Bigj66

I would also suspect a dripping injector(s) and also the possibility of valve stem oil seals being past their best both of which could cause smoke on initial cold startup and incomplete combustion when warm. That said it’s been a good few years since I last played with one of these engines.

Looks good👍

I think I have most of the main components sourced now so looking forward to making a start on it when everything settles down. If the auto box doesn’t fit then I have the conversion kit for the series box so either way I can proceed.

I spoke to Dave and his recommendation was to stick with the Disco 1.2 LT230 and the 3.54 diffs as that’s what the 50th Anniversary 90 has. If it turns out to be a bit sluggish on acceleration then there’s always the option of their 1.301 gear kit or even swap to a Defender 1.4 LT230 (which I threw in the skip a few weeks ago) 🙈

I might have a chat with Ashcrofts about the ratios. It might be easier to uprate the LT230 with the 2WD mod and the 1.1 gear ratio and keep my 4.7 diffs rather than change to 3.54 diffs.

Ok cheers all. Looks like I need to source some 10 spline diffs then.

Early RRC diffs?

The diffs are off a 95 Disco so will the spline pattern match the Series half shafts?

Looks like I have the auto box, LT230 1.2 and a pair of 3.54 diffs sorted. If the auto box doesn’t work then I’ve just picked up a conversion kit for the Series box. Now I just need a decent SERP engine. Will start a build thread for it👍

As far as I know it’s standard but he’s going to check for me. So if it is then it can be used with 3.54 diffs and a V8 of 3.9 cc and above?

Ok cheers. I’ve been offered a Disco auto box with LT230 transfer box so that was why I was asking about the ‘standard’ ratios. I can get the guy to check the sticker though no worries.

And if say I went with a 4.6 or possibly a 4.0 or 3.9 SERP engine then with the 1.2 LT230 and 3.54 diffs would I even need an overdrive as it should be the same power output and gearing as the original vehicles except for slightly taller tyres?

Is a Disco LT230 1.2 as standard and the Defender 1.4?

Probably a 7.50 or 235 By the way, remember that thread about the 6 cylinder SWB I had going that migrated into the SWB V8 auto discussion.....? Circumstances have now changed so I’m back there again but I’ll start a proper build thread for this and explain the background. The conversion of the 110 to V8 is now shelved as that will be sold as is but the info gained will find its way into the Series build.

Good write up👍 What would be the best ratio with for instance a 4.6 V8 and either the 4:7 or 3:5 diffs? Focus mainly on road driving and motorways but with the hills of Wales to deal with too? Is this a similar kit by Syncrogearboxes? No useless FWH... https://www.onlinegearboxparts.com/product/lt230-differential-spool/

So just doing the centre diff mod to the LT230 will give selectable 2/4WD? https://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/miscellaneous/part-time-4wd-kits/90/110-lt230-part-time-kit.html

John can you just expand on this please? Are you referring to the fitting of the Series transfer box to the LT77 or the modification to the existing centre diff that allows selectable 2/4WD? If the latter then does the LT77 transfer lever still shift between high and low ratio but instead of locking the diff it just selects 2/4WD instead? If the centre diff mod does this then why would you choose to do the series transfer box mod instead as it seems like more work and expense to arrive at the same result?

Cheers, that’s just reminded me that it was the speedo head and not the drive which we used to change. Im pretty sure it used to bring the speedo reading back to within the legally acceptable tolerances of 10%.

Brilliant, thanks 👍 Back in the day I remember fitting RRC diffs to a V8 but to be honest back then I didn’t pay too much attention to road manners etc as it was all about the noise 🤷‍♂️😂 But something in my memory seems to think that we overcame the speedo reading issue by fitting the speedo drive gear from a LWB on 7.50s....🤔 Im not even sure if these were any different to the SWB speedo drives on the smaller tyres but it’s what we used to do. Does anyone know if there is actually any difference between them or was it just an old wives tale that I fell for? 🥴

Why the rear diff? Appreciate it’s taking all the load when in 2WD but is there something in particular about it that causes failures? Could HD bearings be fitted to a S3 box to strengthen it?

When using a Series gearbox with the V8 engine what is it that causes the failures we hear about? Is it simply a case of heavy right foot or is there a particular component within the box that is the weak link in the chain even when driven sympathetically?

Thanks for the responses so far. Any thoughts on the power steering pump arrangement? Could I use one off a 2.5 ninety, petrol or diesel or even a TDi given the similarities of the blocks to the 2.25?

That explains it 👍

No I was referring to the MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor connected to the inlet manifold. I thought they were only required for turbo applications 🤔 The TPS is definitely needed.

I thought you only needed a MAP sensor if you wanted to go down the turbo route? I fitted one to my Cosworth Capri with the Emerald K6 ECU but only to future proof it in case I wanted to turbo it.