Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 at 12:47
I have more faith in the Rover V8 than any ToyNissan motor.
Having had my '79 Rangie for the last 17 years, I got it with 148000k's on the clock.
It's passed the 500000 k's milestone some years back!
For about two years, I drove it running very hot, as any attempt to figure out why it ran hot, just came to the conclusion that it maybe just a faulty temp gauge.
There never seemed to be a problem running at those temps.
Finally figured it was the radiator was rotted internally, but the car ran near the red for 2 years!!
You would guess that after 1/2 million k's the motor requires a freshen up!! :)
It's last big trip was to
Melbourne to
Darwin via LakeEyre,
Chambers Pillar, Kings Canyon, bloody-just-about-everywhere!!!
Dropped more oil than I would normally like.
A rag was required on every stop to minimize an environmental catastrophe.
I topped the vehicle up with 8 litres of oil over the 12000klms!
But as you would expect after so many klms.
I used it for my courier work for about 6 months till I ended up with my Rodeo.
It's only ever big problem!!!
was the centre diff died/exploded/locked up, and my mechanic fixed cheaply...maybe too cheaply?? as 'a' transfer case 'pin' then proceeded to break, causing the transfer to jump out of high ratio!
All this and the horrendous fuel consumption from the 4 speed were totally overhauled with the fitment of a 5 speed!
Fuel went from 5km/l to about 7km/l on a highway run (90-100kmh)
noise dropped, off road ability was marginally improved...........etc.
Car still goes, though a less worn V8 would be nice.......
maybe one of those V8's sitting in the wrecks in my yard may do the trick!
(can't be bothered yet!)
On another note....
I have a thing for the rover V8!!!! (because of their incredible reliability)
To date I've had experience with about 12 vehicles with Rover V8 propulsion.
My combined kilometer experience of my Rover V8-ing must be around 1-1.5 million k's.
Only 1 has ever broken on me!
An early '74 P6B. bottom end broke, locked the motor and that was that!
Onef my 3500SE/VDP had develped a cooling problem.
Rusted welsh plug caused it to lose all its coolant, but I pressed on for 30 minutes to get
home (at a vastly reduced speed!)
Got me
home in a cloud of smoke, steam and noise, but after the welsh plug was replaced the next morning, with coolant levels at normal, the car fired up first go, without any problems....long live the Rover V8!!
Another had a leaking water pump....same problem same solution(this time with much more "confidence in getting me home" :))
Don't let anyone try to tell you the Rover V8 is unreliable!!!
(otherwise I'll come over.... :)
Never had an airbag RR, but I'm told they cause problems, and after seeing one driven on the Clalder FWY a while back, 'on the bump stops' I have my doubts too!!!
The only problem with RangeRovers off road is the "air of unstoppability" they inspire!
Caught me out on two occasions!
They don't REALLY go anywhere, just 'a little bit further than the Japs'.
Only real weak point is any Lucas electrical item!
Change the dizzy and alternator to Bosch equivalents, and you won't have any problems!
Only 1 of my 12 V8's hadn't given Alternator or Dizzy(ignition) problems :(
(but I have a bosch dizzy and alternator on my RR and 1 spare dizzy for any other V8 that comes my way!)
Parts pricing is a major sore point, but look for alternative suppliers (small indepedents etc...)
My '79 is soon be permanantly retired for a later model(4 door for the kids!)
I have no doubt as to the long term ability of a Rangie.
Just learn everything you can about vehicle electrics!! ;-)
if I could afford the fuel I would dump my Rodeo in an instant to go back to my V8's!!!
cheers.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: lestraw - Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 at 14:49
Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 at 14:49
Mate, thanks for the info - as l don't do a lot of k's and have always wanted a V8 l'm going to get one. Just torn between an 87 Classic thats had everything done on it or a 94 HSE. May have to flip a coin. Thanks again
FollowupID:
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