Heat - flatten/hold - quench with water.

 

I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. If I rotate the crank, will that bring the flywheel around so I can attempt to straighten it? If not, I've already sourced a used one on eBay for $150 + shipping. The only problem is I don't have the tools or the know-how to replace it, so I'd have to have it towed to a shop and pay big $$$. Oh well, moving forward...

 

You mean with a torch?

 

Yes, a torch. The job is so small you could rent a small oxy/acetylene set. The tab ring is so thin you could probably use a mapp gas bottle torch to just get it hot enough to bend easily. I don't know for sure, haven't had the pleasure yet..... you never know.

As far as replacing the flywheel, not so hard really. You know the bolt you put the wrench on, undo those, separate the motor enough to get to the crank mount bolts for the flywheel, drop old - plop new in. The most you'd need is an engine hoist, the rest would be all hand tools you can buy at Sears...... if you don't have em already. It would be a weekend job at most.

By the way, earlier this year my second born poured power steering fluid in his brake res. He has a Ford Superduty Powerstroke with Fifthwheel hitch which was in pristine condition. I thought he'd flushed it and replaced all the parts by the time I got to his place (he hadn't). What I thought was going to be a fairly routine ops check ride turned into making the garage a drive thru....... never mind that the door was down........ We backed out, went for a short ride (brakes good) came back and wham bam kaboom. That cost about $2800 and two pairs of shorts. Good thing he's a carpenter and has an account at the local builder's supply palace. He didn't claim any of it, the truck looked like it was punched in the nose, it pushed a steel workbench right through the back wall out into the yard. That's what did all the damage to his bumper and grill - his workbench.....lol. I couldn't stop laughing but I said the F word more times in one sentence than I should've which will keep me out of Heaven for at least five minutes more.

 

Well, I'm definitely trying the torch option first. I have a hand-held I've used to heat copper lines for replacing the water heater in my house. If that doesn't work, how do I separate the motor and where?

Great story by the way. Hilarious.

 

It would take me forever to lay it out in detail. The service manual for Rovers is called the "Rave". Do a google search on it, it'll show up. landroverresource.com - 590mb file download. It's in .pdf format so you'll need acrobat reader. The Rave is a free download.

 

I downloaded the RAVE manual a few months ago and was reading through it earlier tonight looking for the best way to replace the flywheel if necessary. So the section I should be looking for is engine removal or transmission removal?... Or both?... Haha just kidding... Well, maybe not... I don't have a hoist or a hydraulic lift, just four tires on the ground in the driveway and a pretty tight budget. I should probably get a second job so I can actually afford to drive this thing. Having a 2" lift is a blessing though, it's made the work considerably easier. Just trying to keep a good sense of humor.

 

I've got a '95 (5-speed) and I don't remember seeing that ring in mine. I was just in there too, in fact I still have the inspection plate taken off. I guess the difference being mine is OBD1??

This is another way to break those bolts loose. I've never had to do it on this yet but it works on other cars. Have your socket attached to a long enough breaker bar to reach the frame and use the starter to bump the engine just enough to just break it free.

 

The 96 - 99 1/2 NAS Discos are crank fired ignition, 94/95 NAS have a distributor.

 

Yes and you can rent the lifts. Basically you'd be removing the radiator, engine mounts, exhaust down tubes, separating the engine from trans and sliding forward to reach the flywheel to crank bolts. Not easy, nothing ever is but it's the most straight forward IF you cannot get the teeth straight. We've had users bend teeth before, just not so many at one time! Just do your level best and don't be in a rush and it should eventually come out ok, if not - plan B. If you have to go plan B there are several people all of us long timers can point you to to buy a flywheel from. They're very trusted folks here and not one of us doesn't have a part or parts on our own trucks from them. K?