Cam shaft and timing belt

[Geoff-70zwf]

Hi, been a while sine my last chimeara and post on here.
I'm looking at a 4.3 chimeara with 67k on the clock which apparently has a strong 280 bhp as of 2k miles ago.
With no proof of an update and having watched "wheeler dealers", is this a big chance to take.
It's from a trader on here.
Should it be changed at 60k or is that the 5ltr version.
Thanks for your thoughts and appreciate any advice.

[Geoff-70zwf]

Or would it be sensible to replace the timing belt only as a precaution.
Thanks

[LLantrisant]

the rover engines do not have a timing belt....they have a timing chain

camshaft-wear is common on those engines....expect a new camshaft necessary at around 60k miles...and consecutivley you also change the timing-chain.

timing-chain slack is mainly repsonsible for unsteady ignition timing and unstable idling, but not critical in terms of power-output.

[sixor8]

These engines do not have a timing belt, it is a V8 chain driven engine. They are not a service item but can stretch over time. With regular, correct oil changes however, they are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

If you mean the rubber auxiliary belts than run the alternator, water pump, etc, these are a service item and should be changed whenever they look just 'worn out.'

[Belle427]

Is the strong 280 bhp dyno proven or just the sales blurb and seat of the pants dyno?
As said cams do wear quickly on these engines so 60 k is about right, they can wear much quicker than this.
V8 developments do some nice cams for the RV8 engine and are well respected, their Stealth version is great.

Edited by Belle427 on Wednesday 1st December 06:57

[Geoff-70zwf]

Yep, learnt on timing belts/chains etc.
Cheers, after talking to Mark at Amore Autos, my real thoughts of a 500 Griffith materialised.
So the 4.3 question and yes, it had been on the Dyno only 2000 miles ago, fantasric car, just not for me.
500 Griffith is the way for me

[Belle427]

Good luck, the 4.3 is actually considered to be the best engine by some so don’t completely overlook it.
The good ones can quite often make as much power as the 5.0.

[Trevor Lover 66]

I'll second what Belle said Geoff. Like you, I was set on a 500 Griff or Chimp - but when I drove them all - a 400HC was the one for me (mind you had a few gizmo's on it so had a bit of oomph)
Believe me - you'll know when you've found the right car.

[Classic Chim]

Trevor Lover 66 said:

I'll second what Belle said Geoff. Like you, I was set on a 500 Griff or Chimp - but when I drove them all - a 400HC was the one for me (mind you had a few gizmo's on it so had a bit of oomph)
Believe me - you'll know when you've found the right car.

I think this shows it’s all down the the individual car.
There was some truth in the early 4.3’s had some of the most fettled engines from the factory but many many cars have been fettled since then to also achieve very similar figures to the original factory 4.3 but we also know there were not many actual factory built 4.3 engines.
My late 4.6 refreshed by Dom coupled to MBE ecu 15,000 miles later was mapped with 300 bhp catted, probably nearer 315 de Catted and close on 350ft of torques with no head modifications at all. Block was decked very slightly but nothing other than an 885 cam etc.
It is questionable that a standard 450 / 500 will spin up like one of those original engines which might suggest a better balanced engine but give any of these engines to a known RV8 guru it’s likely to come back and have similar levels of power or more.
I’d have thought just by removing the Afm and having a new ecu with smooth bore ACT air induction pipes and elbow, new filter and mappable ignition you would achieve similar figures using a healthy 4.0 engine let alone the larger versions.
Things moved on from those early days so 5.0 engines are now rebuilt upto 350 hp in some cases.
I know at least two Tvr with 5.0 engines built at least a decade ago that have those kind of figures.
SiliconeKid and Baconsarney
Peter ( Phazed) used to regularly turn up at tracks with upto 400 hp in his 5.5

I think if your an engine buff a factory 4.3 would be a joy to own so never discount one. If a 4.3 was available while I’m looking to buy I would want to test drive it for sure.
They are some of the earliest cars built so rare and probably like most require years of looking after to be anything like as good as some other rebuilt cars but if it is looked after and 280 bhp suggests a very healthy engine then well worth looking at.
I nearly drove one of these factory 4.3 BV cars as it was the 9th one built ( silver) but the chassis looked poor so I wasn’t interested until I realised how rare the cars engine was. Gutted lol
I’m very happy I bought a later car for lots of reasons but still wonder just how the 4.3 engine would have been with all that porting etc.