Open the app

Bulkhead Workshop › Land Rover models › Land Rover Series I 1.6 / 2.0 petrol › Specs & manuals

Land Rover Series I 1.6 / 2.0 petrol specs and manuals

Series I (1948–58) · 1948–1958

Model data

Built1948–1958
Engine1.6 L petrol I4, about 50 bhp (1948–51); 2.0 L petrol I4, 52 hp (1950–58)
Gearbox & 4WD4-speed manual with 2-speed transfer box. Freewheel part-time 4WD until 1950, then dog-clutch selectable 4WD
Wheelbases80 in (1948–53) · 86 in (1954–56) · 88 in (1956–58) · 107 in (1954–56) · 109 in (1956–58)
NotesFirst 107 in five-door station wagon September 1955. Spread-bore 2.0 petrol from mid-1954.

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil20W-50 (10W-40 in cold climates); a classic oil with ZDDP suits the flat-tappet cam
Oil capacity≈6.2 L (6½ US qt) excluding filter
Coolant≈10.4 L (2¾ US gal), 50% ethylene-glycol antifreeze
Air filterOil-bath cleaner, ≈0.85 L (1.8 US pt) engine oil
Main gearbox90W or 85W-90 GL-4, ≈1.4 L (1½ US qt). Avoid GL-5: its additives attack the bronze bushes
Transfer box90W or 85W-90 GL-4, ≈2.6 L (2¾ US qt)
Differentials90W or 85W-90 GL-4: Rover type ≈1.7 L (1¾ US qt) each; Salisbury rear ≈2.8 L (3 US qt); ENV rear ≈1.2 L, front ≈1.6 L
Swivel housings90W or 85W-90 GL-4, ≈0.57 L (1.2 US pt) each side
Steering90W or 85W-90 GL-4 in steering box and relay, as needed
BrakesDOT4 (Castrol LMA or equivalent). Don't mix with silicone DOT5
Clutch hydraulicsDOT4 (separate master cylinder)

Settings & torque figures

Contact breaker gap0.014–0.016 in (0.35–0.40 mm)
Spark plugs0.032 in (0.80 mm); Champion RN11YC or NGK BP5ES (BP6ES on 1985-on engines)
Valve clearances0.010 in (0.25 mm), hot or cold
Timing6° BTDC (8:1 compression) as a starting point; firing order 1-3-4-2
Wheel nut torque75–85 lbf ft (102–115 Nm) civilian wheels; 100 lbf ft Wolf wheels
Other torque figuresCylinder head 65 lbf ft · main caps 85 lbf ft · rocker pedestals 18 lbf ft · crank pulley 150 lbf ft
Road spring U-bolts55–60 lbf ft; re-torque every 12,000 mi
Spring shackle bolts60–70 lbf ft
Fuel tankUnder-seat 12 US gal (≈45 L); rear tank 19 US gal (≈72 L)

Workshop manuals

Haynes and Land Rover don't offer a way for other sites to read their manuals directly. Keep your manual open alongside this page, and when you're stuck, photograph the relevant page and add it to a diagnosis so the AI can read it with your vehicle's details.

Track your own Land Rover

Add your vehicle to Bulkhead Workshop to see what is due now, tick off jobs as you go, keep a service history and order the parts in one basket. It is free and saved in your own browser.

Open Bulkhead Workshop