Engine & identification
Vehicle identification
| No. of cylinders Type | 8/OHV |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Fiscal) cc | 3950 (3914) |
| Compression ratio :1 | 9,35 |
| Suitable for unleaded petrol | Yes |
| Minimum octane rating RON | 95 |
| Ignition system Type | TSZ-i |
| Ignition system Description | Trans-i |
| Trigger location | Distributor |
| Fuel system Make | Lucas |
| Fuel system Type | 14 CUX |
| Fuel system Description | MFI-i |
| Air metering Type | Mass |
| Combined ignition and fuel ECM | No |
| Diagnostic socket | Yes |
Ignition system
| Ignition coil Make | Bosch |
|---|---|
| Ignition coil Type | 0 221 122 392 |
| Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V | 11,0 |
| Primary resistance Ohm | 0,67-0,82 |
| Distributor (ECM) Make | Lucas |
| Distributor (ECM) No. | 42510A |
Firing order
The firing order for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
| Firing order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
|---|
Valve clearances
Valve clearances on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.
| Valve clearance - INLET mm | Hydraulic |
|---|---|
| Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm | Hydraulic |
Engine oil & fluids
Engine oil
The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) takes 5.7 litres of engine oil with the filter.
A listed engine oil option is SAE 5W-20 for cold climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.
A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-40 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.
A listed engine oil option is SAE 15W-40 as an alternative for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.
A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-50 for hot climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.
Manual gearbox
The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.7 litres. The specified oil is ATF-G.
Coolant
The listed total cooling-system capacity is 11.4 litres.
Grades, filling conditions and capacities
| Engine oil options | |
|---|---|
| Ambient temperature range | Cold climate |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 5W-20 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Ambient temperature range | Moderate climate |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 10W-40 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Ambient temperature range | Moderate climate alternative |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 15W-40 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Ambient temperature range | Hot climate |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 20W-50 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SJ/A2 |
| Engine with filter(s) litres | 5.7 |
| Other lubricants and capacities | |
| Manual transmission oil grade SAE | ATF-G |
| Manual transmission litres | 2.7 |
| Automatic transmission fluid Type | Dexron IID |
| Automatic transmission (dry fill) litres | 9.1 |
| Differential front/AT litres | 1.7 |
| Differential oil grade - rear SAE | 90W |
| Differential rear litres | 2.3 |
| Cooling system - total capacity litres | 11.4 |
| Brake fluid Type | DOT 4 |
| Power steering fluid Type | Dexron II |
| Power steering fluid litres | 1.7 |
Brakes & wear limits
Brake disc thickness
Brake discs on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 12 mm (solid) or 22 mm (ventilated) front and 11,7 mm rear.
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement - solid Front | 12 mm |
|---|---|
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front | 22 mm |
| Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear | 11,7 mm |
Brake disc and drum dimensions
| Minimum pad thickness Front | 2 mm |
|---|---|
| Minimum pad thickness Rear | 2 mm |
| Parking brake travel No. of notches | 3-4 |
Bar lengths use a square-root scale so small and large values stay readable.
Service & electrical
Ignition timing
Basic ignition timing for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) is 4°±1° BTDC at 700 rpm.
| Ignition timing | Without vacuum |
|---|---|
| Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm | 4±1/700 |
Battery
The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) 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 3.9 (1989–1993) uses Champion RN11YCC spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.
