engine was extensively developed and used for rallying, especially in Triumph TR8 sports cars. The Australian Repco V8 F1 engine being based on Buick 215 block is technically a common misconception, as the Rover/Buick V8 had only 5 cylinder head studs around each cylinder unit and that cannot accommodate the 6 stud Repco RB620 heads. The Repco V8 was based on Oldsmobile 215 block of the same era, which was very similar in appearance, size and material, but used 6 cylinderhead studs per cylinder. The subtle difference in block design/head clamping originated in Oldsmobile's intention to produce the higher power, turbo-charged Jetfire version of the small/light V8, however, the public/press tended not to be aware of the internal difference. Hotstox use Rover V8 in their stock cars. 3.5 L The initial Rover version of the engine had a displacement of . The bore and the stroke was . All Rover V8s were OHV pushrod engines with two valves per cylinder. It used a sand-cast block with pressed-in iron cylinder liners, and a new intake manifold with two HS6 type SU Carburettors. The Rover engine was heavier but stronger than the Buick engine, with a dry weight of about . It was first offered in the 1967 Rover P5B saloon, initially making (gross) / (net) at 5,200 rpm and (gross) / (net) of torque at 2,600 rpm on 10.5:1 compression (5-star petrol was then still available in the UK). With the introduction of the Rover SD1 in 1976, the engine was improved with the 'rope' oil seals for the crankshaft ends replaced with lip seals, spark plug dimensions changed and the compression ratio lowered to 9.35:1. Applications: 1967–1973 Rover P5B 1968–1976 Rover P6B 1968–1990 Morgan Plus 8 1970–1989 Land Rover Range Rover 1972–1978 Land Rover 101 Forward Control 1973–1976 MGB GT V8 1976–1987 Rover SD1 1978–1985 Land Rover Series III "Stage One" 1979–1981/2 Triumph TR8 1980–1990 TVR 350i 1983–1994 Land Rover 90/110/Defender 1985-2006 Freight Rover Sherpa/LDV Pilot/LDV Convoy 1986-1991 Sisu NA-140 BT 1989–1998 Land Rover Discovery Project Iceberg In the late 1970s, British Leyland became aware of the increasing importance of diesel engined cars to the British, European and (especially) North American markets in the wake of the 1979 energy crisis. It was decided that a new series of diesel engines powerful, refined and economical enough for use in BL cars was needed. However, with development funding tight, it was necessary