New 2003 Discovery purchase - Needs engine

[ceomilord]

Hey guys.
I came across a very nice white on Blk 2003 Disco SE7 that I just purchased for my wife. The previous owner let it overheat twice, took it to be pressure tested and was told it needed new head gaskets BUT could possibly need a new engine. I'm buying this expecting the worse. I'm thinking that it'll need a new engine, plus this will be towing my wife and 5 month old son around so I'd rather be safe than sorry. The plan is to keep it for a while and maybe turn into a wheeler down the road. We have a 2001 p38 (my DD) and a 1992 RRC County (project car). So this will be my wife's DD for the next few years.
My question is......I'm looking to find an engine and don't mind spending some cash to have peace of mind. I don't want to put in a 4.0L since it came with a 4.6L and I view that as a downgrade. Plus, I love the 4.6L in my p38. Actually, I wouldn't mind even improving the 4.6L with more hp. East Coast Rovers website got me thinking :drool: Called them and they only work on Defenders though. Should I attempt to do head gaskets ($1200 quote) and see if that cures the problem? Is it possible to rebuild the one I currently have and upgrade cams, lifters, etc? Should I just bypass all that and throw a new motor in? If so, Is there anywhere that sells rebuilt motors with all the fixings completed (ARP head stud kit, felpro gasket kit, etc)? What would you do if you were me? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[DiscoRover007]

It is completely possible to rebuild your motor and I'm willing to bet your motor is still salvageable. It just depends what damage is done, but many have gotten by just changed head gaskets in a parking lot if that gives you perspective.

But for me personally I would love to eventually put a Turner 4.6 in my Discovery. They offer the LR 4.6 but with with iron flanged liners, sports torque cam shaft, and gas flowed cylinder heads. You'd be getting a motor with more hp,torque, and fuel economy, and won't have the same issues as the original LR 4.6. But it will be costly, but you are getting quality, built to last product.

But you can also find good used blocks all over the place and start from the ground up. I guess it would depend on what your budget is and if you want a project engine to work on yourself.

http://turner-engineering.co.uk/html/V8enginesreman.html

These guys offer the same sort of deal

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAND-ROVER-ENGINE-REMANUFACTURED-4-6-LONG-BLOCK-W-FLANGED-CYLINDER-LINERS-/270790265481?fits=Make:Land%20Rover|Modeliscovery&hash=item3f0c5b8a89&item=270790265481&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Something that might also be fun is to pick up a used block from a junk yard. We get Disco's at pull apart occasionally. It could probably be had pretty cheap and then you can get all the internals and build it up whenever you have time. In the mean time you could change your head gaskets and keep original running, and when the time comes you've got a motor ready to go.

 

[ukoffroad]

Nomar just did this, put a RR 4.6 in it and should be no worries. Check the parts threads for engines, I think Joel at buckhorn just had one for sale.
I just rebuilt my 01, if it was toast this is what I would have done.

 

[ceomilord]

Thanks for the info fellas. It's awfully tempting to put a big ol engine there. I guess we'll start with the head gaskets & ARP stud kit and see how she does....Should I add a cam or just see how she runs first? Sorry for being clueless...I'm just asking what my mechanic is asking me.

 

[listerdiesel]

It's a fair bit of work to do the gaskets etc etc and find out that it is indeed wrecked.

On the other hand, there are many smaller issues with the Discovery engines that can show symptoms of overheating but which are in fact cooling system related and not the actual engine.

If it was me, I'd pull the heads and get them checked, then inspect the block and liners very closely.

If it looks OK, it probably stands a fair chance of being usable, so carry on with reassembly. Use a quality Reintz or other brand gasket set, change the water pump and thermostat, regardless, and see how it goes.

Check the radiator air bleed pipe and needle is clear, that silly little device causes a lot of grief when it clogs up.

Peter

 

[Blue]

Is Turner still shipping blocks to the US?

 

[ceomilord]

Listerdiesel, would this be a good kit to order for head gaskets? http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/STC4082BK.cfm

Then, I'll order the ARP stud kit from Summit Racing.

