Serp Introduction

[Rossco2010]

Hi,

I’m trying to track down a 3.9 pre-serp engine to go into an MGB; is there a definitive tipping point in Land Rovers / Range Rovers when they were changed over?

Any advice welcome.

Cheers

[Deranged Rover]

Search Engine Results Page?

[300bhp/ton]

1996 give or take.

[miniman]

Deranged Rover said:

Search Engine Results Page?

Serpentine drive belt.

[300bhp/ton]

Rossco2010 said:

Hi,

I’m trying to track down a 3.9 pre-serp engine to go into an MGB; is there a definitive tipping point in Land Rovers / Range Rovers when they were changed over?

Any advice welcome.

Cheers

BTW suspect a serp would fit. You'd need to relocate the alternator. I used the bracket and belt as fitted to a Morgan Plus 8.

[Rossco2010]

Thanks for that; I’ll keep looking pre ‘96.

Don’t think a Serp fits; there’s very little clearance on the crank pulley on any engine; so unless you can find a cranked MGB RV8 front anti-roll bar (rocking horse st) you need to change all the pulley back to a much older (thinner) spec.

[300bhp/ton]

Didn’t think of that. Mine went into a TR7.

[Rossco2010]

300bhp/ton said:

Didn’t think of that. Mine went into a TR7.

Neither did I; luckily the bloke who wrote ‘Give Your MGB v8 Power’ did!

[Deranged Rover]

300bhp/ton said:

1996 give or take.

Give or take quite a bit! My 1994 Classic Soft Dash had the serpentine drive belt.

[camel_landy]

Deranged Rover said:

300bhp/ton said:

1996 give or take.

Give or take quite a bit! My 1994 Classic Soft Dash had the serpentine drive belt.

Yes... IIRC - The 'Serp' engine was introduced with the 'Soft Dash' Range Rover & the 300TDi (so circa '94).

Basically, the OP is looking for something between '89 & '93.

M

[300bhp/ton]

Deranged Rover said:

Give or take quite a bit! My 1994 Classic Soft Dash had the serpentine drive belt.

Is 2 years really a big gap then?

[camel_landy]

300bhp/ton said:

Deranged Rover said:

Give or take quite a bit! My 1994 Classic Soft Dash had the serpentine drive belt.

Is 2 years really a big gap then?

"Irony - a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often wryly amusing as a result."

Given the OP was asking after a non-serpentine 3.9 RV8, a variant which was only produced for circa 4yrs and asking if there was "a definitive tipping point", then yes... 2yrs makes quite a big difference.

M

Edited by camel_landy on Tuesday 24th September 09:14

[camel_landy]

FWIW - OP... It might be worth asking this question in the TVR area too.

M

[Lodelaner]

If the window of opportunity (with or without the +/- 2 yr variable) for a non-serpentine is too short, then multi-belt front cover can be fitted to a serpentine engine of course.

[DonkeyApple]

Rossco2010 said:

Hi,

I’m trying to track down a 3.9 pre-serp engine to go into an MGB; is there a definitive tipping point in Land Rovers / Range Rovers when they were changed over?

Any advice welcome.

Cheers

I have a running 3.9 pre SERP sitting in one of my project donor Rangies (an early 90s Spanish import). The drivetrain belongs to a colleague but I know it’s available.