Hi 99 Discovery,

Opticrapper? Interesting name but probably appropriate from what I've heard. Any distributor mounted in such a way looks like it would be indeed a nightmare.

Rovers wasn't much better the way they mounted theirs. I remember doing a head gasket replacement it was a real bitch to remove.

 

BTW, I think Atlantic British parts might have a coil relocation kit, so if you put your coils the same place they put theirs, they could probably help you out with getting spark plug wires.

 

I was asked privately what I was going to do about the crank sensor since I'm using the Rovers Ignition and Fuel System.

Chevy didn't use crank sensors on the series engine I'm using until 96 and since mine is a 95 it doesn't have one.

The Rover uses a magnetic sensor which runs through the back of the engine and uses a magnetic rod which runs into a groove in the flywheel. At a point in the flywheel where there is no magnetic contact, that's where I assume the ignition gets its signal.

I plan to achieve the issue by providing the Chevy engine with its own crank sensor (called a crank trigger) mounted on the front of the engine and tied into the Rovers electrical system (see photo).

 

Any updates?

 

As a matter of fact yes.

I think I mentioned before I live in Florida for 6 mths and Wisconsin in the summer months.

I went up a couple of weeks ago and installed the new motor mounts, ran the fuel lines including the return, made up and installed new plug wires, installed the exhaust manifolds and a few odds and ends including the starter wiring, etc.

Next week I will be going north for the summer and the next step is to connect the exhaust system up, connect the O2 sensors and fill the trans and engine with oil.

Then I will deal with the crank sensor which I will use the crank trigger. Once I run it then I have to deal with the cooling system, charging, pumps, etc which should take a few weeks of my spare time. I will continue to include pictures and any special problems but it all seems doable.

 

This is not my specialty, but won't this throw off the timing? Your adding at least 2 ft of wire per plug.

 

It's not my specialty either, but with the ignition impulse traveling from the coil to the spark plug at the speed of light (186,000 mi/sec) I don't expect another two feet of wire per plug will make a material difference.

 

anyone build a kit to put a 1960s buick 350 in one

 

Got it running today but only for less than a minute since I have yet to hook up the cooling system, which I will use the Rovers radiator and coolant bottle for. I won't use that contraption of hoses Rover uses with the thermostat in it, the Chevy engine has its own.

Tied in the exhaust to the Rovers muffler with flex pipe for now and I will have some custom benders make it right once its on the road, but they seem to do a nice job since its quiet.

Used the Rovers throttle cable and cut it down since its sooo long. Had an issue with travel which was too short to allow full throttle. I found the gas pedal on the Rover has 2 plastic spacers, which once removed allowed the exact distance for full travel both way.

I fabricated a temporary crank sensor mount near the crank pulley (see pix), the one I will make is going to be stainless since I think the magnetic Rover sensor may interfere with regular conductive metals like steal and aluminum.

The other issue is that I decided to use the Rover anti-sway system pump which sits above the power steering pump. I had to fabricate a bracket for both and the picture shows it somewhat completed. I mentioned this before but again the Chevy has all its accessories on the right hand side of the engine leaving the left side clear.

Next is the alternator and a/c compressor along with pulleys to accommodate the rather long serpentine belt I will have to use.

I'm in no rush and would like to have it fully roadworthy by the end of the summer.

 

This is awesome, cant wait for further updates.