Rover v8 identification.

[cid.vranken]

Hello All,

I’m new to the forum, but I think all V8 specialist are here...

I have got a Rover V8 3.9L engine with 4X2 Dellorto’s 45 on them out of a Replica.
That's all a knew, up till recently when I opened the engine for replace head gasket.( I found water fumes coming out of crank case ventilation.)
Hope it is the gasket not the block.
Engine looks new inside.

So what I know until now (thanks to David Hardcastle book+ this site) :
Engine is 37A…. so a 350I from TVR/Morgan.
The bore is 93.5mm NOT 94..mm so this indicates an early JE-Engineering upgrade to 3.9L?
Omega pistons
Crane high rev followers
Double springs (I would say also from JE-Engineering)
Cam? No idea. Probably also crane. I will measure lift height later
Valve train from EFI (acc. valves) with as far as I could see standard rockers.
Inlet ports are widened to the max.

Questions:
Which Headgasket to use? I already ordered a 3.9L standard 94mm composite. Is this usable for 93.5mm? A 3.5L gasket from” Fel-Pro Permatorque acc Hardcastle” is advised acc Hardcastle book?
What power range could someone expect from this powerplant?
What would I put as max rev limiter for this set-up?
Could roller rockers be a further improvement?

Thanks for advice. I need the engine ready for next meeting in Spa Francorchamps “6 hours”…..

PS: Thanks to te moderators for this great forum

[Cobra]

Sounds like a nice set up! it seems to be a JE engine and could possibly be John's cam in as well.Why don't you give John or Richard a call they will answer all of your questions and sell you quality gaskets etc. Give them your engine number if John built it everything is on computer for traceability, just a thought Cheers Mark.

[cid.vranken]

Hello Mark,

Aha..I've now reed the history of JE more in detail. So the founders were the builders of this engine probably. Yes I will give them a call. Thanks..

In the mean time I also measured the lift height and it was about 7.5mm at lifter +-. So 12mm at valve (1.6 ratio).

Also here a picture of the engine partially dismantled already. see link google fotos.

https://goo.gl/photos/nET7Zaf1ZEvJpDpK6

[Cobra]

Hi yes John Eales is the guru with rover engines and his son Richard followed in his footsteps. If it is one of John's engines he has camshafts made to his own profile.
Excellent people to deal with and his knowledge is unbeatable. I like the gt40 is it a KVA .

[cid.vranken]

Marc,

It's a GTDevelopment.
I contacted John, but it seems not to be one of his engines.
He has always put a number on the block front near the deck on the passenger side row. I can only see a date.

But he gave me some advice and he's got a nice amount of performance parts on his Web-shop..

But I'm a bid confused there is also a firm JE Engineering now JE Motorworks the firm he has is JE developments. What's the link?