The V8 Owners Forum -

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

Go with one these front covers from John Eales A far superior oil pump,distributor hole, takes a P6 water pump

Thanks for the information

Can anyone confirm if my list is correct though?

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.

Thanks

Anything else I need to look out for?

Don't think so!, go for it!

Chris.

Thanks.

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