I've been working on my 2001 Disco II SE replacing the head gaskets. It has led to replacing the timing chain gasket. As long as I was doing so, I figured a new timing chain might as well be in order. When I took off the intake manifold and exposed the pushrods and lifters, I noted that one of the pushrods had lost the round end piece, so I ordered all new pushrods and since the lifter where the damaged pushrod was located seemed to be marked up on the hydraulic insert, I decided to go ahead and install all new lifters. Since the thermostat was aged and the hoses didn't look to good, I replaced all of them.

I had to take off the oil pan gasket in order to release the timing cover gasket and I'm wondering whether I should replace the main bearings while the pan is off. I mean, it has 134,000 miles and I sometimes would think I could hear a deep knock when the engine was idling before doing all this work. I remember as a boy I changed out my main bearings on my 69 Camaro by removing the lower cap and using a small punch, tapped the upper bearing in the piston arm around the crank until it could be grabbed and popped out the rest of the way. I simply moved the crank around until all piston arms were at the lowest position and then changed out the bearnings. Anyone know if this is possible with a Rover?

I also have the heads off and I'm replacing the valve seals. With 134k miles, do the valve springs need to be replaced as well?

 

You can do all of the mains except the farthest back. You may get into the rear main seal and then you have to drop the tranny to get to it. It is just like you are thinking, though. This is nothing more than an old Buick 215.

Springs should be fine, but as long as you are doing all of that stuff, why not? Are you replacing the cam? Consider one from a 4.6 to increase lift.