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roverman Member
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Greetings, anyone out there built or contemplating the build of 907/912 head swap on Rover V8 ? Should make for a testeroadster! I have done the initial mock-up. Bore spacing is exact. Need to move some bolt holes around in the decks, possibly with-out deck adapter plates. Rovers are easy for tranmission choices,I.E GM.,Tremic, Man's. and GM., Ford C4, Toy-Borg 4spd/OD., Auto's. Will need electronic port injection with cross-ram runnrs for best results. Engine displacements of 4-5L. very practical with 6.31 being astronamical limit. Your constructive critic and or input is appreciated. Regards, roverman. |
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Jensen Healey Super Moderator 
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Roverman, You are a madman! Welcome!!! I haven't ever looked at a Rover V8 so I can't comment, but will look forward to further analysis of the idea. We rate difficulty of projects in glasses of vino around here. I think you'll need about a barrel for this one! Where are you located? Kurt JH 13148 |
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subwoofer Member
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Not to be a party pooper here, but have you considered that the flow through the passenger side head will have to be reversed? Mind you, I haven't studied the 907 head up close yet (it's still in the car), so it is quite possible that it is symmetrical, at least the early heads. Like the idea though, 12 out of 10 on the crazy scale, but it could easily turn into 200 out of 10 on the amount of work scale.... -- Joachim |
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JHRV8 Member
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Well,I to have done some very general initial measurements, and I came to the conclusion that barring a win at the lottery, this is next to impossible, with the welding and fabrication being a 11 on the 1 to 10 scale, the reversal of one bank of cams which need to be custom made, the custom intake manifold, and exhaust, etc. ect.. I just don't have the $30,000.oo needed.....Good luck!!! p.s. I do have a Rover V-8 in my J-H.... great fit 225 hp, 285 fp/torque. Last edited on 11-11-2008 01:59 pm by JHRV8 |
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Mitch Ware Member 
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Other than the gee-wiz factor, why not just put a built rover V-8 in the car. We are about half way done with building one for an MGB that will be right around 500hp. using a Ford 5 speed and 9" rear end, we should be able to run with the corvettes and vipers on the track no sweat. Mitch Ware - #19670 |
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Jensenman Member
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Much as I like the 'all Brit' factor of the Lotus head on a Rover block setup, I'd have to go with the Lexus 32 valve V8 which came in the LS400. It's called the 1UZ-FE motor, there are companies in Australia and England which make M/T swap bellhousings and flywheels for them. It makes around 250-260 HP stock and is typically Toyota reliable, meaning the salvage yards despair of ever selling one. This makes them dirt cheap. I may eventually do one of those in my Solo I J-H. EDIT: IIRC the Cadillac Northstar's heads are allegedly based on the 9xx series Lotus units, wonder how hard it would be to plop a pair of J-H heads on a Northstar block? Last edited on 11-11-2008 07:19 pm by Jensenman |
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roverman Member
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Wow, 500 hp! Wildcat heads? 2xturbo? Magnacharger? Big? Got dyno sheet? You definately got my attention! The bellhousings I'm aware of take GM. pattern trans. I also have early,74, MGB Roadster. I like the mid 80's RX-7 IRS/IFS suspension modules. No mock-up as yet. Perhaps a little British invasion would be good for the corner burners! |
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roverman Member
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consuming good, whining bad. may the farce be with us....... |
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roverman Member
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Head do 180. Work do 360. or just "Poser a Rover"? u-no JH. valve covers? |
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roverman Member
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also, Inland Empire?, CA. |
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roverman Member
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Maybe we should just sign-up for a test drive with the guy making 500 hp.?? roverman. |
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Mitch Ware Member
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Parts for the rover engine just cleared customs and they are all down at the machine shop with the block. Bore and stroke are being increased making the engine right at 5 liters. We are targeting getting it done for next years racing season. Then we'll see how well it all holds together. Mitch Ware - #19670 |
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roverman Member
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I might be off-here but Norstar should be about 4.36" on bore centers. We need 4.24". IE. 907, B.O.R.V8's and Buick V6's. I prefer "closed deck" blocks for head swaps. regards, roverman. |
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normv Member 
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I have seen this done somwhere on the net a few years ago but can't find it now, it should be on there somwhere they were able just to reverse the cam towers on the right head |
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smcmanus Member 
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normv wrote: I have seen this done somwhere on the net a few years ago but can't find it now, it should be on there somwhere they were able just to reverse the cam towers on the right head ...or take the right bank exhaust stacks right through the hood!! Have a nice day Steve |
