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Land Rover   ·   1985–1986

Range Rover Classic 3.5: Technical specifications

Technical specifications (1985–1986)

The Land Rover Range Rover Classic (73-95) 3.5 is the 3.5-litre petrol variant, engine code 23D, built from 1985 to 1986. Quick answers and key figures below, then the full workshop tables.

Updated

Engine code23D
Power97 kW (132 hp)@ 5000 rpm
FuelPetrol
Cylinders8
Oil capacity5,7litres · with the filter

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type8/OHV
Capacity (Fiscal) cc3528 (3470)
Compression ratio :18,13
Suitable for unleaded petrolYes
Minimum octane rating RON91
Ignition system TypeTSZ-i
Ignition system DescriptionTrans-i
Fuel system MakeSolex
Fuel system Type175 CD
Fuel system DescriptionCarb-VV

Ignition system

Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V11,0
Primary resistance Ohm0,0-9,9
Distributor (ECM) MakeLucas
Distributor (ECM) No.41981
Contact breaker gap/trigger air gap mm0,20-0,35

Firing order

The firing order for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Firing order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.

Valve clearance - INLET mmHydraulic
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mmHydraulic

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) takes 5.7 litres of engine oil with the filter.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-40 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-50 as an alternative for moderate climates.

Manual gearbox

The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.7 litres. The specified oil is SAE 15W-40.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 11.4 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range Moderate climate
Engine oil grade SAE 10W-40
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SF
Ambient temperature range Moderate climate alternative
Engine oil grade SAE 20W-50
Engine with filter(s) litres 5.7
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE 15W-40
Manual transmission litres 2.7
Automatic transmission fluid Type Dexron II
Automatic transmission (drain & refill) litres 5.0
Differential front/AT litres 1.7
Differential oil grade - rear SAE 90W
Differential rear litres 2.3
Cooling system - total capacity litres 11.4

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) is 6° BTDC at 700 rpm.

Ignition timingWithout vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm6/700

Battery

The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) uses a 12 V, 60 Ah battery (reserve capacity 90 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)12/90 (60)

Spark plugs

The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) uses Champion RN9YCC spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipmentChampion
Spark plug TypeRN9YCC
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeAutolite
Spark plug Type63
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeChampion
Spark plug TypeRN9YCC
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeNGK
Spark plug TypeBP5ES
Electrode gap mm0,8

Tuning and emissions

Ignition advanceWithout vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm8-12/2000
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm16-20/3000
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm23-27/4200
Idle speed rpm550-650
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm1050-1150
Oil temperature °C60
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO4,5 Max
HC level at idle speed ppm300
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO213-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O20,5-2,0

Starting and charging

Starter motor MakeLucas
Starter motor Type3M100
Maximum cranking amps A162-198
Alternator MakeLucas
Alternator Type133/65
Alternator output A/V/rpm65/14/3000
Voltage regulator Type15TR
Regulated voltage V13,6-14,4

Service checks and adjustments

Oil pressure bar/rpm2,1-2,8/2400
Radiator cap bar1,00
Thermostat opens °C88
Drive belt size - alternator mm9,5x1250
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm11-14

Fuel system

Fuel pump delivery pressure bar0,28-0,42

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) are tightened in 3 stages: 40-50 Nm, then 60-70 Nm, then a final 88-95 Nm.

Cylinder head
Tighten40-50 Nm
Tighten60-70 Nm
Tighten88-95 Nm
Cylinder head instructions—
Other engine tightening torques
Main bearings Stage 1—
Main bearings
Big end bearings Stage 123-27 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 247-54 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate74-81 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt257-285 Nm
Spark plugs14-16 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Road wheels—

Bar lengths use a square-root scale so small and large values stay readable.

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5?

The firing order for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

What spark plugs does the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 use?

The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) uses Champion RN9YCC spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 take?

The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) takes 5.7 litres of engine oil with the filter. A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-40 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF. A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-50 as an alternative for moderate climates.

What are the valve clearances for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5?

Valve clearances on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5?

The cylinder head bolts on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) are tightened in 3 stages: 40-50 Nm, then 60-70 Nm, then a final 88-95 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5?

Basic ignition timing for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.5 (1985–1986) is 6° BTDC at 700 rpm.