 

[ukoffroad]

Tillery had a smoking deal on all the stuff needed to do a head gasket.

 

[Tugela]

Tillery had a smoking deal on all the stuff needed to do a head gasket.

And his shiz is the bomb. PT Schram sells the kit, too. At least he used to.

 

[turbodave]

The roverparts gasket set has elring gaskets that have holograms so you're sure they're 100% genuine. Other sets might also, or they might not... Just sayin!

 

[RoverbyProxy]

Make sure they inspect the engine for slipped liner, most likely the lower end is damaged as well if it overheated as bad as you think

 

[RoverbyProxy]

[

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAND-ROVER-ENGINE-REMANUFACTURED-4-6-LONG-BLOCK-W-FLANGED-CYLINDER-LINERS-/270790265481?fits=Make:Land%20Rover|Modeliscovery&hash=item3f0c5b8a89&item=270790265481&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Something that might also be fun is to pick up a used block from a junk yard. We get Disco's at pull apart occasionally. It could probably be had pretty cheap and then you can get all the internals and build it up whenever you have time. In the mean time you could change your head gaskets and keep original running, and when the time comes you've got a motor ready to go.[/quote]

Maybe discomike knows what kind of superglue they use on their liners:rofl:

 

[jimjet]

Didnt read all threads thoroughly
my opinion as i did it all
Dont waste your money on another head gasket job i did it three times and finaly changed the engine.
especially if your looking for dependability ( ha ha ha You dont get this in a brand new rover)but since your wife and kids are in it go stock brand new no messing around.

I had land rover do it to let them worry about the warranty.
new engine brand new with modified liners and a few other internal good things i was told.
new head assemblies complete.
eng- 4800.00
heads -2500.00 x2 = 5000
I also did
new oil pump with timeing case cover (cover 800.00)
new exhaust (atlantic british with borla TP)
new radiator
new water pump
new fan clutch
14800.00
I did many other things basicly dumping around 20,000 into it.
but i love the truck and cant replace it with anything that suits me as she does.
so now im at basicly zero miles.
i had recently done all the hubs sensors driveshafts front, rear -shocks and springs 2nd time-
bushings brakes rotors brake lines
and i have a transmission sitting on the shelf from marty.
yes i love my rover
not sure why.

P.S.
Now the bitch is sagging her headliner
cant win
thought i thought of everything

 

[jafir]

$14,000?! I have better things to do with my money.

 

[The Fourth Amigo]

I purchased a complete long block from Turner almost two years ago. I'm pleased with it. It was around $6000. The T-top liners are what sold me. I was afraid that a standard used engine would have the same problems as the original or it's own separate problems.

 

[Rickinaurora]

I just today finished rebuilding my son's 2003 Discovery 2 4.6. I did it for about $2000.00 And it runs great. I replaced everything. Got most of the parts from the UK. Much cheaper. I will be starting my 1998 D1 Next week. Making it a 4.6

 

[ceomilord]

Rickinaurora, where did you get the parts to rebuild for only $2k? What all did you redo. I appreciate all the feedback guys and would love to redo the whole truck and start at zero miles, but spending $20k just isn't in the budget.

 

[ROVERT]

The roverparts gasket set has elring gaskets that have holograms so you're sure they're 100% genuine. Other sets might also, or they might not... Just sayin!

The Elrings I got from Will about a month ago came in the hologram packaging.

 

[Rickinaurora]

http://www.v8engines.com/index.html

Rovers North, and Atlantic British.
Look for the lowest price and ask for price match.
I also found other parts from the UK. I will be doing a cost breakdown and who I got the best deal from later today. Homework will save you a bunch and get OEM parts.

 

[ceomilord]

Ok guys, Just called the previous owners mechanic (where the car is getting towed home from) and got the following info....

"The engine is sending combustion pressure into the cooling system and has caused the coolant reservor to crack. It's the 2nd one we've been through so I would get a new motor if I were you (considering its history)"

I don't know if that means anything, but I just thought the update could be good. Should I now bag the head gaskets and just replace the whole motor? Pull the heads off and look for cracks? Would they even be visible?