tr7 conversion

[pintos21]

I am working on a 1977 tr7 that has been sitting since 1984 and cannot get it started.So I,m thinking about another motor,Land Rover or Buick. My question is the years to look for.J R

Jerry Rees

[FI Spyder]

If the engine turns it should start. You can do a search to find other posts about starting an engine that has been sittting. This includes new wires, sparkplugs, cap, points, fresh gas direct to full pump, cleaned carbs (possibley new diaphrams in overhaul kit). The problem is time may have deteriorated rubber parts and the gas will have turned to varnish. These steps are true of any engine that has set for a years. Stacey David devoted a whole episode to this on his TV show Gearz. If you are going to drop in a V-8 anyways don't bother going through these steps. If it's a four speed you will need a 5 speed tranny and rear end to handle the power. You other options is a Buick V-6 and you can get a kit from John's Cars (see other forum section dedicated to this.) A very viable option as it moves the weight distribution to the rear for better handling.

The Buick V-8 was available 1961 to 1963. Olds used a high performance version with a slightly different head and 10 to 1 pistons. It was used by Rover up until the 2004 Land Rover Discovery.


TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[Jolyon39]

Welcome to the forum Jerry

The TR8 had the Rover V8 which was found in the SD1 Rover.This has the correct sump and front cover for fitting the engine into the TR7.

If I were in the US though I would go the Johns Cars direction as that 6 cyliner version of the Buik V8 is about 220 horse in standard fomat versus the Rover V8 at only 155 Horse.

Jolyon

[PeterTR7V8]

Also, the Land Rover 3.5 V8s were lower compression so unless it is a 3.9 version it will not be up to TR8 spec.

What have you done to get the motor started? Got a spark? Is fuel flowing?



The map: http://tinyurl.com/wedgemap . The blog: http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8548

[pintos21]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by PeterTR7V8</i>

Also, the Land Rover 3.5 V8s were lower compression so unless it is a 3.9 version it will not be up to TR8 spec.

What have you done to get the motor started? Got a spark? Is fuel flowing?



The map: http://tinyurl.com/wedgemap . The blog: http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8548
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Jerry Rees

[pintos21]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by pintos21</i>

I am working on a 1977 tr7 that has been sitting since 1984 and cannot get it started.So I,m thinking about another motor,Land Rover or Buick. My question is the years to look for.J R

Jerry Rees
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Thanks for the help. I've done all the standard stuff to get it running.Spark,fuel,compression.Compression in cylinders 1 and 2 in the 90s 3 and 4 in the mid 80s.Set timing. I,m not sure where to go from here will have to look at some other options J.R.

Jerry Rees

[FI Spyder]

ge<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by pintos21</i>

Compression in cylinders 1 and 2 in the 90s 3 and 4 in the mid 80s.Set timing. I,m not sure where to go from here will have to look at some other options J.R.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It seems to me the compression should be in the 150 range, I've just checked my book were I have my Spitfire compression readings stored. Sounds like the valve timimg is out. Tensioner may have allowed the timing chain to have slipped a tooth or two. I would take the timing chain cover and valve cover off and check things out. You can download the OEM service manual in pdf from jclay's website. Unless you still want an engine change anyways then it's just academic.

Squirt some oil in the spark plug holes and see if it goes up. Maybe stuck piston rings? What do you guys think?



TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra