Need Engine and tranny....

[skrufy]

Gents and Ladies-

I have a '95 3.9L/auto Discovery that we have owned since new. We live in the mountains at 8100 feet in the middle of a national forest. All our vehicles are 4WD- Ford Excusion, Dodge Dakota, and my restored '52 M38A1 Willys Army Jeep. By far, the Disco is the best offroad vehicle of the lot- no big surprise there. The Disco is in great shape, with the leather seats near perfect as they have been covered with OEM LR setcovers that I bought at HR Owens in NW London nearly since Day 1 of this Disco's life....

Without boring the forum of how I got into this unenviable position, I find myself in the situation of needing BOTH a new engine and transmission . I will add that the local shop responsible, the one not sticking with me in this, has lost a good customer forever...... The Disco is now at another shop that gives me much greater confidence...... Always looking for another excuse to visit the Snap-On truck, mechanic wise, I am in my -gasp!- 40th year of turning wrenches on my Porsche 911s. I don't have a lift or the time to start yanking the Disco apart

So, trying to research this forum gathers all sorts of opinions and options, so I guess this might start to be a thread that others can go to as well for information..... Some need an engine, some a gearbox, but probably not many needing both.....

As I see it for my Disco that only has a Kelly Blue Book value of $2800-3000 or so, I have 4 immediate options- and we want to keep the Disco:

1) rebuild both the existing 3.9 and the auto gearbox- possibly the cheapest option?

2) buy a new/ rebuilt 3.9 short/long block, same for the tranny.....

3) buy a 300 Tdi and matching manual gearbox from some of the importers- do the conversion......

4) using Marks 4WD Down Under, drop in a Small Block Chevy/GM w/ associated gearbox and be done
with struggling up the mountains around here forever.....

I know the idea of dropping in a SBC will offend some, but everyone has their opinion...... I have a unique opportunity to change everything. If this unique situation has been covered before in these forums, I apoligize- I didn't find the thread.....

The Disco has about 165k miles on the chassis. The original engine grenaded/threw a rod w/o warning/symptoms at about 115k miles. The present engine had about 70k miles on it when it was put in, for a total of about 120k miles on it now, and the gearbox only has about 13-14k miles on it.

I would appreciate any/all comments and advice. 300 Tdi or SBC wise, if someone has a list of all the parts needed and pitfalls of such a conversion, please chime in for the masses.... Checking ebay, Chevy crate engines cost anywhere from $700-800 to $4-5k for some horse power monster.... If I were to go SBC/GM
route, I want one as stock as possible. I don't need/want my Disco to be a street rocketship. The Porsches fill that square just fine.....

Thanks- Tim

 

[piper109]

If I was in your position, I would just do a search on Craigslist for another Disco, in towns that are not too far away and perhaps in friendlier climates. Keep the other one for spares and swap all the bits around till you like the result. They can be found in reasonable running order for less money than all of the solutions you have put forward I believe. I would look for a 99 SD, the last of the D1's

I myself converted a D1 to 300tdi and although it was not particularly difficult, it was not that cheap when all was said and done.(I went to UK and bought engine and tranny off ebay and shipped them back to US). I get 24 mpg instead of14.

 

[1920SF]

If you are going to stay V8, shoot for 4.6 ( or at least go 4.2 given your setup).

If you want it back in the fight the fastest without significant concern for the complication(s) of going gas -> diesel or a non LR engine the 4.6/4.2 route can do that and give you some HP too.

 

[singingcamel]

I would put the search out for another truck .

 

[jafir]

Isn't there someone selling kits for OM617 now?

 

[skrufy]

thank you for the replies.......

I am beginning to think about maybe just picking up a newer Disco as a quicker option- maybe.....

When you say drop in a 4.6 or 4.2, we are talking about LR engines correct? Coil Pak ignition started in '96 if I understand correctly, so what kind of mods are required to update my '95 I wonder?

What is an OM617 kit?

thanks-

Tim

 

[Tugela]

Skip the 300 TDI conversion. If you think you have a hard time getting up hills with a V8, the LR diesel is not going to be an improvement. For the cost involved, it will take a long time to break even on fuel savings.

If you decide to replace the engine, I agree that the 4.2 would be a good choice. It is the engine that LR put in the long wheelbase Range Rover Classic. It uses the same engine management system as your 3.9, so a straight swap, but will give you slightly better performance.

But if you're paying a shop to do the work, then money-wise I also agree that you'd be better off buying another Disco and keep the current one for spares. That would be more cost effective. Finding a good 95 might take some patience.

 

[jafir]

What is an OM617

It's a Mercedes turbo diesel. Dirt cheap in the salvage yards, and they run forever. I thought someone started making a kit to install them in Rovers, but it might just be defenders.

 

[jafir]

so what kind of mods are required to update my '95 I wonder?

A 4.2, as long as it came from a 95 with a serpentine belt, still has a distributor, so it would drop right in. A 4.0 or 4.6 from a newer rover would bolt up, but you'd need to convert to a cam and front cover that uses your distributor.

 

[edthediscoman]

The engine is not hard, the trans you can find used cheap..
Where are ya, maybe we can help.
Ed

 

[edthediscoman]

BTW, the blocks fit, 3.9, 4.0, 4.6.

Maybe it was a 4.2. However the distributor was in the early models. I like them, as its easy to fix. others want coils. Maybe I am old school

 

[kennith]

If it's served you well that long, I wouldn't sell it.

As far as the parts go, I'm a fan of rebuilding things. Often, it's possible to clean things up and make tuning and durability improvements. With it all out of the vehicle, you can easily end up with an engine that runs well, sparkles, and will stay that way for years.

Of course, depending on the failure, rebuilding might not be the best option. Even if you just buy a used engine, you'll have the freedom to clean it up and improve it. It's not every day the engine is on a stand just begging for all the little details that can't reasonably be accomplished otherwise.

With all the available Rover engines, it's an easy and relatively cheap task to find a replacement.

As for the transmission, rebuilt and even improved units can be had from Ashcroft, by way of Lucky 8. You can just buy a used transmission, though.

With these two failures, you've got a wonderful excuse to really dig in and get things as perfect as you want. You've got other cars, so you have the ability to park the Rover while you work.

That's a great situation in which to find yourself.

Don't drop Chevy stuff in there. It's just not cool, man.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[Nomar]

It's a Mercedes turbo diesel. Dirt cheap in the salvage yards, and they run forever. I thought someone started making a kit to install them in Rovers, but it might just be defenders.

 

[robertf]

That badge should be printed backwards and put it on the front of the vehicle, no one is going to be behind an om617 vehicle long enough to read that.

 

[jafir]

That badge should be printed backwards and put it on the front of the vehicle, no one is going to be behind an om617 vehicle long enough to read that.

I will be behind it unfortunately. I turn the flashers on when I try to merge my 2.5NA onto the highway because it moves so slow.

 

[jafir]

That's pretty awesome.

Does anyone know where to buy a similar OE style land rover emblem? I know most of the series rovers came with them, and the NAS defenders had something similar with the serial number. I think I'd like an old school emblem for my ex-mod 90.

 

[robertf]

Kips Motors in Dallas.

http://www.kipmotor.com/

 

[jafir]

Kips Motors in Dallas.

http://www.kipmotor.com/

Nice! Thanks.

http://www.kipmotor.com/Auto_Jumble/LandRover_Parts.htm

EDIT: found some cool ones on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rove...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20cca45536

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rove...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2327cb2eb9

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rove...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item231f97b696

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rove...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20ce31db3f

 

[Nomar]

That badge should be printed backwards and put it on the front of the vehicle, no one is going to be behind an om617 vehicle long enough to read that.

Hey now, the owner of this badge and the OM617 powered 110 was able to cruise at 75mph to the Conclave and Uwharrie last year!

 

[jafir]

Hey now, the owner of this badge and the OM617 powered 110 was able to cruise at 75mph to the Conclave and Uwharrie last year!

Some OM617 are turbo, and some are not. Maybe that's the difference. I don't think I could go 75 unless someone was towing me. I did make it slightly over 100km/h once.