Lotus 907/Rover V8 head swap

[roverman]

Yes, if you read the "title"-Lexus ! According to "Pete Aardema" ,Lexus 4 valve head is SAME bore spacing. No, it doesn't just bolt on !  Infinity is SAME as sbc(4.4"). He is helping a friend for a waay serious Rover motor for Bonneville,  (any head allowed). I suggested they "peep" us. I think "TA" should step-up, good promotion. I suggest a peep of Pete's webbsite. He does a lot of very impressive, top level engine mod's. He's listed in EB welding thread. 2010, I like it so far ! roverman.

[NixVegaGT]

OK. I'm not following. It does or doesn't have the 4.24" bore spacing? Are you saying he's putting the Lexus head on the Infinity block? There are a few guys putting that Lexus V8 into the first gen Celica. Maybe you could tap those guys.

[roverman]

Lexus head,4.24 B.S. Infiniti head 4.4" B.S.

[NixVegaGT]

OMG!! AWESOME!



The VVT infrastructure can't hurt either. How common are these? Nevermind. I can do my own research. Thanks Art. Very cool.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Those heads will go on a Rover or SBB short block? That's pretty awesome.

Jim

[roverman]

According to Pete Aardema, yes. Their considering for "Bonneville Rover" engine. The Lexus V8's seem to start around $900 complete. I would like to see them run a set of TA heads but it's, their deal. Have'nt heard flow potential on "worked", Toyota head. Unless one can regrind the stock cams for enough lift, looks real pricey.  roverman.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Well then Grasshopper, your next task is to acquire a Lexus head gasket and see how the bolt holes and water passages line up.

Jim

[roverman]

Uhh  Nic... I think he's talkin to you ? I do like the big, "Hooters" on the front.Can I say that heer ?

[NixVegaGT]

I'm already on it. LOL. Now that you mention the "hooters" we could vacuum form something more descriptive for corporate sponsorship... JK.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Now there's a project worth pursuing. In fact, I have a homemade vacuum forming cabinet that I've never tried out. Might be just the thing. Wonder if we could get some heavy plastic sheet in the right color?

Jim

[roverman]

Uh... I hope more than one color ? Whats the worst could happen.. someone ask "how's it runnin", we reply," just look at it, it's runnin ti...s" , nevermind.

[87gn@tahoe]

For the cam bearing journals stiffiner, girdle, whatever yo want to call it:

Why not machine "plugs" in two pieces (one for each side to "sandwich" the cam journal, leaving a hollow in-between for oil flow) with a step to seat them and maybe a receiver groove for an o-ring. A central hole in the plugs which you could run a piece of, say, 1/2" allthread and nuts to cinch down the plugs as well as add a slight preload to add stiffness to the block. Then you wouldn't have any clearence issues with monster cranks either.

Just a thought

[NixVegaGT]

I like the concept. Do you think it's possible to get hands in there to weld the blanks? I suppose you could weld the threaded rod/nut after tightening to lock them in.

[87gn@tahoe]

Weld or use a jam nut to ensure that nothing comes loose.

[v8ian]

Shrinking a ally tube into the journals would 1, seal the oilways, and 2 Stiffen the block, as for big throw crank clearance, I would guess the Pan rails would have to ground to nothing before cam clearance is a probem, But theres no reason the tube could not be substituted for a solid machined bar necked for clearance of crank and also gun drilled for lightness, obviously there would have to be some sort of radial groove uut to supply oil to the mains

[NixVegaGT]

LOL! Sound familiar, Art? Great minds, right? Thanks Ian.

[roverman]

Nic and clan, are we going to be stuck in "endless re-runs"? lol ! But seriously folks, jus read the granite tablets laid out in the-FORUM, for all to see. May the h.p. gods smile upon us.  roverman.

[roverman]

Clan update, Jus' found a local waterjet co. I'm "leanin"deck plates, not neccessarily with "tractor" crank-Nic. roverman.

[NixVegaGT]

How high? 1/2" maybe?

[roverman]

Na' least .75" to fully encompass the "time serts", for head studs. Of course they may be,"counterbored"  to drop over perihpery of deck to accomodate desired deck height. Still on-the-bubble, regarding external studs. roverman.

[mgb260]

Here is a "Tractor" deck plate.

[roverman]

Thanks Jim,. Ya see that Nic ? Are ya strokin to the beat of,"Farmer-in-the del"-Yet. That sukka def look to be wantin a "tractor-like" 3.85"= stroke !  Where is all of this goin ?? We seem to be a semi- cohesive group of mad scientist, bent on both destroying and saving the Rover/sbb and"maybe", even the Caddy, from "Dr Evil of Boring "?? When "Luke" was told to "feel-the-force", I don't think it was, Exlax ? Let's just go with the flow, in a good way. roverman.

[pcmenten]

Wow, thanks Jim. With that picture it suddenly it makes sense. Curious, in the Rover application, would the deck plate be aluminum? And as Art alludes to, that would/could raise the deck height, enabling the 3.85" stroker. Basically, an aluminum Buick 300.

[mgb260]

If I was doing it, I would use 3/8" steel to stiffen the block, along with a girdle on the bottom.Or the thick aluminum like Paul said for a 300 height with 350 crank stroker.

[roverman]

Clan, My first choice for block, heads, deck plates and liners is always alum. I like similar thermal growth rates when possible. Next comes the "tractor sleeve", then I'll tork-it  from there, oops,take-it.roverman.