Rover V8 conversion in a '71 Marina

beniboyz · Post by **beniboyz** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:20 pm

JJMclure wrote:looks like it went in there from the factory! Keep it up!

Thanks

It was based on a factory install:

ian.stewart · Post by **ian.stewart** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 3:21 pm

You probably also know it was a S/T kit as well, partially developed with Car & Car Conversions in the 70s, and I believe the kit was used to make the V8 pickup Custom Car did as a project vehicle

beniboyz · Post by **beniboyz** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:57 pm

I didn't know it was an S/T kit. The documentation I have only lists 1.3 and 1.8 engines. Should you know more I would be interested to know.

I have copies of Custom Car magazine detailing the V8 pickup builds. I haven't yet searched for the Car & Car Conversions one. This is (I think) the engine bay of it.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:22 pm

beniboyz wrote: A common failure on these ZF boxes, I am led to believe.
Ben

Probably 'A' clutch failure:
http://www.cowdery.org.uk/zf.php

Chris.

beniboyz · Post by **beniboyz** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:48 pm

ChrisJC wrote:
beniboyz wrote: A common failure on these ZF boxes, I am led to believe.
Ben
Probably 'A' clutch failure:
http://www.cowdery.org.uk/zf.php

Chris.

Yes that was my thoughts too after I read your story on the site.

I've had a quote from a company nearby that said they would inspect for free and repairs are from £125 upwards. I may even get it upgraded with HP24 parts to give it a chance of surviving the 3.9 a little longer.

I've not done anything with it for a couple of weeks. I'm hoping to get a new storage unit where I can start back on it over the winter.. It's like any project/hobby... Money!

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:22 pm

Generally with an auto, you don't pay someone to just repair it. The labour involved in stripping it and all the parts necessary when doing this like gaskets and ATF etc means it makes more sense to do a full overhaul. There are kits of all the wearing parts readily available.

Oh - you won't get this done properly for £125 or even anywhere close. Also when a friction plate etc fails, it deposits crap all round the box including inside the torque converter, which can't be cleaned. Or rather not easily. So it's usual to fit a new one.

Look at perhaps £1200 for a decent job.

minorv8 · Post by **minorv8** » Tue Sep 11, 2012 11:58 am

Having driven Marinas I have to say that you are a very brave man. A decent V8 combined with Marina roadholding is something that I might not even want to experience...

To be honest, I have joked about fitting a Rover V8 into a Marina, there is plenty of space and I believe even the bellhousing fits underneath the steering rack without problems. I did not know that such conversions were available or actually done.

I did a Minor V8 conversion in late 90s, however very little remains from the suspension (which is basically the same as Marina)

Jukka

beniboyz · Post by **beniboyz** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:13 pm

Thanks for the comments.

The front suspension has an S/T telescopic kit fitted with antiroll bar and 10cwt torsion bars and the rear has heavy duty S/T springs. Believe me, you can make them handle very well with very little effort.

I've not updated this for a while since the weather has been so horrible. I've also moved the V8 into a new unit so much more organised now.

I've started changing the front panel work around on the car as I just couldn't live with the RSJ look.

I made it by simply grafting another front valance to the old one. It will be welded into place then lightly skimmed and painted.

Also started building a new removable xmember. This is what the radiator will mount too and the oil cooler + cold air feed for the engine.

There are a few little jobs to do before painting the engine bay and front panel. Biggest being the gearbox repair. If anyone can help with another box or even repairing this one for me, please do get in touch!

I hope to be driving it again this summer.

Ben

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:26 pm

What box have to got in it? At the beginning of this thread it seems to be a B-W, and later on a ZF.

beniboyz · Post by **beniboyz** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:43 pm

its a ZF from a Sherpa Dave. Only goes in reverse!!

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 10:46 pm

beniboyz wrote: its a ZF from a Sherpa Dave. Only goes in reverse!!

Ah - right. Must have missed that part. They're pretty cheap ex R R, and the internals are likely all the same. Re-building an auto actually isn't that difficult with the correct overhaul manual. And there is definitely a Land Rover one for the ZF 4HP.

beniboyz · Post by **beniboyz** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:11 am

Thanks for that.

To be fair I've not got the time to be pulling the box apart myself so would rather send it to someone that is more experienced.

Saying that, I did manage to replace the kick down cable without removing much more than the sump pan. Something a lot of the Land Rover forums said couldn't be done.

It's not that I couldn't attempt it, I just have too many other items on my list to finish off on the car.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:55 pm

The problem is that to convert a 4WD box to a 2WD box, you have to change the output shaft. And to do that, you have to remove all the gearsets, so pretty much a total stripdown / rebuild!!

Chris.

beniboyz · Post by **beniboyz** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:03 pm

Yeah, that's quite some work for someone that's not done anything with autos before!

Don't surpose you can help, Chris?

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:51 pm

beniboyz wrote:Yeah, that's quite some work for someone that's not done anything with autos before!

Don't surpose you can help, Chris?

I have the same issue as you - too many projects, not enough time!

My help is limited to the pics on my website.

I would think that any auto transmission specialist would be able to sort it for you.

Chris.