What Rover engine do I have

skootch13 · August 10, 2020, 08:54:48 AM

Hello,

I am asking about a new to me MGB with a Rover V8. i do not know what block/engine the car has. My understanding is yo ucan tell by the serial number on the side. However, I am not finding mine in the list of engines on the Rimmer webpage.

Here are two pictures and what i think the serial number is 568D00351A

I am told the short block was purchased new and is a 4.0. I just want to know what I have in case I need to upgrade/fix anything.

Any help is appreciated

MGBV8 · August 10, 2020, 12:17:47 PM

No pics, Aaron.

skootch13 · August 10, 2020, 03:30:21 PM

Ah, 600 KB size limit.

i did some research and found other ways to determine the block.

10 bolt cylinder head and cross bolt main caps are for 4.0.

Seems that there was a 3.9 service engine for the military that sure as heck seems like it was renamed and became became the 4.0.

Story is that this block was purchased new as a short block. maybe this is how Rover numbers short blocks. Maybe it's a service 3.9.......

donkelly23 · August 11, 2020, 08:08:43 AM

Pretty sure I know where that block came from
2012-06-29 16 36 20.JPG

skootch13 · August 11, 2020, 09:35:39 AM

Cool!

So where/what is it from?

donkelly23 · August 11, 2020, 01:47:56 PM

Probably Woody

Moderator · August 11, 2020, 01:50:38 PM

It appears your cylinder heads are older than your engine block...

This thread contains some useful information about differences in Rover heads: http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?6,5991

donkelly23 · August 11, 2020, 02:05:25 PM

Those blocks he bought a bunch of. They were "Brand New" 4.0
My guess is they were blems or refurbs that sat around and eventually they got rid of.
I , according to Woody, got the last one

skootch13 · August 12, 2020, 07:56:40 AM

Ok.

I'm not sure about the Woody part. I don't know who that is. But your story about new 4.0 blocks matches to what i was told.

skootch13 · August 12, 2020, 07:57:24 AM

Curtis, how can you tell the heads are older than the block? And what does that mean if anything?

MGBV8 · August 12, 2020, 10:12:51 AM

The heads look to be the older 14 head bolt variety vs the 10 bolt that would have come on the 4.0 & 4.6. The 10 bolt heads are better.

https://www.v8forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=133

The 568D appeas to be S68D. Not sure what that means.

skootch13 · August 12, 2020, 11:26:02 AM

Carl,

I was wondering about those plugs in the head. Where is the casting number on the heads?

From that web site you linked to.The last sentence makes mention of the plugs. Maybe the head was milled for the thicker gasket?

Early 90's. Here comes the confusing time period. It seems sure that all V8s now had vitesse valves, as after 1993 Efi became standard. In 93 or just before, the valve guides changed to the modern cap type (blue), one for each valve, all V8s took on this feature yet the casting remained as per vitesse. 4.2 Litre motors however also had factory standard vitesse heads, but during production Rover switched to composite gaskets, whilst retaining vitesse heads. The heads were machined to bring back the required compression, the same thing happened to the then current 3.9; you may also see some 4.2s with only 10 head bolts, the outer 4 holes through the head being plugged, these are the composite gasket units.
Casting Numbers: HRC 2210
----------------------------------------

donkelly23 · August 12, 2020, 03:32:40 PM

Does he have TR8 heads?

MGBV8 · August 12, 2020, 03:57:21 PM

The head casting number is under the valve cover, in the middle. Can't miss it.

The plugs mentioned were just to plug the lower 4 head bolt holes. My 215 has the bolts, but I did not torque them.

Your heads may have been shaved. With a used engine it is difficult to know exactly what was done. Maybe Woody has a record of it.

Woody Cooper & The Wedge Shop:

https://www.thewedgeshop.com/