LR V8 - Petrol/LPG suitable 4 overlanding?
 

Am currently watching Item number: 150252434165 on EBay with a view to converting for overlanding to Cairo and wanted to know any info on the reliability and suitability of the engine (not the vehicle as that's another whole can of worms!).
Was previously considering a late 300 TDi engine and am unfamiliar with this particular engine...

I think that would make a very nice overlanding vehicle, I'd certainly be happy with it.
Only downside I can think of is they don't like lpg on the channel tunnel, not really a prob tho is it.

If the picture of the rear chassis is anything to go on in the photo showing the tow bar I would say it is in pretty good condition and has probably been looked after.

The V8 is a nice engine but loves to drink, it is very reliable but still quite gutless for the amount of fuel it drinks. The TDI or TD5 would be my pick, the TD5 with a mild tune is a far better engine the a std 3.5 V8, it has more power and uses a hell of a lot less fuel.

The only real downer of the V8 with air-con is you loose the flapped air vents on the bulkhead, which I really like as you do not need to use your air con half as much with these and when off road I usually drive with the windows down and the flaps open, unless the temp is into the 40s then I leave the AC going most of the time.

for the V8:

replace head gasgets with composite ones, these are much more reliable, when engine is worked hard.

loose the fan and replace with electric one fitted on the radiator (helps with milage)

move the ignition amplifier to the fender, or better replace ignition with Lumetition system (110£)

see if you can replace the orginal injection system with megasquirt....this will again help with milage quite significally.

the key issues with older V8`s are with camshaft wearing along with lifters, and fast wear of camshaft gears/chain

both can be dealt with better quality aftermarket parts, so it is really no big deal for DIY guy.

my range rover with the mods go with carefull driving 8-9L/100km when I keep the speed 85-90Km/h...what I consider excelent for this size car.

ps. for the most reliable one go for the 3,5 liter EFI

Laplander, suggest you check the dates! Must admit I was initially puzzled why I couldn't find the ebay link though:oops2:
RE Land Rover V8s, in my extensive experience of offroading the main day to day problem is likely to be overheating and a tropical rad would be a good investment. Electric fan or not. LPG certainly sounds a good idea, but I'd want to drive the car for a good month before a long trip to make sure it's a reliable job.
As far as Col's post, I work on td5s every day, and I wouldn't use one to go to the shops:thumbdown:!