DJPG Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Morning all, I’ve just bought a Series 1 107SW with a Rover V8 engine mated to the series 1 gearbox. It has an overdrive and free wheeling hubs but I don’t think this set up is recommended as it’s running two to three times more powerfully than the original spec. This will be my daily car so reliability is key. I don’t know whether to get a short R380, an adaptor kit from Ashcroft so that it can be mated to the original transfer meaning I can keep the lever set up as is, and keep the V8; more than adequate at keeping up with modern traffic. OR To replace the V8 with a 2.25 to make it more similar to the intended set up (the original 2ltr is too asthmatic) and obviously retain the current gearbox. OR Save the pennies and run it as is. I have heard that if you drive carefully the Series box can hold up? I have a IIA with its original crash box connected to a 200TDI and I haven’t had any issues in 2 years - although this isn’t as powerful as the V8 and I think the 2a box is supposed to be pretty hardy. Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Firstly we'll done for a great buy. Secondly I've been running my SWB S1 V8 for 40 yrs! I broke the layshaft once only and my friend who has had his SWB one longer than me broke once. I've hammered my friends one with the same set up as yours around France on holiday (80 mph in convoy) from St Malo to mid France then back to Normandy at more normal speeds then home to UK with no issues at all. Some years ago a yuppy was in the papers as he ran a S1 LWB V8 in "The Beaujolais Run®". Some times it's just a frame of mind that holds you back. Thirdly IIRC the Tdi has more torque in more destructive pulses than the V8. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Don't mess with it, a V8 is a good engine in any LR, and has been connected up to series boxes since the V8 arrived in the RRC, so a very well trodden path. Will it break the gearbox? Not catastrophically, but anything with more power/torque will wear things faster, with sympathy it will last longer than a gearbox with a 2.0 in it and no sympathy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 The other thing is how the torque is delivered.... the v8 delivers it in a softer manner than say a 200tdi with 4 big torque spikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 I'd echo the above comments - a stock 3.5 on carbs is not a fire-breathing monster and should tick along happily forever, and if you don't drive like a loon you won't break stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Welcome to the forum Some pic's of this lovely Series one would be nice . If you decide to keep the V8 in , a set of Ashcroft high ratio transfer gears might help to make it more V8 compatible - if they are available for your age transfer box . A 2 1/4 or 2.5 petrol would work ok and maybe give you a few more mpg , but a well set up 3.5 carb driven sympathetically will be ok and who doesn't love the lazy burble from the engine ? Nice buy , do enjoy it Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJPG Posted June 17, 2021 Author Share Posted June 17, 2021 Thanks for all the info, I think i’ll see how I get on as is and if anything shatters beyond easy repair I’ll reevaluate! Also, where’s a good place for Series 1 parts other than Craddocks and eBay? Could do with a pin bracket for the rear door and ideally a door skin for one of the 2nd row doors. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Very nice , it looks to have a series 2 or later rear axle so probably the front too and 1 ton rims . From the reg plate are you over the pond ? Joining the Series 1 club might help with your parts questions . It looks in very good condition overall Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJPG Posted June 17, 2021 Author Share Posted June 17, 2021 Joining the S1 club might be a good idea, I’ll have a look into it. It’s solid enough, couple of dents here and there and slightly faded on the paint but if it were any nicer the dogs would only ruin it anyway! No I’m Nottingham. It’s UK registered but the plates are foreign in style. It was originally a UNICEF vehicle in Africa and then sent to Australia before being imported back over here in 2018. Hence why the chassis and bulkhead are so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Ah ok , it was the plates that threw me . Good history to have and great for no rust too . Lovely 107sw , very fortunate buy . Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 That’s beautiful!! The 107SW are really rather rare - so for that reason too I’d leave it as it is ! The 107SW has certain parts on it that are unique to that model and should be cherished! Particularly interior parts I think. There are a couple of good S1 groups on Facebook if you use it: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1023712700977745/?ref=group_browse https://m.facebook.com/groups/368498789883998/?ref=group_browse The club is called LRSOC - if you pop that in a search you’ll find them. They are a good resource for history, they have a magazine which seems popular, and they sell some remanufactured rare parts. For parts Craddocks seem to be a nightmare - showing things in stock that aren’t is such a common story. For NOS we’ve lost Dunsfold sadly - PA Blanchard is still around, they’re not cheap but they have top quality bits and hot everything is expensive. Dingo Croft are good too I think. I think the 107SW was the first LR to be offered with fully floating rear half shafts ..? Beautiful