| Spark plugs Original equipment | Champion |
|---|---|
| Spark plug Type | RN11YCC |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,8 |
| Spark plugs Make | Autolite |
| Spark plug Type | APP64 |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,8 |
| Spark plugs Make | Beru |
| Spark plug Type | 14-8DU |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,7 |
| Spark plugs Make | Bosch |
| Spark plug Type | W8DC |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,8 |
| Spark plugs Make | Champion |
| Spark plug Type | RN11YCC |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,8 |
| Spark plugs Make | NGK |
| Spark plug Type | BPR6E-VG |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,9 |
Tuning and emissions
| Ignition advance | Without vacuum and basic timing |
|---|---|
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | 4-8/1600 |
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | 13-17/2800 |
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | 11-17/4000 |
| Idle speed rpm | 700±30 Not adjustable |
| Idle speed - alternative rpm | AT=600±30 Not adjustable |
| Oil temperature °C | 70 |
| CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO | 0,5-1,0 Not adjustable |
| HC level at idle speed ppm | 300 |
| CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2 | 13-16 |
| O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2 | 0,5-2,0 |
Starting and charging
| Starter motor Make | Lucas |
|---|---|
| Starter motor Type | M78R |
| Minimum starting voltage V | 7,5 Min |
| Maximum cranking amps A | 162-198 |
| Alternator Make | Lucas |
| Alternator Type | 133/65 |
| Alternator output A/V/rpm | 65/14/3000 |
| Voltage regulator Type | 15TR |
| Regulated voltage V | 14,0-14,4 |
Service checks and adjustments
| Oil pressure bar/rpm | 2,1-2,8/2400 |
|---|---|
| Radiator cap bar | 1,00 |
| Thermostat opens °C | 88 |
| Drive belt size - alternator mm | 9,5x1250 |
| Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm | 11-14 |
Fuel system
| System pressure bar | 2,9-3,2 |
|---|---|
| Regulated pressure with vacuum bar | 2,4-2,7 |
| Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor Ohm/°C | 300-400/80 |
| Injector Ohm | 16,0-17,0 |
| Idle air control (IAC) valve/idle speed control (ISC) actuator Ohm | 40,0-60,0 |
Tightening torques
Cylinder head bolt torque
The cylinder head bolts on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) are tightened in 3 stages: 40-50 Nm, then 60-70 Nm, then a final 88-95 Nm.
| Cylinder head | |
|---|---|
| Renew bolts | No |
| Tighten | 40-50 Nm |
| Tighten | 60-70 Nm |
| Tighten | 88-95 Nm |
| Cylinder head instructions | — | |
|---|---|---|
| Other engine tightening torques | ||
| Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No | |
| Main bearings Stage 1 | — | |
| Main bearings | ||
| Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts | No | |
| Big end bearings Stage 1 | 27 Nm | |
| Big end bearings Stage 2 | 47-54 Nm | |
| Oil pump to cylinder block | 15 Nm | |
| Sump bolts | 20 Nm | |
| Sump drain bolt | 45 Nm | |
| Flywheel/driveplate | 75-81 Nm | |
| Clutch pressure plate | 24-30 Nm | |
| Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt | 257-285 Nm | |
| Camshaft sprocket/gear | 54-61 Nm | |
| Camshaft/rocker cover | 7 Nm | |
| Inlet manifold to cylinder head | 50 Nm | |
| Exhaust manifold to cylinder head | 20 Nm | |
| Spark plugs | 14-16 Nm | |
| Chassis tightening torques | ||
| Brake disc to hub Front | 25 Nm | |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front | 82 Nm | |
| Brake disc to hub Rear | 25 Nm | |
| Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear | 82 Nm | |
| Back plate to hub Rear | 10 Nm | |
| Road wheels | — | |
Bar lengths use a square-root scale so small and large values stay readable.
Air conditioning
| Air conditioning refrigerant Type | R12 |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams | — |
| Refrigerant quantity | |
| Air conditioning oil Type | Suniso 4GS |
| Air conditioning oil quantity cm³ | 135±15 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the firing order of the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9?
The firing order for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
What spark plugs does the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 use?
The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) uses Champion RN11YCC spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.
How much oil does the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 take?
The Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) takes 5.7 litres of engine oil with the filter. A listed engine oil option is SAE 5W-20 for cold climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-40 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 15W-40 as an alternative for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2. A listed engine oil option is SAE 20W-50 for hot climates, with API/ACEA classification SJ/A2.
What are the valve clearances for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9?
Valve clearances on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.
What is the cylinder head torque for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9?
The cylinder head bolts on the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) 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 3.9?
Basic ignition timing for the Land Rover Range Rover Classic 3.9 (1989–1993) is 4°±1° BTDC at 700 rpm.