Series 2a 109 V8 conversion.

[Edtopp20]

Hi all,

I have recently acquired a 2a 109 station wagon which I am currently in the process of restoring. I will be rebuilding it from the ground up with a new galvanised chassis and so on. I am planning on fitting a 3.5 rover v8 I know that you need a modified bulkhead and adapter parts to mount to the chassis and gear box but I still have a few questions which I can’t find answers for. 

The engine I am currently looking at has a flywheel attached and I was wondering wether if it was in good condition could it be modified to take a series pressure plate and clutch? Also I know that it will need an electronic fuel pump but what sort of pressure would work as the engine I’m looking at is a fuel injection rather than carburettors. 

Any suggestions or tips and pointers would be welcome.

Thanks.

[FridgeFreezer]

Welcome - good to have another 109 about the place

You'll need modified engine mounts too, so check that before ordering the chassis. I'd see what adapter kit you can find before getting too far with anything else. What engine are you pulling out?

I believe most conversions just re-drill the flywheel to fit a Series clutch. You need to check if it's a Range Rover or SD1 flywheel, I assume Range Rover (much thicker) but if not you need (more) custom parts. The crank spigot bush may need tweaking too as well as the end of the crank.

For an EFI lump you can either run a Range Rover EFI in-tank pump if your tank will accommodate it, or you'll need a lift pump AND a pressure pump, the high-pressure EFI pumps don't like having to draw fuel up from a tank. The regulator on the fuel rail sets the pressure - you'll need a return line to the fuel tank too, and high-pressure fuel pipes.

There's loads of wrinkles to a conversion like this - I'd use the search button to look back through the Series section as it's been covered numerous times in great detail - check the technical archive section too, plus there's at least a few V8 Series in the members vehicles section when you've got enough posts to access it.

[Bigj66]

As above and...you might also be better off looking at a 3.9 serpentine engine rather than an older 3.5 flapper or, if you’re really feeling adventurous then a 4.0 or 4.6 Gems but that’s a lot more torque to be putting through a standard drive train. 
 

It can be done but needs doing properly to get the results you’re looking for.