I want to buy a 2002 DII engine that does not have SAI and want to put it in my 2004 DII with SAI. It would be perfect if the 2002 heads have a removable plug where thhe SAI option is normally installed so I can just remove the SAI plugs and screw mine in.

Does anyone know if the non-SAI heads have removable plugs that seal up the SAI threaded holes so I can just remove them and install my SAI system?

 

Answered my own question.
I was hoping that the factory would just make the LHS/RHS heads all the same including drilling/tapping the SAI ports on all heads and putting a plug in the non-SAI models. I guess they saved money by not doing that and just tracked where SAI options are required/sold and not (which still costs money but I guess not as much). The picture attached show a non SAI head. The two SAI port castings are the flats on the upper portion of the two inner exhaust ports. On SAI models these are drilled and tapped. On non SAI models they look just like this one....

thought I would help the forum out for future Rover owner turned mechanics

 

Good info to know.

 

Obviously some weren't based on your picture, but I also believe some were.

 

Damn, we love when folks answer their own questions...top-notch stuff.

If you found a set of heads that had a plug, you'd have to verify that it was a SAI engine to begin with, by vin. number. So many have probably been plugged over the years...that just seeing a plug...wouldn't be a "smoking gun" in my opinion. I'd believe that if the extra machining didn't need to be done...it wouldn't have. I guess a good way to find out, would be if there is a part number for the plug. Manufacturers don't do anything without part number.

Brian.

 

If you're swapping the engine anyway (the more difficult part) why not just put the '04 SAI heads on the '02 block?

I understand it's a little more work and maybe that's already your plan, but if I were swapping engines I'd want to do head gaskets, etc. while I had the block out. I'd also do the oil pump.

A local Rovers-only shop I respect has commented on the alarmingly large number of cracked DII oil pump gears they've seen, plus doing that forces new front cover and oil pan gaskets. Sounds like a win, win, win to me.

 

I will definitely replace the oil pump and timing chain. How about just removing all SAI from the rover and saving $400? Non SAI engine and ECM with the rover I bought.... saves money and time!

 

Whether or not to remove the SAI system depends mostly upon the laws and the rules in the state in which you live, in which you might ever live, and in which the truck might ever live.

In many jurisdictions a truck that had SAI originally and does no longer will not pass annual state inspection requirements.