Land Rover Series III

1973 Land Rover Series III 88-inch Petrol — Vehicle Identification

IdentificationNumber / DetailSource / Notes
Chassis / VIN90302754ASolihull identification plate; also recorded on Australian compliance plate
Engine serial number90137598AStamped on engine block; 901 prefix denotes original 8:1 compression petrol engine
Engine block casting number541874Raised casting number
Cylinder head casting number568750Raised casting number on cylinder head
Body numberLRS 16954Pressed Metal Corporation, Sydney
Body serial number6816954Pressed Metal Corporation, Sydney
Australian compliance date08/1973Leyland Motor Corporation of Australia Ltd
Australian model designationLAND ROVER 3STAustralian compliance plate
Solihull model designationLAND-ROVER 88 PETROL SERIES IIIManufacturer's identification plate
ItemDetails
ModelLand Rover 88 Petrol, Series III
ManufacturerRover–British Leyland UK Ltd, Solihull, England
Chassis number90302754A
Australian compliance dateAugust 1973 (8/73)
Australian compliance plate manufacturerLeyland Motor Corporation of Australia Ltd
Australian body manufacturerPressed Metal Corporation Ltd, Sydney
Body numberLRS 16954
Body serial number6816954
Seating capacity3
Maximum laden weight2,020 kg (4,453 lb)
Maximum front axle weight830 kg (1,828 lb)
Maximum rear axle weight1,190 kg (2,625 lb)
Recommended maximum towing capacity2 tons
Australian Design Rules1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 20

Land Rover Series III — 2¼-litre Petrol Engine Tuning Data

ComponentSpecificationValue
EngineTypeIn-line four-cylinder, four-stroke, overhead valves
Capacity2,286 cm³ (139.5 cu in)
Compression ratio — standard8.0:1 (engine number commencing 901)
Firing order1–3–4–2
Compression pressure — 8:111.2 kgf/cm² (160 psi)
Idling speed500 rev/min
Fast idle setting1.40 mm (0.055 in) throttle butterfly clearance; 1,200 ± 50 rev/min
Ignition timing and valves8:1 static timingTDC with 90-octane fuel; 3° BTDC with 85-octane fuel
Timing marksOn crankshaft pulley
Valve clearance — inlet and exhaust0.25 mm (0.010 in)
DistributorMake/typeLucas 45D
Rotor rotationAnti-clockwise
Contact breaker gap0.36–0.40 mm (0.014–0.016 in)
Condenser capacity0.2 microfarad
Serial number5069
Centrifugal advance4500 rev/min38°–42° crankshaft angle
3500 rev/min30°–34°
2500 rev/min22°–26°
1200 rev/min12°–16°
900 rev/min4°–12°
600 rev/min0°–4°
Below 450 rev/minNo advance
Vacuum advanceStarts89 mm (3.5 in) Hg
Finishes635 mm (25.0 in) Hg
Spark plugs8:1 compressionChampion N12Y or Unipart GSP131
NGK alternative (added)NGK BP5E or BP5ES
Electrode gap0.75–0.80 mm (0.029–0.032 in)
Ignition coilMake/typeHA12
Primary resistance at 20°C3.0–3.5 ohms
Consumption at idleApproximately 2.0 amps
CarburettorMake/typeZenith 36IV
Choke diameter27 mm
Main jet125
Compensating (enrichment) jet150
Pump jet / needle valve65 (short stroke, outer hole) / 1.75
High-altitude carburettor jetsMain jet 1201524–2133 m (5000–7000 ft)
Main jet 117.52133–2743 m (7000–9000 ft)
Main jet 1152743–3657 m (9000–12000 ft)
Main jet 112.5 / slow-running jet 553657–4267 m / 2743–4267 m respectively

Source: Land Rover Series III workshop manual, p. 05-1, Engine Tuning Data. Original ignition timing fuel octane figures are historical specifications and should not be equated directly with modern Australian RON ratings. Centrifugal advance figures are with vacuum advance disconnected.

