How easy is it to wang a RV8 into A60 Farina?

[akku]

A60 Farina on eBay. Nice looking thing. Automatic. Thinking, buy it, drop in a Rover 3.5 V8 and attendant autobox, job done.



I can't think of many (if any) done this way

Is there a reason for this?

Seth I guess I'm looking at you here...



Some kind of brake upgrade may also be required.

Alternative 2nd thought was SleeperViva's Olds 350 V8...

I *believe* the back axle in these is quite tough.

I'd probably run it on 6x14 slotmags or the stock wheels anyway so no traction issues to wreck the suspension...

[Seth]

Well, you can fit anything into anything if you want....

I think the steering column is likely the most awkward thing. I don't know whether there'd be enough length without chopping lots out one end or the other either.

Buy it, drop it a little, drive it around while enjoying life at 1622 B series pace. Job done.

[akku]

Is an A60 auto not terminally slow, like waiting for glacial erosion to get you closer to where you need to be? With fuel consumption to make a Cadillac weep?

[composimmonite]

Seeing the A60 uses a B Series engine then I assume MGB V8 conversions might give a guide as to mounts etc.
As Seth says steering would be biggest problem but should be solvable.
Mate had his fathers old Cambridge auto as his first car (in mid 70's) and great old bus. Not fast but comfy even on long distances. Sills were pop riveted fibreglass yet it still solid after been rear ended by a brand new Marina that driver had JUST picked up from the garage and less than 10 miles on the clock. Marina was write off but Farina drove home.


Paul H

[10mpg]

I'd say drop an modern 4 pot in, or if you need the noise a volvo 5 pot, cant be any harder than Rv8 conversion, then you'll get decent economy out of the box 'before' you lpg it...
#A word to the wise, that Olds engine is amazingly heavy, far more so than say a 351c or a 350 chev going by how much my engine crane complained when presented with them all, more on a par with big block chev, might make for some interesting handling...

[rysz]

Can you get MX5's in Heathermillsomatic? Would be a really clean and neat swap... Same for a BMW 4 pot... Zetec on Type 9 would be another really good option!

I think that they are reasonably simple to wire up as well!

Rysz.

[Dez]

the problem with most british saloons of this ilk is because the RV8 is an american design, the starter motor is on the wrong side, so is is exactly where the steering box needs to be. ask me how i know.........

[akku]

Yes there are auto MX5s but I'm not sure the character of a revvy sports car engine is ideal in a lumbering British saloon car

[rysz]

Jan 13, 2012 12:18:29 GMT akku said:

Yes there are auto MX5s but I'm not sure the character of a revvy sports car engine is ideal in a lumbering British saloon car

What about a Volvo engine / box then?

Rysz.

[akku]

Vulva 740 or 940 may be a decent donor. But theres something "wrong" about that swap...

It's not about being RWD GR8 4 DRFTN but just keeping up with the traffic...

[Seth]

I never had trouble keeping up with the traffic when mine was mechanically standard. It wasn't an auto granted but they can't be that much slower. Would be easier to convert to manual than do and engine swap....

[Mad Max]

hmm... so youre my competition. I really wanted this as my new daily, bit of drop and my alleycats with some whitewalls and maybe some paint. And then maybe make use of my dying rovers t series...

[Deleted]

I was eyeing this one up too before I found the Jag, it's very nearly right, but not quite for what I want... not that I can buy it at the moment, but looking costs nothing.

[composimmonite]

What about a 1800 MGB lump and overdrive box ? I'd have thought they would be an easy swop.

Paul H

[akku]

I quite like the auto idea, its the 60 bhp to drive it that concerns me

[Nathan]

Just like C/B B's the steering column will get in the way.

If it were me I would stick a 1800 B into it, then again I have a mass of bits to raid to convert it.

[Rich606]

PERKINS PRIMA

[akku]

No diesels.

I believe the 1800 and 1622 B series have some weird differences (bell housing may be different?) and that a B box in an A60 requires some tunnel mods, or something. This I recall from a Practical Classics article years ago suggesting that "just drop an 1800 out of a Marina or MGB" was not a quick job.

I might be better to wait for a manual one to turn up.

I just liked the eBay one as I rather fancy a V8 Rover / Auto one and that, plus I like the colour, made me think it might be an OK buy if snagged for not a lot more than the current bid price.

Doesn't one of the Ford small blocks have the starter on the other side? Let me scratch my head a moment on that one. Although a Ford V8 in an Austin strikes me as wrong.

Equally wrong - Mopar 318. I could pull the one from my Fury...

[Seth]

Jan 13, 2012 13:54:26 GMT akku said:

I quite like the auto idea, its the 60 bhp to drive it that concerns me

90lbft helps.

You are right that a 5 bearing 1798 on to a Farina box is not just a case of bolting it up. Nothing impossible but just a little involved.

[Nathan]

No true, If you were to do it thought Ive got most the bit you could have for next to nothing dude