Rover P6 - Well, Why Not?

[Junkman]

If the kickdown doesn't work, it means that your kickdown cable is not properly adjusted.

There has never been a more misleading name for a part, because the kickdown cable on a Borg Warner is - unlike on yank gearboxes - anything but a kickdown cable.

It governs the gearbox oil pressure for the full range. If it doesn't kick down, the oil pressure is too low, and the car will puke its gearbox in no time.

Guess why I know.

 

Yes, it does rev high with the original box. About 3500 @ 70 OMGMPH.

The ZF is effectively a 5-speed. Four gears, plus converter lockup, which you can actually count as another gear.

[danthecapriman]

P6's are lovely cars, in all variants. I'd buy one based on condition as apposed to spec, I'd rather have a nice, solid and reliable 2000 instead of a bodged up, rusty, on its last legs V8. Obviously the V8 is the one to have though and autos are always best imho, they ain't sports cars and an auto box in a big relaxing cruiser suits them, I think so anyway!

 

I used to look after an estate V8 auto version, for a customer when I worked in a garage. It had black leather seats and dark blue paint. It was stunning and I loved driving it, and working on it too. The estate is rare and the one I'd try to go for!

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

SC - single carb. TC - twin carb. That's it. Series II has sharp bonnet bulges and the black grille amongst other changes. Series 1 has a fabulous strip speedo. 

 

The series two retained the strip speedo right to the end in SC trim. I love the strip speedo, I'll really miss it on my V8.

 

DISCLAIMER: PHOTO TAKEN BY PASSENGER

[Pete-M]

I've had two V8s. One was a 75, the other a 72, but I grew up around P6 V8s.

 

The early P6 has the high compression engine which needs to be very carefully setup to run perfectly but copes happily enough on Super Unleaded to be usable daily.

 

The lower compression later engine is about 25 bhp down when running perfectly. The difference is noticeable and there's no fuel saving to be had. The later auto box is slightly smoother when right.

 

Both engines were designed for five star fuel. The compression ratio is stamped into the cylinder block. CR 10.5 is the 180 bhp one.

 

They hide camshaft wear well. Often the camshaft can be knackered and you won't hear it. It'll just be down on power and torque. The lack of power is more obvious. If it doesn't keep up with traffic easily there's something wrong. Unscrew the oil filler cap and look inside, ideally it'll be cleanish.if it's dark brown it needs help. Don't worry if the oil pressure light flickers slightly at idle when stationary, warm in drive. As long as the light goes straight out and nothing is rattling it'll be fine. Idle speed is around 650 rpm in neutral. It'll drop in drive.

 

Slightly hyperactive or lazy auto box shifts are often just kickdown cable adjustment. Check the fluid is reasonably clean.

 

Look at the sills, take a torch and peer in behind the covers from each end. P6s have inner, outer and cover sills. They rot and are a swine to get right. Also lift the rear seat squabs and check nothing is amiss. Diff mounts can go as can de dion mounts. Check the deDion tubes haven't rusted through. Also check front bulkhead by the spring mounts etc.

 

Brake servos can leak. Brakes should be very good. Check the handbrake works as it should. Adjusted correctly the lever should be easy to move and not travel above about 40°. If the rear calipers are sticking the heat will bugger up the diff oil seals.

 

Try and get one with PAS and Sundym glass. PAS ones steer a lot more sweetly and are a lot easier to live with, they have a smaller steering wheel with a wide Centre section. Non-PAS ones have a huge steering wheel and about 4.5 turns lock to lock.

 

The bonnet release is in the driver's shin bin. Lube the mechanism.

 

The boot mounted spare is a handy option if you carry any luggage. There should also be a locking brace to hold the boot open and a badge that goes on when the wheel isn't there. Don't slam the boot lid! There's a magic trick to shutting the P6 boot. Check the battery cover is intact and fitted. It's not unheard of for luggage to end up covered in battery goop or on fire when the cover is missing.

 

Check the fuel reserve tap isn't stuck. The lever to operate it looks like a heater control.

 

The light above the clock in round dial cars is for the choke.

 

The P6 likes to understeer. Ride quality should be very good indeed.

 

Around town it's not too hard to get 17 mpg from a high compression one. Maybe 25 mpg on a run. The later engine does slightly less mpg.

 

The four speed manual in the 3500S isn't very nice. It's also weak. Five speed from an SD1 brings quite a big improvement in motorway mpg and cruising revs.

 

The strange little white peg sticking out the side of the steering column is the wiper intermittent adjust.

[oman5]

I would say get the v8. I found the 4 cylinder sc version rather underwhelming. They're ok, but I found it hard to get enthusiastic over and some engine jobs are a bitch. They just don't feel like anything special. Sorry!

[rml2345]

Nothing I can really add to the sound advice but I much prefer the looks of the Series 1 and the delightful interior touches so would recommend that. Drove Peter's at Shitefest and it was a very enjoyable steer. Pretty heavy at parking speeds but nicely weighted on the road. They do roll a fair but felt grippy enough for some enthusiastic touring and the ride is superb. I rather liked the four speed manual and it didn't seem underpowered for what it was. I don't think an auto on a four cylinder car would be much fun though.

The P6 has always been my dream car so I was a bit nervous to dive one. Never meet your heroes and all that but they are bloody brilliant and I too need one of these things in my life at some point.

[phil_lihp]

Thanks for all the information, plenty to digest here.  I think it's got to be a Series II for the look, I think the difficulty might be finding a solid V8 in my meagre budget but there's no rush and plenty of time to look.

 

You can try mine. If it runs.

 

That's very kind!  Might just have to take you up on that if I'm in your area.  I'll bring a crucifix.

[Cavcraft]

Went on holiday in one about 1972 and loved it. Brave enough to own one? Not yet.

[Junkman]

Click here:

[cms206]

P6s look nice but never really did anything for me; I can vouch for the ZF 4HP22 though, it's the gearbox of choice for the 740 2.3 owning SVM brigade.

[Junkman]

I love the strip speedo, I'll really miss it on my V8.

 

You won't.

You will appreciate the entirely different charm of the soft green glow of the aeroplanesque instrumentation of the non-SC Series IIs.

[phil_lihp]

Click here:

 

I wanted to go to that, alas, finances and work mean I will have to miss it.

[Junkman]

I won't go due to cantbearsedness.

Car shows. Pah.

 

But for a prospective P6 buyer, it might be interesting.