After agonizing over whether to buy a used engine or rebuild, have finally decided on rebuild of 04 Discovery II (after losing bid on a 04 motor with 60K miles that went for $1,000) that was given to my son with an alleged slipped sleeve . The mechanic of owner that that gave it to my son said it was a slipped sleeve on cylinder 4 and that it would cost him $8K to rebuild. The damage was allegedly caused by an overheat situation (after same mechanic replaced radiator -- hmmm), and that the engine would suck down coolant when hot. We have only run it for 30-60 seconds at a time to avoid overheating it and damaging things further.

Assuming we get the heads off and conclude that it is in fact a slipped sleeve and not something "easier", e.g., head gasket or warped head, I am trying to estimate the cost.

I know a new bare block from RLParts is about $600. From there I am guessing the minimum needed new from bottom up is:

oil pan gasket
main bearings
bearing bolts (or studs and nuts)
crankshaft seals (front and rear, right)
connecting rod bolts (or studs and nuts)
piston rings
camshaft bearings
camshaft seals
head gasket kit
head bolts
timing cover gasket
water pump gasket
180 degree thermostat (so it doesn't happen again)

I don't plan to rebuild the heads or otherwise re-machine anything else (crank, rods, camshaft) unless I have to or you guys strongly advise me to. And I will reuse whatever I can to keep the cost down, e.g., timing chain, sprockets, etc., so long as it isn't setting me up for a failure.

Does this sound about right?


Austin Land Rover Bill

The rest of my fleet in order of age:

2007 Saab 9-3
2004 Saab 9-3 (once you learn to work on one, why not buy another and apply that knowledge)
2004 Chrysler Town & Country (only car we ever bought new)
2004 Land Rover Discovery II (vehicle in question here)
2003 Honda Insight (amazing technology -- took it apart as soon as I got it home to understand how it works)
1996 Saab 900 convertible (total beater -- my son's daily driver, bulletproof motor)
1986 Porsche 944 (also given to my son by a different friend)
1973 1/2 Porsche 911T (fully restored by me -- the jewel of the collection)
1969 VW Sand Rail ('69 vintage VIN)
1940 Ford 2 Door Sedan (given to my son by yet another friend - he's got a reputation as the patron saint of failed mid-life crises car projects)

 

Other items you may consider after tear down & inspection:
- oil pump gears
- timing chain & gears
- water pump
- camshaft
- lifters
- valve springs (old ones should be tested by shop rebuilding the heads)
- rocker shafts & arms

 

"I know a new bare block from RLParts is about $600." if new blocks are only $600 i'll then a couple.
also trying to rebuild a motor without machine surfaces is a waste of time and money, IMO.
you might as well put the old rod, main and cam bearing back in, they are going to look the same in a very short while.

how many miles are on the original engine that you are going to use parts off of?

i can see you not wanting to spend $5600 on a new complete motor, but you would be better off continuing to look for a used 4.0 or 4.6 than spend money rebuilding a engine using new and used parts together. IMO

to quote a LR Expert "I never saw LR crankshaft that didn't need to be cut"

 

to quote a LR Expert "I never saw LR crankshaft that didn't need to be cut"


good quote...I'm saving that one to the top of my files, so I will always see it and remember it!

 

Current engine that I want to cannibalize parts from has about 110K on it. Really regretting not bidding a little higher on that 64K mile engine that went for $1,200 shipped.

 

Current engine IN THE TRUCK that I want to cannibalize parts from has about 110K on it. Really regretting not bidding a little higher on that 64K mile engine that went for $1,200 shipped.

 

one thing "I" have notice about that site, is every engine they find no matter what size or year is always like under 70k.
you might want do a search someone bought an engine from them and did not have the best of luck. if I remember correctly (I have never delt with them)