Triumph TR7 with a V8 engine in it?

[Pontiac59]

Any idea what this motor is or why it might be in a Triumph circa 1980-ish TR7 (we think) ?

[Barry Wolk]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any idea what this motor is or why it might be in a Triumph circa 1980-ish TR7 (we think) ? </div></div>

I think the TR-7 was equiped with the Rover V-8. I think it's aluminum.

[Pontiac59]

This is the car it's in - has no paperwork and I have no clue what year it would be.

[Peter Gariepy]

its a tr8

do a google search

http://www.google.com/search?q=tr8&s...:en-US:official

[1937hd45]

Its the aluminum Buick V8 that GM sold to Rover. Don't know if it is a dead on bolt for bolt swap or not.

[R W Burgess]

What's the car in the background, a late 30's Chrysler Product?

Wayne

[Dave@Moon]

This is <span style="font-weight: bold">not</span> a TR8. TR8 coupes are rare, most were convertibles. All TR8's had a raised portion on the hood to clear the intake, which this car lacks. This is almost certainly a converted TR7. The trim isn't too visible or I'd be able to ID the year for you.

The engine is also not the Rover V8, although it is very similar. The Buick 215 aluminum block engine was sold to Rover in the 1960s, and is essentially what they used through 2003 in Rovers and Range Rovers as well as this car. This is very likely an Olds version or a Buick version with switched valve covers (the valve covers are not stock Buick units, however note a GM alternator is visible, not a Lucas unit). Also here aren't many other V8's that fit in a TR7. Here is a link to a genuine TR8 engine.

There was a short run of factory experimental V8 TR7s in 1978, but they're extremely rare and were used mainly in factory sponsored racing. I've only ever seen one in street trim. They have a slightly different Rover engine.

[Dave@Moon]

BTW, that GM alternator is not mounted in either the Buick or Rover stock location.

[Pontiac59]

Hmm. Well the Buick 215 has nailhead-type heads and valve covers, so it must be an Olds of some sort, but those are not stock for either version I wouldn't think.

I'll have to get out my Motors books and see where the numbers are and see if this has any of the GM issue numbers to it. I'll have to check out what sort of transmission is in here, too.

Cars in background, left to right:

'60 Cadillac convertible - '39 Chevy coupe stock car - '42 Hudson coupe (way back) - 37 Plymouth tudor.

[R W Burgess]

Must be the 37 Plymouth then!

Hey, Dave, did having "Monogram" taking over production of the Triumph finally put them down the "tubes"! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey, Dave, did having "Monogram" taking over production of the Triumph finally put them down the "tubes"! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Wayne </div></div>

If only it were so. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[joe_padavano]

That's definitely an Olds 215. Someone built a do-it-yourself TR8. Buick designed the 215 but Olds developed their own unique heads, thus the different valve covers. What intake manifold is on the motor? Real TR8s used a pair of 2bbl side draft carbs, which is why real TR8s needed the raised portion in the hood. This looks like a GM dual-plane intake.

[Dave@Moon]

I'm not sure there's an intake there under all that litter. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Is that the normal alternator location on an Olds 215?

[Pontiac59]

There is a very low-rise single 4bbl intake under there, which someone tried to cover with a piece of plywood - which since has rotted to pieces. Someone else has pointed out that the alternator is in niether the TR8 location, or the Buick location -