4.0 Litre v8

[MARSHO]

Hope someone can explain this, I have a 4 litre rover v8 engine.All the info I have says that they have 2 rows of head bolts,but mine has 3.The head gaskets I have only has 2 rows,can these fit?,hope someone knows ,or can give me some explanation, thanks

[GreenV8S]

I would get advice from a V8 specialist, but I gather that the outer row of bolts distort the head and are best left out, are these the ones that are missing from the gasket? Either way I would have expected the replacement gasket to be an exact match for the existing one, there seem to be several versions of the gasket which are not interchangeable so it is important to be sure you have the correct one for your engine.

[stevieturbo]

The old rover V8's used 3 rows. The later engines disregard the outer row, as it is believed they caused uneven clamping.

This can be done on any Rover V8 variant without worry.

[Boosted Ls1]

Sounds like your engine could be the later serpentine engine. Look for a row of 'cross bolts' just above the sump line. Rovers don't need the row of bolts above the exhaust manifolds anymore

[stesrg]

MARSHO said:

Hope someone can explain this, I have a 4 litre rover v8 engine.All the info I have says that they have 2 rows of head bolts,but mine has 3.The head gaskets I have only has 2 rows,can these fit?,hope someone knows ,or can give me some explanation, thanks

Your engine is of an older design this gasket is ok, it should be a composit one and you should replace the old bolts with new ones these are called stretch bolts around 90 pence each these can be obtained from tvr power however you will be short of the 4 bolts on each head, these are not used anymore, torque setting is as follows sequence as in manual but 18 footlb yes 18 tourque plus 180 degre turn you will feel the bolts stretch.
feel free to email me for more info.
Steve........

[MARSHO]

Thanks for the replys I can now carry on with the rebuild.

[gsx600]

My 1989 4.0l had exactly the same set up, with all 3 rows of bolts there but only a 2 hole gasket.

My new one 1992 4.5l still has 3 rows but with a 3 row composite gasket, so currently replacing with all 3 rows of bolts set to the Haynes tork for all of them

I have seen somewhere that you can use 2 rows and set to the required torq + 180 deg turn, (using stretch bolts ?) then fit outer row to a low torq setting.

But not sure which is the best method

Also what is best for the inlet manifold tin or composite ?

[stevieturbo]

If it was me, I'd use the black composite inlet manifold gasket

[stesrg]

gsx600 said:

My 1989 4.0l had exactly the same set up, with all 3 rows of bolts there but only a 2 hole gasket. My new one 1992 4.5l still has 3 rows but with a 3 row composite gasket, so currently replacing with all 3 rows of bolts set to the Haynes tork for all of them I have seen somewhere that you can use 2 rows and set to the required torq + 180 deg turn, (using stretch bolts ?) then fit outer row to a low torq setting. But not sure which is the best method ?

Composite for inlet and forget the 3rd row you would have to butcher the gasket if its a 2 row one to get the third 4 bolts in.
Steve........

Also what is best for the inlet manifold tin or composite


>> Edited by stesrg on Tuesday 21st September 20:21