack of lube caused by cheap oil detergent fouling up the oilways with crud.
Seriously though as the other chaps have said, a diesel is a good way to go the landy is not a roadster, unless your gonna spend a lot of cash, the 200tdi is a easy and cost effective solution.