Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

General Chat About Engine Build

Moderator: phpBB2 - Administrators

Post Reply
kugawestie
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:25 pm

Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

Post by kugawestie »

Hi

I want to convert a Rover 4.6 Gems Engine to mimic a Rover SD1 engine with a 4 barrel carb and 123 ignition dizzy. I know it’s old skool but it will be in keeping with the car it is going in. There is currently a 3.5 SD1 in the car but I need to keep this running right up until swap time so cannot strip parts from it.

Has anyone done this conversion?

My first job is to obtain the parts needed to convert.

As I understand it, I will need:-
Timing cover.
Oil pump cover. Later post 1982 donor of possible?
Oil pump gears, plunger and spring. Later post 1982 donor if possible?
Oil pick up pipe assembly with bolts.
Sump.
Water pump pulley.
Crank pulley/damper.
Cam gear, spacer, bolt and washer.
Water pump.
Gaskets.

Am I missing anything from my list of parts?

Do I need to change the cam?

Any help much appreciated. I have stripped and rebuilt a few MX5 engines in the past but this will be a new journey!

Thanks
Gary



User avatar
Blown v8
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 369
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 2:20 pm
Location: Kent

Re: Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

Post by Blown v8 »

Go with one these front covers from John Eales
90758176-D116-4668-9C2E-8F33CBF06AA2.jpeg
A far superior oil pump,distributor hole, takes a P6 water pump

User avatar
Rossco
Moderator Gold
Moderator Gold
Posts: 850
Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:33 am
Location: Too many to even keep count

Re: Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

Post by Rossco »


kugawestie
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:25 pm

Re: Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

Post by kugawestie »

Thanks for the information

Can anyone confirm if my list is correct though?

User avatar
ChrisJC
Top Dog
Top Dog
Posts: 5040
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:13 pm
Location: Northants / Cambs
Contact:

Re: Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

Post by ChrisJC »

You also need a spacer to go on the end of the crankshaft as the nose is longer.
And a camshaft that will drive your distributor and oil pump as the GEMS engine will not have the features required for that.

I'm not sure, but the ancillary fixing holes in the heads may have slightly different threads, but nothing that a different fastener can't solve if it is the case.

Chris.
--
Series IIA 4.6 V8
R/R P38 4.6 V8
R/R L405 4.4 SDV8

kugawestie
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:25 pm

Re: Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

Post by kugawestie »

Thanks

Anything else I need to look out for?

User avatar
ChrisJC
Top Dog
Top Dog
Posts: 5040
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:13 pm
Location: Northants / Cambs
Contact:

Re: Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

Post by ChrisJC »

Don't think so!, go for it!

Chris.
--
Series IIA 4.6 V8
R/R P38 4.6 V8
R/R L405 4.4 SDV8

kugawestie
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:25 pm

Re: Convert a Rover 4.6 Gems engine to SD1

Post by kugawestie »

Thanks.

The next task is to find all the parts including an engine!

Post Reply

Return to “Engines Area”