400 Main Bearing Size

[jjbradders]

Hi all

Just looking at replacing the main bearings as they're looking a little iffy but not sure what size they are. It's a 1995 Serp 400 with one thrust bearing instead of two.

There are two different sizes of bearing for a 3.9 or 4.0 range rover block, so which set will it be?

Cheers

James

[N7GTX]

Either this: http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/store/slug/cyli...
or
this: http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/store/slug/cyli...

[lancepar]

James,
I have some new unused, still wrapped bearing shells that came with my project car.
Your profile don't tell me where in the world you are so I can't suggest you pop over and have a look if they might do the job.
I'm in the West Midlands.
Lance

[jjbradders]

Thanks for the link Iain, I'm sure one of those is right.

I'm in Sheffield Lance so bit of a way away! I could get some measurements off mine to see if they match yours though? Seems like a better idea to use up stuff instead of buying new.

[jjbradders]

Right I've done some measuring and it comes out as a 2.300" journal. So I think that matches a 3.5/3.9 block.

So did TVR just take a Rover 3.9 block and make it mildy interesting in places?

Cheers

James

[Sardonicus]

jjbradders said:

Right I've done some measuring and it comes out as a 2.300" journal. So I think that matches a 3.5/3.9 block.

So did TVR just take a Rover 3.9 block and make it mildy interesting in places?

Cheers

James

Yes very mildly

[lfsv8]

Undoubtedly the best RV8 tuning book I've ever bought, in summarising what is otherwise a very confusing topic, is Des Hammill's excellent "How to power tune RV8 engines", quote:-

"... 3.5, 3.9. 4.2 & 4.45 litre, RV8 30A block engines [up to 1994] are all small - main bearing - journal, crankshaft engines... earlier 3.9, 30A block engines & later 4.0, 38A are... same bore & stroke... 38A are later, larger main bearing crankshaft journal blocks...

"The major difference between 3.5, 3.9, 4.2, 4.45 [4,445cc, 94.04mm bore, 80.00mm stroke = TVR Tuscan RV8] engines and the 1994-onwards 4.0 & 4.6 litre units is actually in the short assemblies... 1994 on 4.0 & 4.6 standard production engines have large journal (2.5000in/63.50mm for mains, 2.185in/55.5mm for big ends) crankshafts [compared to] 2.299in/58.40mm for mains, 2.000in/50.80mm for big ends of small journal crankshafts."

"Rover codenamed the later 'large journal' V8 blocks 'Pegasus'... these later standard blocks have cross-bolted, four-bolt main caps. Once the Pegasus engine was in production it was referred to as 38A. The 4.0 & 4.6 litre 38A blocks... are also known by the name 'Serpentine'... to do with the convoluted single belt drive system and the counter rotating water pump employed on the 'interim' 3.9 & 4.2 litre engines."

Mr H also provides a summarising guide as a 'Quick Reference Block Identification' on page 23 = types 1 to 8 below.
Type 1: (1967-1980) 3.5 litre, three thin strengthening ribs in valley of block, 14-bolt head studs fixing;
Type 2: (1973-1980) 4.4 litre Australian Leyland P76 block, 10-bolt cylinder head fixing, larger main bearings;
Type 3: (1980-1993) 3.5 litre uprated block, larger two-bolt main caps, thick-ended main caps, three thick strengthening ribs in valley of block, 14-bolt head studs fixing;
Type 4: 3.9 litre (1989-Dec 1993) & 4.2 litre (1992-Dec 1993), same main caps as uprated 3.5, 14 bolt cylinder head fixing;
Type 5: (Jan 1994-April 1994) 3.9 & 4.2, 38A 'interim' blocks, camshaft retaining plate, 14 bolt cylinder head fixing;
Type 6: 3.9 litre (April 1994-Oct 1998) 38A 'interim', 4.2 litre (April 1994-April 1996), camshaft retaining plate, large cross-bolted 38A type main caps, 10 drilled and tapped cylinder head bolt holes;
Type 7: (Sept 1994-2004) 4.0 & 4.6 litre, 38A, four bolt, cross-bolted main caps, 10-bolt cylinder head fixing, large main bearings, camshaft retaining plate;
Type 8: (1995, 1997/98) 3.5 litre 'service blocks', 10-bolt cylinder head fixing, large cross-bolted 38A the main caps (but only 2 vertical bolts drilled & tapped).

I'm going to go and lie down somewhere quiet now, because my head hurts - but 'hats off' to Des Hammill (ISBN: 978-1-845848-68-2)

[jjbradders]

Wow that's a great find, cheers!

Though mine doesn't seem to fit any category? 10 bolt heads, non-cross bolted, smaller journals and serp drive.

Weird...

James

[Sardonicus]

jjbradders said:

Wow that's a great find, cheers!

Though mine doesn't seem to fit any category? 10 bolt heads, non-cross bolted, smaller journals and serp drive.

Weird...

James

Common as muck in TVR terms

[lancepar]

James

I'll post the details off the box they are in. Hang on.

[jjbradders]

lancepar said:

James

I'll post the details off the box they are in. Hang on.

That'd be great, thanks Lance.

The engine shop doing the bores have got an old set which they've let me see if they'll fit, but I doubt it. I'll let you know.

Cheers

James

[lancepar]

Good job I checked the forum , I almost forgot and after today we won't be around too often.
So.

Aluglide 810.....8B610-10...CB610P(8).8-2500RA......One box all sealed.........Unsure what these are for (big end shells)?

ACL.........5M2217-010............TO SUIT BUICK,ROVER,TRIUMPH:215,3528....Boxed and sealed......Think these are big ends and mains.

Both Austrailan products.

BTW I also have a used box of 4ltr Engine parts from my engine pre refurb reputed to have done 75,000miles but they don't appear that old, even the camshaft only has a bit of noticeable wear on one lobe!! I'm told they would suit a Range Rover upgrade.

HTH
Lance
Be back Monday.