er...its a rover V8, i.e. 8 cylinders [well, 5 1/2 three weeks ago, back up to 8 now]

Quote from: El Jackoer...its a rover V8, i.e. 8 cylinders [well, 5 1/2 three weeks ago, back up to 8 now]

this http://www.autorevue.cz/Obrazky/2006/03brezen/volvop1800/P1800motor.jpg

ok V8 and it is the aluminum block ? har to find other with that low weight unless a modern 6 cyl diesel ?

Wed rather stick to this beast. The block is light enough to be lifted out of the boat by 2 blokes, and it still gives in excess of 150bhp at 5500revs

I guess the old adage "if it aint broke dont fix it" applies here

altho it was broke........so u did fix it.....maybe that doesnt apply then :/

Well, it wasnt entirely broke, so we roughly followed the old rule.

Right then. My uncle, who sourced the new heads, has today fitted them to the engine, put it back together and hey presto - ignition! After 17 years of punishment the old girl still runs. So a happy ending ensues.

Quote from: El Jackoer...its a rover V8, i.e. 8 cylinders [well, 5 1/2 three weeks ago, back up to 8 now]

Strictly speaking, its a Buick V8 that rover bought the rights to.

And it came from a Rover P6 [also known as the Rover 3500]

For all the comments of "Buy a more modern engine" most modern engines dont take the same level of punishment that those old V8s can. Ive seen them used in loads of boats over the years purely because they are such old tech that not much can go wrong.  Perkins used to take the V8 block and build marine engines round it even.  They are old, clunk and near impossible to kill.

This one was a semi racing engine from a company that specialised in tuning engine for racing. For the £2000 it cost originally weve gotton a lot out of it. It could pull 3 skiers from a deep start when it was new.

Quote from: BeakerFor all the comments of "Buy a more modern engine" most modern engines dont take the same level of punishment that those old V8s can. Ive seen them used in loads of boats over the years purely because they are such old tech that not much can go wrong.  Perkins used to take the V8 block and build marine engines round it even.  They are old, clunk and near impossible to kill.

A modern 1.0 litre japanese engine would run flat out for maybe 10 times longer.

Quote from: MarkA modern 1.0 litre japanese engine would run flat out for maybe 10 times longer.

Provided you actually maintained it 100% correctly, and didnt let it get into hostile conditions like the V8 has had.  Ive spent loads of time around marine engines over the years, they where my introduction to mechanics to be fair.  The older V8s and the like are loved because they are lazy revving, and they take way more punishment than the more modern small engines.  

Quote from: MarkA modern 1.0 litre japanese engine would run flat out for maybe 10 times longer.

A modern 1 litre jap engine wouldnt give 200ft/lbs of torque

Anyone who has been watching Top Gear recently would know how much engines have improved over the last decade. A more modern lump would provlde more power and be more economic to run.

Obiously the older one would have less problems with reliability, which is why older cars have longer warranties and didnt keep breaking down

Quote from: SeriousAnyone who has been watching Top Gear recently would know how much engines have improved over the last decade. A more modern lump would provlde more power and be more economic to run.

Obiously the older one would have less problems with reliability, which is why older cars have longer warranties and didnt keep breaking down

Difference is that those V8 lumps can pretty much have the pistons slapping around the bore, and they still fire.  One of the favs in boat yards with older boats was the old Rover 2.5D.  They stink, they are noisy, but they keep on running no matter what you do.  On the other hand more modern engines are made with far more precision, but as a result they require far more looking after and maintenance.