have a chance to buy a 96 disco for cheap butwith blown head gasket. what might i be getting myself into.it has 95k on the odometer

 

head gaskets are weak. The block and heads are aluminum. May have warped a head, and if run hot, could have dropped a liner. If it drops a liner, the block is toast. If you get it, buy it cheap. There are a few places to get the kits reasonable. Another thing to think about is doing a valve job with the heads off. These things run rich and are prone to losing exhaust valves due to carbon build up. Be prepared to do more than just changing the gasket.

The good news is that they are relatively easy to do. The motor is based off a 1960's model buick. Go to rover-renovations.com and they will send you a Rave cd with the workshop manual free. Has the procedure listed....

 

Is it running, if so, check for coolant on the dip stick, also check inside the oil fill cap to see if you have any coolant showing up as a whitish build up.
If eithet, the engine may have take too much heat.
What sort of price is he asking for it?

 

thanx for the info .i can getit for 500. it's in ruff shape as far as cosmetics go but not looking for a cream puff .will be used for play .i've got a qoute from a co. here in Atl.for 600.00for complete kit to do the whole job including two recon. heads.also 600.00 for new radiator cause that is what he said cause the whole prob.

 

Your quotes for a head gasket replacement is way off. Best price is around $1400 to $2400 depending on the shop and that does not include reconditioned heads, which if you are lucky you might find for around $200 plus a piece.
If the radiator caused the problem and the engine wasn't shut down fast enough it may be toasted, but at a cost of $500 you won't get hurt.

 

thanx for the info will keep you posted.btw the quote was for parts only, does that sound right? thats complete gasket set for the heads andintake, exhaust,and whatever else it would need plus 2 recon heads

 

sounds like a good deal. The kit with bolts will run around $200, and with the heads at $200 a piece, sounds like a good deal.

 

A re-con rad will cost you $300.00 or so from RoverLandParts.com.

If you get into this sorta work, take pics! We'd love to see it in action.!