Did my head gaskets in the parking lot.
I think I put shop towel down each hole.
Had to roll it up into a sliver and get it down there.
Had no air.

I got really lucky.
Sorry about your '03 issues with those stud holes.

Have never used helicores.

 

@rovermastertech cocky much?
I am absolutely positive there was no coolant in the holes. The holes most likely to be filled with coolant, the holes directly below the coolant jackets, held their threads. It has been the threads on both sides of the block surrounding the inner two cylinders.


Thanks j fall, i have done 3, this is my forth, head gasket job on a rover, and I have never experienced these issues either. A time-sert Big-sert kit is on its way and should be here today. I'll let everyone know the results.

 

I found an ad for a 2001 4.0 engine - asking $300. The ad says it's "locked" Have no idea what that means as far as liners, etc, but PM me if interested and I'll send you the link.

 

UPDATE!

Well the Big-sert failed as well. As a final ditch effort I had a local shop TIG weld around the inserts and then deck the block(a friend owed me a favor so it was only 50 bucks). We had the block on an engine stand and on the final torque sequence one insert failed and pulled out. The weld held, but the block gave... Final decision was to take empty my bladder in cylinder # 8 and send it to the scrap yard. I pulled rotating assembly and all usable parts. By luck I found a running motor on Craigslist for 250!! What would everyone suggest for swapping my rotating assembly into this new motor? Timing chain, main bearings, cam bearings piston rings, what gaskets, new lifters, my motor only had 98,000 miles so I would think a lot of parts would be reusable.

 

Wow. It's disturbing that some of these engine blocks can have the strength of a cheese block.

Were you using arp studs on the last blowout?

 

I hate to say this..
Do the head gaskets on the new block now....
At 98K it will be due.
And maybe put a new water pump on it.
That is all I would do really...
But, I am conservative.

 

Head Gaskets as normal maintenance? What a Effing joke. Better do the HG at 95k or else the pile of crap won't last. Never has anyone had to replace head gaskets on other automobiles as a PM under normal circumstances. The best mileage most people get with the Land Rover is when it is on the tow truck hook. Just where it belongs. Good Grief.

MAK

 

Well I went and looked at the motor just no. It was definitively not a 4.6. Judging by the hole above the water pump, I would say it was a 3.9. Is it possible to use it still with my 4.6 internals?

Also, yes on ARP Studs. I have a hg kit from my current motor, I might as well use the thing lol!

 

to bad about the helicoils, I would have traded it as soon as it held preasure anyway.
if it is a 3.9 it could be a gems, better check the numbers. does it have an intake on it?

 

Yea, the lower intake looked exactly like my 98 disco intake. The numbers on the block were 38D0289A