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roverman Member
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Thanks for the reply. Thats just how the mock-up went so many years ago. Looks like well under $30 k. Might be able to squeez (4) IDA. Webbers on there to speed up the build. Tremic 5/6 speed with IRS. or T-axel rear. Possible Targa top. Yes I know I'm going to destroy the "collector" value of the car. Fellow Jensenholic, Roverman. |
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Chris E Member
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I took a quick look at the cam towers on my spare engine & it looks like they can be reversed with little madification. If you can get the heads to bolt up and get the water flow to work, it should be fairly simple. I'd love to see it! |
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JHRV8 Member
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Ya know that reversing one of the cams is just the begining; you have to make 8 cylinders intermesh and TIME to make the motor run smoothly...... think... |
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roverman Member
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I think I'll reverse 1 head, 2 cams, and give each cylinder 90 deg's of crank to do it's thing. More likely I'll run out of time before motor. Regards, roverman. |
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Triplesn8s Member
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Roverman, I really don't think this will work. I looked at it several years ago as I have lots of Rover bits & TR8's and did have a JH and motor spares. Your post got me to double check myself. I dug a bit and found a new JH head gasket and laid it on one of my Rover V8 heads. Absolutely no way. Bore centers are way off (1/4") and the bolt holes don't intersect at all. Never in a million years my friend. If this were doable at all I would have already been working on it for a couple of years as I have a mill. Sorry, Bill |
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edward_davis Member 
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Hypothetically, if the heads did line up, etc., couldn't you solve the timing problem by going with a 180 degree crank for the V8? They use them in racing, but not on the street because, as I understand, they create too much vibration. But that wouldn't be a problem for a crazy hot rod engine, would it. With the 180 degree crank, you'd have the timing for each side the same as for a single 907, but you'd have to offset the banks for the engine's V-angle. Just a thought... Of course, it might be easier to just get a shop to CNC "Jensen Healey" on some aluminum Buick valve covers. Cheers, Edward |
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roverman Member
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The good news is, all 4 cams are Sync'd. individually. One bank of cylinders fires every 180 deg's as does opposite bank. You alternate between as as needed to please the crank. 180 deg. crank not needed. Worst case scenario, I make cams. I ruffem and grinder finishum. As I recall, some 25 yrs. ago, the cam phasing was correct. It is remotely possible, I'm mistaken or ????? roveman. |
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roblanford Member
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Why not use one of these engines they are all aluminium, 405 hp stock, designed by Lotus and can be had used for around $7500: |
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roverman Member
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Thanks for the nice picture, very impressive! Only problem is, I'm not Mr. Goodwrench. I think this motor probably needs to visit an "authorized dealer" to live long and prosper. I think maybe I'm a little old fashioned. When I look under the hood/bonnet, I like to SEE the engine. I don't appologize that a British car with a British engine "might" be a good thing. Further, I believe, being able to fully service an engine that I built/designed without megabucks of diagnostic equipment is a good thing. I think perhaps I'll lumber onward with these out-dated ideals, come-what-may. roverman. |
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JHRV8 Member
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O.K. mister roverman, I, for one, want to see one of these conversions. Please do go on with this experiment of yours and build up a 4 cammer, please post photos and text!!! I can"t wait..........JHRV8 |
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Brett Gibson JH5 20497 Member
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I saw a Jensen GT at the Nashville show that had a Nissan V-6 crate motor installed, with auto trans, I believe it was driven from California, beautiful job down to the last detials. But when you do that kind of thing you limit your resale market should the time ever come. Personally I would rather tweek a Jensen with Jensen and Lotus bits, and have fun that way. Brett |
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roblanford Member
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Last edited on 02-09-2009 08:39 pm by roblanford |
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roblanford Member
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Last edited on 02-09-2009 08:39 pm by roblanford |
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Jensen Healey Super Moderator
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Hi Brett, That was Jim Albeck's (sp?) car. He built it so his wife could drive it, thus the automatic. It had no drivetrain when he acquired it. I don't think he cared about resale during his lifetime. Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago and the car was sold. Kurt |
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roverman Member
