Recently, whilst looking through some old files, I found the details of my first TR7V8 conversion. This included many details on the V8 engine used. As the conversion was done in 1983, to keep the costs within reason, I used one of the old Rover 3500 engines (early 1970s vintage) having a compression ratio of 10.5:1 with engine number 42524248G. In those days 1976 onwards engines from the SD1 were hard to obtain and very expensive. Today, the majority of conversions are carried out using the SD1 engine in its various guises or the occasional Land Rover/ Range Rover V8 engine. This made me wonder if owners knew where their engine came from or how old it was. With this in mind, I have managed to obtain some SD1 production figures, together with their year dates and the models into which the V8 was fitted.
Chassis Number by year - (Last six numbers of VIN number)
1975 - 000001 to 000093 | 1976 - 000094 to 008845 |
1977 - 008846 to 034556 | 1978 - 034459 to 084059 |
1979 - 083892 to 132124 | 1980 - 132121 to 151137 and 155001 to 163945 |
1981 - 163946 to 192668 | 1982 - 200001 to 215736 and 249999 to 274170 |
1983 - 274171 to 307398 | 1984 - 307099 to 327045 |
1985 - 327046 to 342094 | 1986 - 342095 to 345831 |
Engine Number Series - (Incl. gearbox type, country and compression ratio)
Engine | Gearbox | Country | Comp. Ratio |
---|---|---|---|
10A000001A-3500 | Manual | UK | 9.35:1 |
11A000001A-3500 | Auto | UK | 9.35:1 |
14A000001A-3500 | Auto | Sweden | 8.13:1 |
15A000001A-3500 | Auto | Australia | 8.13:1 |
16A000001A-3500 | Auto | Japan | 8.13:1 |
17A000001A-3500 | Manual (a/c) | UK | 9.35:1 |
18A000001A-3500 | Auto (a/c) | UK | 9.35:1 |
20A000001A-3500SE EFI | Manual | 8.13:1 | |
21A000001A-3500SE EFI | Auto | 8.13:1 | |
22A000001A-3500 EFI | Manual | UK | 9.75:1 |
23A000001A-3500SE/VP | Manual | UK | 9.75:1 |
24A000001A-3500SE/VP | Auto | UK | 9.75:1 | 25A000001A-3500SE/VP | Manual | UK | 9.75:1 | 26A000001A-3500SE/VP | Auto | UK | 9.75:1 | 27A000001A-3500SE/VP | Manual | (hot climate) | 9.75:1 | 28A000001A-3500SE/VP | Auto (o/c) | UK | 9.75:1 | 30A000001A-3500EF1 | Manual | UK | 9.75:1 | 31A000001A-3500EF1 | Auto | UK | 9.75:1 | 32A000001A-3500EF1 | Manual (o/c) | UK | 9.75:1 | 33A000001A-3500EF1 | Auto (o/c) | UK | 9.75:1 | 34A000001A-3500 | Manual | UK | 9.35:1 | 36A000001A-3500 | UK | 9.35:1 | 38A000001A-3500 | Manual | UK | 9.35:1 | 39A000001A-3500 | Auto | UK | 9.35:1 |
Engine | Gearbox | Country | Fuel Del. | Comp. Ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|
10E00001A | Manual | USA (Federal) | Carb. | 8.13:1 |
11E00001A | Automatic | USA (Federal) | Carb. | 8.13:1 |
12E00001A | Manual | USA (California) | Carb | 8.13:1 |
13E0001A | Automatic | USA (California) | Carb | 8.13:1 |
14E00001A | Manual | USA (All) | E.F.I. | 8.13:1 |
15E00001A | Automatic | USA (All) | E.F.l. | 8.13:1 |
20E00001A | Manual | UK | Carb | 9.35:1 |
In addition to the above, there were some experimental engines built. These were primarily fitted to the experimental cars for various testing purposes. However, this was not always the case. These engines were designated EXP***. In some cases the engines were removed after the tests were completed, and scrapped. One, I know, was sold as a separate unit some years ago.