Help posted it in Tech section as well just looking to cover

[markieboy]

I am hoping that someone will be able to shed a little light in plain English (ie I am a mechanical Numptey!) on the following

SD1 V8s Was it only the Vitesse that was fuel injected?
Did it only have one Plenum chamber
My engine number starts off with a 39a and someone has suggested that its a factory recon lump. Should this cause me concern, engine will be stripped back a little but it has been worked on prior to my purchase but to what extent I dont know yet.
I have indentified my rocker cover arms as being Group A/ Volvo??
Again whats the difference.
The engine is supposed to be 5.2 so I am taking the heads off today maybe to measure the volume. It appears that the crank is standard so I am doubtfull that 5.2 is correct. Any other things to look out for whilst im down there?
Also carbs, Im thinking of using carbs as opposed to the original fuel injection system. Will i need to change anything internally to suit, and what would you recommend for manifold options and carbs for ease of use, setup and reliability?
Many thanks for any help that you may be able to give me, I bought it to learn and I am learning fast!!!!
Thanks
Mark

[russell_ram]

Mark,

'SD1 V8s Was it only the Vitesse that was fuel injected?'

No, all late SD1s were fuel injected. All post 'vitesse' base engines are the same, all the mods done for the vitesse engine were made common - block stiffness, head mods, valve stems etc.

'Did it only have one Plenum chamber'

All injected engines have ONE plenum chamber (the big aluminium casting on top of the manifold). The difference between a 'twin' and 'single' plenum engine is that there are two entrances/throttle butterflys on a 'twin' plenum motor.

'My engine number starts off with a 39a and someone has suggested that its a factory recon lump. Should this cause me concern'

No, in fact this is a bonus because factory engines are not 'recon'. 'Service fit' engines are brand new replacements (eg for warranty etc). YThis means it is newer than the car it came out of.

'I have indentified my rocker cover arms as being Group A/ Volvo??'

GPa/Volvo rockers are originally from a Volvo 240? and are steel with adjusting screw (which will be welded fixed if there really are from a GPA engine because they needed to be non-ajustable to get round the touring car rules). Standard rover rockers are aluminium castings, although you can also get them dimensionally the same but cast in iron. GPA also have steel rocker shaft pillars in place of the 'waisted' aluminium castings of the standard engine.

'The engine is supposed to be 5.2 so I am taking the heads off today maybe to measure the volume'

This will not help you. Measuring the volume of the combustion chamber and piston bowl volume will allow you to work out compression ratio once you know what the engine capacity actually is.

The crank may look standard but could be offset ground, which will be difficult to see installed in the engine. Accurately measure the ammount the pistons go up and down the bore (if you're not taking the crank out) and measure the bore - then you can calculate the capacity.

Carbs are easier to mess with than an old RV8 flapper injection system. You could replace the Air Flow Meter with a later hot wire one and use a programmable aftermarket ECU to run it all. This will give you better part load responses/drivability and fuel comsumption but NO extra power than a well set-up carb. If it is a 5.2 then you will need a 465cfm Holley or 500 weber/edelbrock, if its smaller then a 390 holley is plenty. Edelbrock easier to set up initially bt Holley has better ultimate performance potential. BEST manifold for power is Wildcat Spider but torque at low revs is compromised and it's a tall manifold. Second best in my opinion is edlebrock performer. I wouldn't fit anything else personnally.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Russ

[maxGD059]

Hi Mark
I ended up with a vitesse block. As far as I know, they are better for boring out than the standard ones as they have extra butressing to strengthen them. Mine is bored out to just a tad over 4L.
With regard to carby/manifold, this has been done to death on the forum but if you have limited funds then stick with the standard SU set-up which can take upto 230bhp. If funds allow (£500 approx) then Edelbrock carb/manifold are best for the road, Holley/Offenhauser
best for ultimate power, but a tad more difficult to set up to get the max.
Hope this helps

Cheers

Richard
(Hillclimb convert)

[maxGD059]

Crikey you type quickly Russ - nice to see we agree!!

Cheers

Richard
(Hillclimb convert)

[markieboy]

Thank you for your prompt and numpty proof reply!! I appreciate that.
The rocker arms have a slight drop of weld on them at teh top so yes un adjustable!
Back to mathematics in the garage me thinks!!!
Out with the ruler! Ooher mrs
Once again thanks I will go look and learn.
Cheers
m

[markieboy]

Richard,
Thank you for your response as well.
I do like this forum as its easier to ask questions that maybe be stupid ones without losing too much face! After all we are all better at somethings than others, mechanics and computers ooh my word !!!
I am looking to fit an after market carb but it needs to be low slung as its going into a Dax, so best tell my granny what I want for xmas!
Thanks again
mark

[maxGD059]

Dont blame you for going for an aftermarket jobbie Mark. Good as they were, I got fed up with my SU's rattling up against the bonnet despite all their advantages. I now have an Edelbrock 500/performer set-up & have never looked back

Cheers

Richard
(Hillclimb convert):tu

[russell_ram]

Richard,

not on the Offenhauser split port manifold though, I think the're cr*p!! Use a Edelbock with Holley.

Russ

[markieboy]

Sometimes you just have to accept that money must be spent. Due to being a novice I realy want this car to work and have the best opportunity to get it right first time. Cutting corners costs money I tend to find and normally you do not achieve as good a result.
So best I phone mr rpi etc when I determine volume of engine.
If it is standard bore etc then upgrade may also be reqd!
No stopping me now!!!
Dear Santa can i have a nitro kit pleeese!
Cheers again

[osgood]

Contrary Mary

Better change mine then Russ :7 Eric,