Use a wobble socket or one of these. Also use a adapter as these are 3/8 and use a 1/2" breaker bar ... They are cheap at harbor freight...

Chris

7 Piece 1/2" Drive Metric Impact Swivel Socket Set

 

standard length, 6 point, 5/8 impact socket with a 4 inch extension and a breaker bar.

 

Some people have found that a standard socket will break when removing the head bolts so might want to get an impact socket if this happens to you.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

Using a breaker bar is key. I had been using my 1/2 drive ratchet but the head is too fat no matter what socket combo I used.
Yesterday I bought a set of impact sockets (3/8). Using the 5/8 socket and 3/8 to 1/2 adapte is just enough to clear the head while still letting my attach the breaker bar. For extra umph I slid the handle from my floor jack over the breaker bar. I held it on while I had some one else apply the pressure. It worked great. On a few bolts.

When got to the 4th one it rounded the head. I bought a set of cheap damaged bolt extracting sockets from Harbor an it worked great.
I didn't have time to do any more but I feel pretty good about how to go about it now.
I'll post a pic when I get the heads off. They are full of junk i have to scrap the build up away before i can even get a sicket on the interior bolts. I am really hoping the liners haven't moved. I know for sure it was driven hot several times.

 

Thanks for the advice. I finished the rest of the bolts this AM. Only broke one extension. The Harbor freight extractor is money. Really saved me.

I already lined up the machine shop for the clean, scrape, and valve jobs.
I am not sure what I am looking for as far as slipped liners go.

Look good?



Should I clean the pistons and cylinders real good or should i just leave them as they are? I was thinking of getting some scouring pads and going to town. I have already started the de-greaser on the block.
Here are the heads. Looks like more than 80k worth of build up to me. I wonder if previous owners had ever changes the oil. Or if he ran the Odometer back.





I am going to put together a parts list and start placing orders for parts now. I was going to go all out and do the water pump, timing chain, ultra gauge, ect but the more I dig the more I am thinking i'll just fix it and move on. It's got a lot of little annoying problems, not in the best shape, and I keep finding hack mechanic work. I've already spend hours and $$ trying to cure the three amigos to no avail. I'll probably sell it and put the money towards one that is a little newer and in better shape. After having this one for over a year I think I can be a little smarter with the next purchase.

Let me know if you guys think the block looks ok or if its toast.
Back to work for me

 

After reading about your job ordered a I've gone down a few cans already.

I don't really see an obvious spot where the gasket was leaking. It had been driven hot several times. It would then run fine for a few days and over heat. I would add coolant and bleed all the air from the system only to be low a few days later. I had it pressure tested twice because I was convinces that there was a coolant leak. After lots of searching here I checked to exhaust for moister and sure enough I had a few drops per minute so I was sure it was from the heads.
I just need to figure out if it is the block or if the gaskets will fix it. I'd hate to put it all back together only to have it display the same symptoms.
Maybe I should start a new thread. I'll do a few searches first.
Thanks for input. what did we do before online help forums.

 

I want to say thanks to all of you for the great write ups and contributions.

I recently bought my wife an 04' Disco from someone that was not as forthright as I had hoped for, but my fault for not being diligent.

That being said, after the purchase I came across a coolant smell coming from the engine. I took it to a local shop and they quoted me $3200 for head gaskets...ouch! So I started scouring the net looking for answers and found this and a few other great forums.

I began my journey this week to do my head gaskets. I've done an alternator, brakes, a few other items, but nothing like this. So after much help from you guys, a broken lower coolant hose, broken vacuum lines, stripped #3 bolt, 4 broken adapters/swivel sockets and some good music, I finally have the heads off and they are headed to the shop tomorrow.

Thanks again! I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

 

Great job! After time with your rover you will be well prepared to handle most anything the work can through at you, and fix it as well, if you have to! ROVER ON!

 

Thanks Jared, Your thread def helped!

I dropped off the heads this morning. The shop is a small ma and pops shop in Round Rock called Bishop Automotive. They tested everything while I was there, valve stems, warping.....nothing wrong! Very excited about that, so I chose to have them do the valve job ($175) since the car was at 84,000. Was that a good idea or should I have waited?

I need to do some research on which lines they where. I just know I broke a few brittle ones. As of now the servo line is ok.

I'm supposed to get the heads back Wednesday. In the mean time I will be doing the water pump and cleaning the engine bay. Any thoughts on what I might want to consider?

I need to find a link on how to change the brake fluid, looks like coffee.

so far:

STI 8mm wires
Bosch Plat +4
Peak Coolant
Water Pump w/brass
Reinz hg kit
Seafoam
Mobile 1 filter
Rotella

 

Thx Rover Hokie!