DavidW Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Hi I'm rebuilding my 90 on a Richards V8 chassis with a 3.9l EFi V8 which I took out of a Discovery but have come across a problem dropping the engine in. I've got the Discovery LT77 v8 bell housing, an Ashcroft built long stick v8 LT77 and the disco transfer box. At the gearbox end I've used the Defender mounts which is fine as it should keep everything in the right places for the tunnel and props. At the the engine end, I'm using the Discovery engine mounts which seem to land about 2.5" too far back to meet the chassis mounts. Any ideas what I need to do? Are there different mounts for a Defender V8? Any help appreciated - Thanks! David P.S. I promise I'll start a promise rebuild thread soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous doug Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 The bell housing is longer on a v8 disco. You have done right in keeping the transmission in the same place as it now means you only have to weld on new engine mounts. Mine were £43 posted from Richards chassis. Another problem you might have is the gearstick positioning if your using a disco box as it doesnot have a remote selecter im doing a similar thing in my build http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=93802 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Hmmm. The problem is you probably won't want to weld the galv chassis. I was forced to weld mine as my galv chassis was originally for td5 engine. Try and locate a def v8 bell housing, though they may be like rocking horse ****? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous doug Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Ah yes I didn't see that. It's not just a matter of using a defender bell housing as the input shaft would be a lot longer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidW Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks for the comments. The gearbox was built by Ashcroft Transmission for me using as a range rover v8 long stick and long input shaft LT77 which I think were actually fitted to Defenders for a short while after the end of LT85 and some bits form the disco LT77s to make it a bit more modern... In theory (so I thought) this should put the the sticks in the right places and allow the props to fit back on. The bellhousing is the disco LT77 one which is 30cm long. Not sure if there is a different type for Defenders? This one does seems to be the right length for the 'long' input shaft and it mated ok with the flywheel etc. It certainly looks a lot longer the at the 4 cylinder one I used to have. More photos in case they help shed any light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidW Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Yes, not keen to weld the galv chassis for both reasons of future proofing rust and my rubbish welding skills. I guess I need to modify the engine mount brackets to extend them forward slightly? It would be good to know where the v8 engine should sit relative to a reference point on the chassis in anyone knows? Thanks David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous doug Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 you would be better off modifying the bracket on the engine in that case. Where abouts in Suffolk are you? I might be able to help if you need welding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidW Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 you would be better off modifying the bracket on the engine in that case. Where abouts in Suffolk are you? I might be able to help if you need welding I'm just slightly south of Diss. You? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous doug Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Brandon area so it's not to bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich broom Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Have you bolted up your props to make sure gearbox is in right place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I will try and see if I took pics of my chassis after it was welded. I had my welding done professionally as my skills are not up to engine mounts. Especially as the galv can make welding interesting if the galv isn't 100% removed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Ok. If you take a look at my build thread, on page1 you will see a pic of my chassis before and after mounts welded in place. Shows pretty well where the mounts go. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidW Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Good question about the props so I went out and checked. The original 90 props fit which is good. Interestingly the slimline disco front prop that I kept seems too short which is a shame as I think the extra clearance past the exhaust is needed. Looking at n4s pics my engine mounts look in just the same place so I reckon I have lost exactly 2 inches somewhere in the disco v8 bell housing or my LT77. Really disappointed as tried hard to try get everything into standard positions.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco-Ron Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have just gone from an old chassis with a 3.5 and long stick lt77 to a new chassis with 3.9 auto. . I welded the engine mounts where the factory v8 ones were fitted and it all bolted up ok. interestingly if your disco front prop is too short surely that means that the engine needs to be moved forward. . The question is. What combination of engine and box did you have previously? ?. if you've come from a 300 that's why you're wrong. The 300 & 200/v8 props are different lengths. . from what I've been able to establish anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidW Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have just gone from an old chassis with a 3.5 and long stick lt77 to a new chassis with 3.9 auto. . I welded the engine mounts where the factory v8 ones were fitted and it all bolted up ok. interestingly if your disco front prop is too short surely that means that the engine needs to be moved forward. . The question is. What combination of engine and box did you have previously? ?. if you've come from a 300 that's why you're wrong. The 300 & 200/v8 props are different lengths. . from what I've been able to establish anyway iThe plot thickens! I hoped and expected mine to work out just like yours. Don't suppose you have or could find a reference dimension for where your engine sits relative to the chassis or where the gearbox mounts are. I'm wondering if the gearbox I've had built is somehow 2" short? The 90 was originally a 2.5 petrol so LT77 so the same props as 200tdi era vehicles. The new chassis is a Richards V8 specific one. The Disco was a 1993 3.9 with LT77s. I'm also wondering if could have tried the original props on back to front, disguising the possibility the engine does in fact need to come forward and the gearbox mounts are wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco-Ron Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have pictures of exactly where my engine mounts are. ... I used the gearbox mounts from the donor discovery. .. my old set up which was 3.5 and lt77 had the engine sat 2 inches further back than stock v8... will try to remember to upload pictures when I'm not on the phone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidW Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 I have pictures of exactly where my engine mounts are. ... I used the gearbox mounts from the donor discovery. .. my old set up which was 3.5 and lt77 had the engine sat 2 inches further back than stock v8... will try to remember to upload pictures when I'm not on the phone! Photos would be create. The lt77 with engine sat 2" back looks like where I'm headed. Thanks David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco-Ron Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I might be wrong but I don't think lr ever used an lt77 behind the v8 in a defender. .. moving the gearbox forward may well mess up the tunnel etc. moving the engine backwards will mean non standard hoses and exhaust etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Correct. LR used either LT85, LT95 or Auto as standard. I had heard a rumour that some 50th anniversary models were fitted with the R380 but unsure if this was ever confirmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidW Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 I've heard they did use the LT77 for a brief period in between the Lt85 and the R380. Would be interested to have look at one of those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco-Ron Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 What I was basically getting at is that you're trying to use a combination that wasn't used . Therefore mounts may not exist to achieve your goal. .. or very rare if they do. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco-Ron Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 this is where my mounts are. ... which I believe is standard v8 position Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Yup. That's exactly where mine are Ron. Though my mounts look a bit more beefy than yours for some reason. Are those genuine mounts your using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous doug Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 It doesn't matter if the lt77 was used for a short period if it was mounted to a lt77/v8 short bell housing. If you move the gearbox you will still have to move mounts, your just changing what mount is moved. Doing this will also mean your props won't fit and your shifter is somewhere near your elbow. You are left with 3 alternatives; find an lt85 and short bell housing, mod the bracket that bolts to the block or cut the bracket on the chassis and re weld one in the correct place. I think making a new mount will be the best way for you to go as you'll keep your chassis shiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash.Witty Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I had a 300tdi 110 that I converted to v8, gearbox stayed in the same pace and my mounts are in exactly the same pace as yours. I'm thinking you need a different set of gearbox mounts/crossmember to move it backwards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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