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Land Rover   ·   1979–1983

Series III 3.5: Technical specifications

Technical specifications (1979–1983)

The Land Rover Series III 3.5 is the 3.5-litre petrol variant, built from 1979 to 1983. Quick answers and key figures below, then the full workshop tables.

Updated

Power66 kW (90 hp)@ 3500 rpm
FuelPetrol
Cylinders8
Oil capacity6,0litres · 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 TypeSZ
Ignition system DescriptionCB
Fuel system MakeStromberg
Fuel system Type175 CD
Fuel system DescriptionCarb-VV

Ignition system

Ignition coil MakeLucas
Ignition coil Type16C6
Ballast resistance Ohm1,3-1,5
Primary resistance Ohm1,43-1,58
Distributor (ECM) MakeLucas
Distributor (ECM) No.41382/41681
Contact breaker gap/trigger air gap mm0,4
Dwell angle °(%)26-28 (58-62)

Firing order

The firing order for the Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) 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 Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) 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 Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) takes 6.0 litres of engine oil with the filter. The specified engine oil grade is SAE 10W-40 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF.

Manual gearbox

The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.6 litres. The specified oil is SAE 90W, with classification GL-4.

Transfer box

The transfer box has a listed capacity of 3.1 litres. The specified oil is SAE 90W, with classification GL-4.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 9.7 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
Engine with filter(s) litres 6.0
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE 90W
Manual transmission oil classification GL-4
Manual transmission litres 2.6
Differential oil grade - front SAE 75W-90
Differential front/AT litres 1.5
Differential oil grade - rear SAE 75W-90
Differential rear litres 2.6
Transfer box oil grade SAE 90W
Transfer box oil classification GL-4
Transfer box litres 3.1
Cooling system - total capacity litres 9.7

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) is 9° BTDC at 1400 rpm.

Ignition timingWithout vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm9/1400

Battery

The Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) uses a 12 V, 58 Ah battery (reserve capacity 85 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)12/85 (58)

Spark plugs

The Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) 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 MakeChampion
Spark plug TypeRN9YCC
Electrode gap mm0,8

Tuning and emissions

Ignition advanceWithout vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm0-4/1400
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm17-21/3800
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm22-26/4800
Vacuum checkIgnition timing advances
Vacuum range °Engine18-20
Vacuum starts mbar135
Vacuum ends mbar677
Idle speed rpm850-950
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm1000-1200
Oil temperature °C60
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO1,5-3,0
HC level at idle speed ppm300
HC level at idle - alternative ppm-1982=400
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 A157-191
Alternator MakeLucas
Alternator TypeA115-45
Alternator output A/V/rpm45/14/2500
Regulated voltage V13,6-14,4

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar10,6
Oil pressure bar/rpm2,1-2,8/2400
Radiator cap bar1,05
Thermostat opens °C82
Drive belt size - alternator mm9,5x1250
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm10-15

Fuel system

Fuel pump delivery pressure bar0,25-0,35

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) are tightened in 3 stages: 40-50 Nm, then 60-70 Nm, then a final 88-96 Nm.

Cylinder head
Tighten40-50 Nm
Tighten60-70 Nm
Tighten88-96 Nm
Cylinder head instructions—
Other engine tightening torques
Main bearings Stage 135-38 Nm
Main bearings Stage 270-76 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 120-24 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 240-49 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate70-85 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt208 Nm
Spark plugs14-19 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Road wheels108 Nm

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 Series III 3.5?

The firing order for the Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

What spark plugs does the Land Rover Series III 3.5 use?

The Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) uses Champion RN9YCC spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Land Rover Series III 3.5 take?

The Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) takes 6.0 litres of engine oil with the filter. The specified engine oil grade is SAE 10W-40 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF.

What are the valve clearances for the Land Rover Series III 3.5?

Valve clearances on the Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) are hydraulic — they self-adjust, so no manual clearance figure applies.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Land Rover Series III 3.5?

The cylinder head bolts on the Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) are tightened in 3 stages: 40-50 Nm, then 60-70 Nm, then a final 88-96 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Land Rover Series III 3.5?

Basic ignition timing for the Land Rover Series III 3.5 (1979–1983) is 9° BTDC at 1400 rpm.