I'm about to start working on a 97 discovery. The head gaskets are supposedly blown. I have not tested anything yet, nor have had it running. I do see ALOT of oil covering the right side of the block and down pipe. You can also see the excess of the head gasket that it looks blown out, it looks like a large amount of compression blew it out. I'm mainly looking for any hints or tips on these LR 4.0 engines, or is there anything that I need to be aware of?

 

https://landroverforums.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=21328

Here are the main things that you will need to know, you MUST use premium gas, no ifs ands or buts about it.
The LR engine is one of the most bullet proof engines in the world.
They are sold all over the world in every country on earth and most never see pavement in their whole life.
Thats really all you need to know, you MUST use premium gas.
The 3.9, 4.0 and 4.6 are all the same engine, just different bore and stroke.

 

once you get the intake off, you are looking at a Buick 215. Same thing, just an old pushrod aluminum engine. Nothing too scary.

Be sure to check your liners, cylinder walls, and timing set while you have it apart. Another $100 on timing chain and gears will make you a lot happier than having to tear things down again.

Bad news is that if it blew a gasket and overheated, the engine is really prone to dropping a liner. This will completely kill the engine. Get another one.

 

Make sure you have the heads resurfaced and to include a valve job. Mine were severly warped and had a bent exhaust valve.

 

I've never seen nor heard of a head gasket blowing this bad. I had it running for 5 seconds, turned it off and started tearing it down. Yes it was that bad. The only real diagnosing I done involved a peice of paper gued to a stick. Here is the reason why http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ork/HGonLR.jpg

And when I tore it down, here is one everyone will love.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...rk/HGonLR2.jpg

okdiscoguy, your wrong. On this one anyway, it's a normal iron block.

I do work on any vehicles, besides Nissan's which I work at a Nissan dealer and don't want to think about them after work. The guy already know's I can't gurantee ANYTHING. I found 2 broke drillbits and metal shavings ontop of the intake gasket/tray. One plug was half way cross threaded. He just wants the absolute bare essiantals for it to run, not even wanting anything cleaned. The head IS warped but within spec, gave him advice and he said no. Once it runs after the head gasket job and I get payed I will never see that poor POS again.

I am a MOD on another forum and hate 1 post wonders, which is why I replied back.

 

It should have an aluminum block, well the bosch engines do, not sure about the GEMS I assumed they have an aluminum block though.

 

I've never seen a magnet attract to aluminum, nor get rusty.

 

ALL Land Rover engines are aluminum, the cylinder liners are steel, but not the blocks or heads.

 

It says so in the shop manual also.