vehicle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Unfortunately, the best source of parts just closed their doors - Dunsfold. Does anyone remember who bought most of their stock? As for the engine and transmission, I’d leave it as is for now and drive with sympathy. A petrol has less impulse on the transmission than diesel, and a V8 markedly less so than a 4-pot, so the shock loading on the transmission will be less than a Tdi, even though it has higher peak torque and power. Feed the clutch and accelerator in rather than treating the pedals like binary switches and you shouldn’t have much trouble. If you do, I’d suggest a simple rebuild of the box first time, and if it goes again, then a late SIII box (suffix D or later) has a one piece lay shaft which is much stronger than the SI and SII unit, but has matching exterior dimensions and most visible details - it’ll even take the SI stick. It’ll retain the character of the vehicle, but give considerably better strength and synchros on 1st and 2nd as a freebie. The only complication would be the clutch - you could either keep the SI bell housing and try to retain all the existing clutch, or you could change to the much better, more reliable SIII clutch but face the mild problem of making clearance for the slave cylinder. I think you may need to trim a chassis gusset. I don’t know if there is any problem with the position of the V8 starter motor regarding the SIII slave cylinder - I haven’t heard of it being an issue, but Fridge and others will be able to tell you that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 I’ve seen S3 boxes rebuilt with the mechanical clutch set up. It worked well. I’ve driven my 80” with a 200tdi and the original S1 gearbox. The gearbox was tired and I’d forgotten that it jumped out of gear … so I’ve gone back and separately put together a rebuilt S2a gearbox and am in the process of swapping that over now. I’ll keep the original gearbox in storage - so it can stay with the car, and I went for a 2a box because I like having no synchro on 1st and 2nd. You could take a similar approach with your 107. Gradually put together another series box and then when you are ready - of if you have problems with the S1 box - swap them over. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 I have had a spare S1 gearbox for the 40 years I've had mine and never used it. With a RRC flywheel in it (keeps revs up so not ideal for high speed changes) it was driven very aggressively when younger, drifting, overtaking and racing off the lights. Still no issues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 5 hours ago, Snagger said: Unfortunately, the best source of parts just closed their doors - Dunsfold. Does anyone remember who bought most of their stock? They're still selling off stuff, but in bulk lots at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 by closed bids ....just about the hardest way to buy auction lots Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Yes … I am / was hoping the series 1 club would buy all their relevant stock. You would think both of them would be invested in that as it will protect the maintenance of those vehicles …. I’ve not heard of anything like that though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Blanchards have closed/retired to IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, western said: Blanchards have closed/retired to IIRC. Not yet !! But soon I’m buying stuff from them left right and centre before they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Worrying times, soon only blue box products will be left! So many great parts suppliers/shops have disappeared or gone over to the blue side over the decades as NoS becomes harder to source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 That’s true - though the flip side is that the Internet is continuing to open up access to other people. I was having problems finding a Series 2A intermediate gear for a suffix B box …. No UK seller had …..one but I ended up finding one in Germany. So my hope is that we end up better able to help each other, over a bigger area, directly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 5 hours ago, missingsid said: Worrying times, soon only blue box products will be left! So many great parts suppliers/shops have disappeared or gone over to the blue side over the decades as NoS becomes harder to source. True, but equally all these NOS parts have a finite quantity. They’re going to run out at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 3 hours ago, landroversforever said: True, but equally all these NOS parts have a finite quantity. They’re going to run out at some point. That was my point. Having had my LR for 40 yrs I have been used to getting parts easily until now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norseman Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Nice buy, shame it's not original but the power swap will obviously make the car more usable as a daily. Any idea where the V8 originated from, it's a later unit with a 2 or 4 barrel carb & that sticker (that I can't quite read) on the left valve cover could indicate a specialist build ? Enjoy 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Sticker says JRv8.co.uk: https://www.jrv8.co.uk/ Must have been a relatively recent thing, i.e. not pre-1995. I'm not saying they are expensive, but have you seen the prices.... https://www.jrv8.co.uk/engines In fact, there is your engine: Northern Irish company, was it over there at some point as well? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.