No Power V8 3500

[yamlandy]

Hi,
Just picked myself up a new 1984 rangie at the weekend. Its got a 3500cc V8 on twin SU's and seems to have a distinct lack of oommph!
She starts and idles and rev's very well but once on the road and under load she couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, try having to change down from 5th to 4th on the motorway to maintain 55mph uphill!
If you put your foot down she just makes a load of noise (sounds like banging) but doesn't pull. It is almost better to feather the throttle and let speed build up really slowly.
Could this be timing or the points?
I'm guessing electrical as the motor has had a fair chunk of money spent in the last 3yrs.

Any wisdom would be much appreciated.

Paul

[Brett69]

Got a similar problem on my 3.5 V8, I have found out the dizzy is the problem, the vac advance is not working correctly an the spring for the bob weights is not resetting, soon as I get hold of a new distributor this should solve my problems :)

[bustermb]

Got a similar problem on my 3.5 V8, I have found out the dizzy is the problem, the vac advance is not working correctly an the spring for the bob weights is not resetting, soon as I get hold of a new distributor this should solve my problems :)

hi bud stop talking about it and fix it want to get out in it lol :dance:

[ben-dent]

i would adjust the timing, sounds like its to advanced

[yamlandy]

Thanks Ben, i'll give that a try. I've also found the exhaust has broken at the Y pipe so the lack of back pressure might not have been helping either.

[MuddyMike]

Has the camshaft been replaced? Rover V8s eat camshafts and if oil changes have been infrequent they can go through one in less than 60,000. I would not think the exhaust problem is the cause, unless its blocked that is.

Mike

[ben-dent]

Thanks Ben, i'll give that a try. I've also found the exhaust has broken at the Y pipe so the lack of back pressure might not have been helping either.

i doubt the exhaust will be a cause, as i set mine up with no headers or anything on, had to wear ear defenders though

[woodytz]

if the banging sounds like its coming back through the carbs, check the cam shaft for wear, easy way is take the rocker covers off spin the engine over and see if any of the valves dont lift, it will be an exhaust thats broken

[Rossko]

My money's on worn cam too ; but do check SU dashpot oil levels.

[Range Rover Blues]

Ignition timing, static and advanced. 

SUs set up properly (oil in the dash pots)

Cam timing.

The fact that it doesn't like wide open throttle suggests either vac advance of SU dashposts.  They should only have a spot of oil in them, not be full, though they work if full they don't work as it starts to drain out again.

[yamlandy]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all your advice. She's been at the local garage and runs like a dream now. They advanced the timing a bit, richened up the mixture and fitted new points and condenser - goes like a bomb now!
I've been through all the old paperwork and it seems the engine was rebuilt about four years ago so there's plenty of life in the old girl yet! ( I hope!)