The V8 Owners Forum -

I havent rebuilt an engine since i was 15 (17 years ago) and that was a Kent engine.

So forgive me for being a bit rusty with whats, what here.

I want to strip and rebuild my 3.9 Rover V8 and would love a list of the bits needed.

Such as:

Big end bearing set
Head gasket set
Valve guides

e.t.c...e.t.c.

I am ust not sure what NEEDS to be replaced and whats ok to leave (i know that somethings will be a surprise to me once opening the engine but i want as full a overhaul kit as i can)

The reason i dont buy a kit in one is i am spreading the cost over the next couple of months in preperation of the rebuild.

Cheers for understanding and helping out a thicky

No such thing as stupid questions, only stupid answers...

I'd say the only thing you are guaranteed to need is a complete gasket set. You could open it up and find it lovely inside! Or not...

Whats the history of the engine? Has it had regular oil changes etc? Whats it fitted to? Is there any particular reason for the stripdown?

When i built my 3.5 from various bits and pieces, i ended up buying:

Top end gasket set (head gaskets, valve stem seals, rocker cover seals etc)
Bottom end set (Timing chest gasket, water pump, crank seals etc)
Cam
Followers
Rocker gear (shafts and rockers)
Main bearings
Big ends
Piston rings

My heads were later 10 bolt type ones off ebay with very few miles on them (the block they were attached to had failed due to a crack behind a liner). I simply lapped the valves back in, all else was ok.

Other things you might need could be:

Oil pump gears
Timing chain and gears.

I did mine over a period of months following the rover rebuild manual, and the cost of even doing a stock rebuild can mount up! However the engine has been rock solid since (touchwood), and i am looking to do another for my Dads vehicle because it really is good fun

Good luck with it, post on here and people will always try to answer your questions...

Good point there,

I may just start and get things as and when then.

I dont know much history save its from a 1990 Range rover Vogue SE (i have that as a donor vehicle)

Auto version so probably had a failry lazy life. Although the clock shows 174k miles hence the rebuild.

It runs sweet, No smoke and oil emulsion in the oil. at 174k i wanted to be safer and have some fun rebuilding

Cheers for the advice!

Get a complete set of gaskets (you can get top end & bottom end kits).

Then strip it down and see what else you need.

I will wager you will also need:
Big end & Main bearings (maybe a regrind)
New camshaft & tappets
New rocker shafts & rockers
New cam chain & sprockets

Maybe even a rebore & new pistons & rings?

Depends how far you want to go....

Chris.

Are the tin head gaskets any good?

At 174 K miles, I would recommend,
check bores to see if they are still round , odds on they will have quite a step top and bottom, if no step and they are still round check the pistons to spec, and if still good a quick hone and new rings on old pistons would be well worth it, if oval a rebore is in order.
Core plugs out, oil gallery plugs likewise and clean with fairy power spray and a bottle brush for the galleries and jet wash it, onec clean get it hot tanked then get it machined, you will always get a better machining job done on a clean block. check cam bearings, renew if they look warn or are out of spec.
Mains, and big ends, again check, if round then a pollish vith very fine emery and new bearings, if out of spec a grind.
check the rods for straightness and cracks, then renew the bolts, pollish and ballance to the lightest rod and get them shot peened.
New cam, tappets, chain and sprockets, new rockers and shafts, check the push rods for straightness, but if the ends are warn bin them and get new. New oil pump.
new gaskets (I wont get into the tin/ comp debate)
Refresh the heads with new guides, a new seat job and new valves if they are warn and new springs, retainers and locks, opening out the seat area is well worth it and blending into the area behind the valve, removing all casting flash and lines but don't go mad.
Best regards
Mike