My Rover is leaving me....

lendaddy · 12-08-2004, 06:10 PM

I love my old style '95 Rover. It is my war-wagon. It goes through anything and just feels "good". Anyway, at about 200k the motor is giving up the ghost

When she gets warm I lose a cylinder (rings?) I did all the tuneup stuff and no change.

It would be nice to drop a small block in it, but I doubt it would make financial sense. I really don't want to buy another right now, kinda sucks.

Oh well there is my rant, I'll miss my Rovie-Wovie

klaucke · 12-08-2004, 06:24 PM

Pic needed!

Moneyguy1 · 12-08-2004, 06:34 PM

Emotional value vs. cost to rebuild.

What will a decent replacement cost?

lendaddy · 12-08-2004, 06:37 PM

I don't have any pics, but she's metallic blue with tan leather. I've had her since '97. These trucks really don't deserve the bad rep they have in my opinion.

No matter how bad the weather this thing was a rock, and comfortible. It is hard to imagine a situation it couldn't get out of.

Maybe a small block wouldn't be that hard? Maybe a new drop in makes sense? I'll look into it.

lendaddy · 12-08-2004, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
Emotional value vs. cost to rebuild.

What will a decent replacement cost?

That's just the thing, they give these things away since everyone fears them. The air suspension, etc.. My air suspension computer and sensors started causing problems, so I made my own control box and wired it into the system. Now I have 2" more than stock when I want it and can go real low as well. She has every imaginable option and they all work.

I've looked into the '96+ versions, but they are still a little pricey for what I use it for. Like I said, she's a war wagon that cleans up real good

TerryBPP · 12-09-2004, 07:56 AM

Putting a Ford 5.0 V8 in there shouldn't be to hard. Just go with a carb instea of fuel inj. I would cost you about $1000 for a engine & tranny and another $500 for installation accesories. A custom exhaust might be needed if clearances are tight. Would be quicker and more reliable than the old rover motor.

lendaddy · 12-09-2004, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TerryBPP
Putting a Ford 5.0 V8 in there shouldn't be to hard. Just go with a carb instea of fuel inj. I would cost you about $1000 for a engine & tranny and another $500 for installation accesories. A custom exhaust might be needed if clearances are tight. Would be quicker and more reliable than the old rover motor.

Terry, are you aware of a swap kit for this? Why Ford? Just looking for options.

She and I will go to the end together

I plan on driving her until she gasps her last breath. Should be soon, but she's surprised me before. I'm gonna carry a little champagne bottle around for the moment. Yea, I got issues.

motion · 12-09-2004, 08:47 AM

I had one of those things, Lendaddy. Loved the tall seating position and the quarky nature, but absolutely hated the lack of power and the unreliability. Stick a Chevy 350 in there and enjoy it for another 20 years!!!

lendaddy · 12-09-2004, 09:01 AM

When I first got this thing I had reservations. It was totally different from anything I'de driven. It's ugly, awkward, slow, and otherwise weird. It was not till winter and horrible storms that I really appreciated it. Trips to the slopes with ass loads of gear and comfy passengers, just an unstopable feeling. I just totally redid the brakes, new tires, etc.. so I was hoping she'd perk up from the attention

Superman · 12-09-2004, 10:51 AM

"Yea, I got issues."

Yea. You do.

But loving automobiles makes perfect sense. I understand the champaigne thing. But I'd prefer that you find a way to keep her in your family. A man's got to have a handful of things he feels he can count on. though, for most men, a Land Rover is not one of those things.

Hey, I had an Audi Fox. No one considered it to be a good or reliable car. Well, let me tell you... Those seats were the most comfortable I have ever sat in. Nothing ever went wrong with that car. There were times I drained a quart of mud from the crankcase when changing oil (biannual oil changes, whether it needed one or not). It sat in the rain for a few years before I decided I had no use for her any more. It went to the junk yard. I drove it there. Started right up.

Adam · Adam's Garage

My girlfriend's father used to own an '84 Range Rover which had an alloy "Donovan" V8 in it.

By all accounts that thing was a monster.

A buddy of mine has an old Range Rover with a 350 Chev with alloy heads. Man, that thing moves! But, his is also chopped into a pick-up and the tailgate badge now says "HANG OVER".

chuckw951 · 12-10-2004, 02:26 AM

Have you tried discoweb.org classifieds?

Here's a link to a classified ad where someone is offering up a short block for $420

http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=4084

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Aren't those Rover motors based upon an alloy Buick block from the 60's or something???? If so, maybe some kind of Buick motor would bolt right up?

Shaun @ Tru6 · 12-10-2004, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cegerer
Aren't those Rover motors based upon an alloy Buick block from the 60's or something???? If so, maybe some kind of Buick motor would bolt right up?

confirmed.

turbo6bar · 12-10-2004, 05:55 AM

Buy a long block from RPI Engineering in the UK.
http://www.rpiv8.com/engine.htm

lendaddy · 12-10-2004, 07:25 AM

I can source a motor right here in town actually. The 4.6L is pretty easy to transplant from what I've heard. The block was indeed a Buick design used in the early 60's Skylark for one. The same block was also used in the Triumph TR8, MGB GT V8, and others.

The real suck of these motors was always in the heads I believe. Maybe a simple replacement of the 4.2L makes the most sense?