V8 into shorty. Aaaaarrrrgh. :)

[Slunnie]

Bloody hell what a shoe horn! I've stripped my IIa shorty to a chassis and axle and have just test fitted a V8 + LT95. Bloody hell these things are long, a hell of a lot longer than what came out of it. Its looking like the cross members underneath are history and it only just squeezes between the middle cross-member by having the handbrake underneath it! and the fan hopefully will just clear the steering relay doobie. The front propshaft will no doubt be from a D130 and the rear from a matchbox car. Oh well, looks like the rear axle will have to pushed back sooner rather than later.

These things were meant to be simple.

[ISUZUROVER]

The front propshaft will no doubt be from a D130

The 130 front prop is the same length as the 110 and the 90 front prop.

Yes, they are a long box, lucky you don't still have the salisbury under there. You can get a much shorter bellhousing for the LT95 (101 Forward control) but they are very rare in OZ.

[F'n_Rover]

have you thought about moving the radiator forward to where the grill is now, move the front crossmember forward as well. should give about an extra 12' i think. no mods to the bonnet and still looks like a series front.
no steering relay though - power steering an option ???

["CANADA"]

i was looking at the pics on your site....im just starting to gather my gear to put a 308 in my 11a....cant wait...


did the 11a's ever come out with the grill flush with the wings?

[Slunnie]

I reckon it'll be the rear 130 tailshaft going into the front of this thing, its that distant. It'll be interesting to take some measurements when the engine is in to see how long this thing will need to be. I've got a high pinion diff for the front thinking it all may be a problem, but I'll need one for the rear. Seriously though, I'll have to push the rear back another 12" or so. It's be good to bring it out to 100" anyway.

I had a look at moving eveything forward. I think to do this is a possibility and then just run a series 3 bonnet which is longer. The engine wont go any further forward though because the fan will run into the steering relay. The other option is to do as GURU has done and change the steering over to a LC60 unit which is then outboard of the chassis. If I went to this effort though I'd rather put the radiator into that hole and keep the factory looking front end with the recessed grill. Thats what I'm hoping for but will find out tomorrow after a bit of cutting, grinding and welding.

The IIa's I think only came out with the recessed grills. I'm pretty sure it was only the Series 3 + that had them moved forward along with the front Xmember. I think the current Defenders are now protruding forward of the guards.

[ISUZUROVER]

Only the SIII Stage 1 had the grill flush with the guards like a defender. A standard SIII bonnet is the same as a IIA one.

[Slunnie]

Ah.

[ISUZUROVER]

But if you want to move the grill forward, all you need to do is lengthen the hinges and add a section to the back of the bonnet. It looks OK if done properly.

[F'n_Rover]

would it be possible to tilt the whole drivetrain down. ie lower the case mounts and raise the engine? should help with the rear prop angle.
front prop should be fine considering the length.

[GURU]

my front shaft in the project is just abit shorter that a Series III LWB shaft (sal's diff). rear is a RR front, slightly shorter. mine is 102" long....you will love it at 100" then 88.

Have alook at the pics of my rig when it was a chassis and I was making the driveline fit. My setup is as long (if not longer) than the V8 and LT95

["CANADA"]

then why does my 72 have a flush grill

it adds alot of room to move the radiator farward tho

[Slunnie]

I like the grill idea. I'll try to drop the gearbox down and make it fit that way first. It should be ok. Thanks Guru re the tailshaft sizes. Hopefully the LWB rear will work up front with the smaller diffs.

["CANADA"]

ill get pics soon..theres is tons of room for a 3core rad in there tho...w00t my shortie has a body kit

[Slunnie]

How did you do the body lift? That would have been an effort!

Guru, did you keep buildup pics of the project?

["CANADA"]

not a lift...it was like this when i got it but with the grill flush with the wings and lights in the wings...it looks like a 111 s1 front...but its not

[GURU]

I have them on my PC.

I can send some to you if you like

[Slunnie]

Guru, that would be awsome. Thanks for this. PM sent.

[Slunnie]

Just out of interest, it seems a rear Disco propshaft suits this setup (V8/LT95/Hilux axles) as a front propshaft.

Also out of interest, I've just picked up LC60 axles to replace the Hiluxs, and the perch positions are also perfect to bolt into the front of the IIa. The rear is to be coiled with Rover A frame and Slunnie lowers.

[lexi]

Slunnie
The ser 11 and 11a have the most distinctive and classic front end of ANY Rover. Lose that front end and you lose your series 11.
Alex

[Slunnie]

Its still got the original IIa front end. The motors been pushed back a long way to make sure the panels stay as is...... at the expense of the firewall mind you. It's also meant the IIa steering has to go, being replaced by LC60 power steering so the V8's radiator will fit.

[lexi]

Lovely mate! Well done.

Alex

["CANADA"]

Its still got the original IIa front end. The motors been pushed back a long way to make sure the panels stay as is...... at the expense of the firewall mind you. It's also meant the IIa steering has to go, being replaced by LC60 power steering so the V8's radiator will fit.

what happend to the groundhogs

[GURU]

nice work indeed...60 series diffs are a very good idea and the steering box will work well, did that on mine.

[Slunnie]

Mad Landie, I've still got the Ground Hawgs, it's just easier to work on it with the 31's. Now I'm back from hol's it'll get a bit more surgery.

Thanks Guru, I thought that I'd chase a bit more strength and width out of it. Helps with the care free factor.