Quick question –

Rover V8 --- Can I fit the inlet manifold the opposite way round. With the water outlet and thermostat at the gearbox end not the front end of the car.

Not had chance to see if it would work yet but would solve one or two problems.

Paul

No reason why not the heads are identical, so you wouldn't be interrupting or diverting any coolant flow.

What about the distributor, does it not go through the manifold?

Dizzy not a problem. If the ports line up then the only issue I can see is water flow.

instead of picking up water from the front of the block the heads will get water from the rear of the block.

cant see why this would be an issue.

Paul

My gut-feel is that this will not be possible for one reason or another. I have read a lot of books on the RV8 and have never heard of this being done. I would also expect that the water passages between heads and manifold would be different sizes to try to maintain even flow from block through heads to manifold. What I mean is that the water pump is at the front so I would expect the passages at the front to be smaller to try to force some coolant to flow towards the back of the block rather than taking the path of least resistance.

Sorry I can't give you more than a gut-feel reaction but I'd put your chances at 20% or less. Happy to be proved wrong of course...

Craig.

You will very likely boil the heads.

The water flow on the RV8 is in through the front cover into the cylinder block - it then runs from front to back - it then goes up into the head through the water passage at the back of the block - it then runs through the heads from the back to the front and then out into the manifold- there is a port at the back of the manifold for the heater and the main cooling flow to the rad.


If you turn the manifold around - not sure if you could physically - never tried it - then the flow would be along the block up into the head at the back and then out - no cooling flow to the heads - Instant boil up.

Andrew

I don't think you can change them round as the water flow would be all wrong.
I will have a look at the two engines i've got and let you know.

Cheers

Mike