Settling on a new engine
Since bringing the Rover to the US, I had constantly day-dreamed about upgrading the engine
to something that would have more power, and parts that are actually available in the US. My main
contenders were the Iron Duke conversion that Robert Davis markets, the Chevy I-6 250 with a
Scotty's Adapter, and the Teri Wakeman Ford 302. Some Rover pals urged me to come back to the
2.25L fold, but I grew used to the V-6, and there was no turning back.
My decision was made for me when one of the guys at work mentioned that he had a recently-rebuilt
302 that came out of a 1979 Ford F-150, and he was willing to throw in the Borg-Warner T-18
transmission. For $400, I could not turn it down!
So, I spent several days reading and re-reading Teri's web page, making measurements, and
reveling in the billions of Ford parts that are available on the internet, as well as at the
corner NAPA. Mating the two was going to be the tricky part, so I gave Timm Cooper a call, but
he longer makes those adapters. I was on my own.
The main challenges were going to be the mating of the Ford and Rover parts, the necessary
mounting fabrications, and then the addition of all the ancillary bits, since the 302 that
I had acquired was truly a short block, with only a manifold and water pump bolted on.
Baby steps with the new V-8
created and maintained by
Matt Atkins
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