Rover V8 snags

So I'll be joining the list of people here with a broken donk... My 4.0l V8 was pressurising coolant at Castle Combe a year ago (not had time to look since!), so I need to take it out and diagnose/sort the issue. Chief suspects are HG failure (but it's only just had the heads skimmed, ARP bolts and new gaskets), slipped liner, porous block or potentially a cracked block. I know the block had some welding about 20-odd years ago, so I think I might be looking at transferring my crank/pistons/heads/cam etc into and onto a new block.

Any advice from those more familiar with the RV8 lump? And any recommendations for engine work near Kings Lynn? I don't mind traveling a little further afield for a race/Rover specialist - V8 Developments in Spalding sound promising...

Just to really mess things up, what is that engine worth as it is, or in parts? So, if it needs a big repair, would it be worth biting the bullet going to a more modern and reliable alternative? Realise you would probably need to change the gearbox as well.

I know what you mean - LS1 may be the answer... But definitely worth at least looking at what I have first! Swapping my bottom end into a different block could be a lot easier?

I was thinking of something along these lines:

http://www.uphillracers.com/showthread.php/honda-s2000-engine-large-sump-10281.html

the gearbox is also available.

I know it will be down on your the V8 engine, but it should be lighter and more useable, especially when including the gearbox.

Hi Billy

believe it or not Frodo would struggle with the regs using one of these in Special Saloons the regs say it must be pre 93 so if he run it on carbs he would probably be ok. Ron harper runs the complete S2000 set up but he fitted it before the series was born so they gave him exemption as his car was an original from the Special Saloon days its crazy you can run sequential gearboxes but not an ecu post 93 ecu

stick a cossie in it mate very cheap for the tuning potential

Ian

You mean like this one?

Includes a T5 box as well plus the engine management

Forgot the link

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/34/viewthread.php?tid=194567