Permanent Live Fuse Box

Fuse pinDescriptionFuse
1Horn relay feed10 A
2 Low beam relay feed 15 A
3Main beam relay feed15 A
4Ignition switch feed 5 A
5 Main beam flash/
interior lamp/
Dashcam + Batt		10 A
6Ignition relay feed25 A

Ignition Live Fuse Box

Fuse pinDeutch connector pinDescriptionFuse
1A1Headlamp switch pin 47.5 A
2A2Blower10 A
3A3Spare 
4A4USB/
Auxiliary/
Voltage meter		10 A
5A5Alternator warning/
Oil pressure/
Voltage stabiliser		5 A
6A6Coil +5 A
7B1Dashcam + Acc5 A
8B2Horn trigger on stalk5 A
9B3Wipac LED blinker7.5 A
10B4Wipers and washer7.5 A
11B5Reverse lamp feed 5 A
12B6Brake lamp feed5 A

Torque Wrench Settings

Component / fastenerkgf·mlbf·ft
Engine — 2¼-litre 4-cylinder
Connecting rod cap nuts3.525
Main bearing cap bolts — petrol engines, 3-bearing11.585
Main bearing cap bolts — diesel engines13.8100
Cylinder head bolts — petrol engines, 5/16 in. UNF2.418
Cylinder head bolts — petrol engines, 1/2 in. UNF8.965
Cylinder head bolts — diesel engines, 5/16 in. UNF2.418
Cylinder head bolts — diesel engines, 1/2 in. UNF12.590
Rocker shaft bolts — petrol engines, 5/16 in. UNF2.418
Rocker shaft bolts — petrol engines, 1/2 in. UNF8.965
Rocker shaft bolts — diesel engines, 5/16 in. UNF2.418
Rocker shaft bolts — diesel engines, 1/2 in. UNF12.590
Starter dog — petrol engines27.6200
Starter dog — diesel engines27.6200
Flywheel bolts8.5–9.060–65
Oil filter bolts — canister to housing1.6612
Oil filter bolts — housing to cylinder block3.4525
Engine sump bolts1.6512
Manifold and exhaust system — 2¼-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Induction manifold to exhaust manifold nuts2.317
Clutch
Clutch cover bolts2.48–3.0418–25
Gearbox
Output drive flange nut11.7585
Layshaft bolt (apply Loctite 601)7.0050
Rear axle and final drive
Hub driving flange bolts4.2–5.230–38
Salisbury type axles — differential case bolts9.1–10.466–75
Salisbury type axles — crownwheel bolts15.3–17.3111–125
Salisbury type axles — differential bearing cap bolts12.9–14.593–105
Salisbury type axles — differential cover bolts2.8–3.520–25
Rover type axles
Bevel pinion driving flange nut11.7585
Crownwheel bolts5.5–6.240–45
Differential bearing cap bolts7.0–8.950–65
Hub driving flange nut1.4–2.010–15
Front axle and final drive
Hub driving flange bolts4.2–5.230–38
Hub driving flange nut2.0–2.715–20
Bevel pinion driving flange nut11.7585
Crown wheel bolts5.5–6.240–45
Differential bearing cap bolts7.0–8.950–65
Upper swivel pin bolts7.0–8.950–65
Lower swivel pin nuts7.0–8.950–65
Steering
Steering wheel nut5.440
Ball joint nuts4.030
Relay lever pinch bolts7.655
Steering box to support bracket bolts7.0–8.550–60
Steering box support bracket to chassis bolts2.015
Steering box drop arm nut8.5–11.060–80
Road wheel nuts10.3–11.775–85
Brakes
Wheel cylinder bleed nipple0.5–0.84–6
Master cylinder to servo nuts2.2–2.616–19
Tipping valve retainer (dual system master cylinder)4.9–6.235–45
Brake failure switch and pipe union2.216
Brake failure switch unit to housing2.216
Fluid reservoir to master cylinder bolt (single line servo)2.8–3.520–25
Fluid reservoir to master cylinder screws (dual line servo models)0.3–0.42–3
Servo assembly securing nuts1.29
Suspension — all models
Leaf spring ‘U’ bolts front and rear8.058
Shackle nuts and bolts8.3–9.760–70
Windscreen wipers and washers
Wiper blade drive adaptor bolts0.34 (34 kgf·cm)2.5 (30 lbf·in)
Electrical equipment
Alternator shaft nut3.5–4.225–30
Starter motor — petrol models
Starter through bolts1.08

Source: Land Rover Series III workshop manual, torque wrench settings, pp. 06-1–06-2 (photographed pages). Values transcribed as printed. Verify against the applicable manual and vehicle specification before use.

Engine Compression Test — 10 October 2026

CylinderCompression (psi)Compression (bar)
11208.27
21208.27
31208.27
41258.62
Average121.258.36

Test conditions: Engine warm, throttle fully open.

Documents
Land rover wiring 20261020.pdf (140.8 KB)