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Perhaps we could consider the "benefits"? of diversity? Some believe this is one of many items that brought the US. to it's level. Many of us are free-thinking individuals who sometimes share common likes,dislikes, etc. I'm truly glad to know there are those in the club who will restore and maintain their JH., numbers matching, all correct in such a manner that they'll sleep better knowing when it's their time to part ways, they'll get maximum bucks. Fortunately, a very limited few, has a sellfish idea to build the car the way they want...resale bedarned! We the unfaithfull probably have no right to ask questions, survey,ponder, pass judgement etc. Is'nt it refreshing? roverman. |
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Jensenman Member
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Holy cow, I better not mention all the Britmobile swaps I have done with various engines; German Ford in both a Spitfire and an MG, A series Datsun and a Mitsubishi 1600 in a Spitfire. I currently have a JH5 with the stock motor and a Toyota tranny, a quarterbreed I guess, a Spitfire with a Mazda rotary and another J-H which is undergoing a rotary implant. A buddy and I are contemplating a boosted Miata motor in a GT6 and another friend is considering a Rover V8 in a J-H and wants me to help engineer it. I guess that makes me the Antichrist. :-/ Last edited on 02-09-2009 03:15 pm by Jensenman |
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Brett Gibson JH5 20497 Member
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Seem's to be a touchy subject to some, without offence to anyone I prefer mine functional and close to stock, it makes me cringe when I see cars come up on E-bay that looks like a rat's nest of hodge podge parts flung together and then left to rot because they lost intrest. I have also seem some very nice cars that have been converted, such as Jim Albecks, that car was truelly a beautiful conversion, and I would'nt have minded owning myself. also Donny Pritchard came to the Philly show with a very nice V-8 conversion. If your going to do one just do it right. I also believe in getting the most enjoyment out of the cars, driving them, putting them thru there paces, Krip I'm still toying with the idea of meeting up with Ron Mau in Iowa and driving out to Cal. and visit Greg. I think the car is that dependable even with all the British parts. Brett |
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roblanford Member
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I really like the JH in appearance and its Lotus engine. I also enjoy seeing people dream up wild ass ways to change their car to suit their needs. My personal car is going to remain stock at least for now as that is what suits me today. Tomorrow may be a different story. Last edited on 02-09-2009 08:47 pm by roblanford |
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edward_davis Member
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I think diversity is wonderful, and I'd love to hear more about engine transplant projects. One thing, though: I bought my JH as a host for the 907 engine, and not so much for the car itself. I love the car, don't get me wrong, but what made it different from an MGB for me was the c-razy engine. I have a feeling I'm not the only one who feels this way, which is probably why there are far fewer engine-swap JH's out there than MGB's. So: I'm not opposed to hearing about engine swaps, and contributing ideas in the club forum. But, I'm not going to swap any engines, because I already have the one I want. In fact... I've thought about an MGB 907 or 912 swap... Cheers! Edward |
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subwoofer Member
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Totally agree with you there, Edward. If it wasn't for the 907, I think I would have passed on the JH, the styling is not that great. A rebuilt 907 with the federal compression and an Eaton supercharger, now that could give some serious ooompph to some LBC. -- Joachim |
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smcmanus Member
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I totally agree with Subwoofer and Edward. The Jensen Healey would be merely a homlier version of the Spitfire, if it weren't for the really cool engine. Have a nice day Steve |
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Jensenman Member
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I personally like the J-H's styling a lot. I am also a big fan of the 9xx motors too. That's why 19015 still has the stock Lotus powerplant. I dislike butcher swaps as well, there are far too many of them and I also think anyone who puts an automatic tranny in a British sports car does not deserve to own one. I also would not dream of chopping up a pristine car to build things like the Abomination (my rotary Spitfire). But given a car that would not be worth restoring and would wind up as sardine cans and disposable razors otherwise, I see no problem with repowering it in order to at least partially save it. |
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Steve Johnson Member 
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Jensenman; Please contact me off list, question about toyota w58 conversion. bjzpapa@roadrunner.com (home) or sjohnson@teamsimpson.com )work thanks. steve |
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JHRV8 Member
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I think that the reality of this discourse is that everybody has his own opinion, and thank the lord for that right!! I LOVE the styling of the JH and think other BRITISH SMALL SP. CARS ARE JUST HOMELY. However, the mechanics of the car leave something to be improved. That is why I changed to Rover power and Volvo running gear. The car fully restored is worth only 10K, so why not change to one's own liking. We all love this marque so lets not fight over the execution, but revel in the wonder of it all......JHRV8. Last edited on 02-11-2009 11:45 pm by JHRV8 |
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