re: 2000 Disco II; 232,000 miles. Very good condition except for a blown head gasket again. I am a 67 year old retiree with enough ability left for minor repairs, but not enough for engine rebuilding or replacing. This will have to be repaired by a shop. I have been a member here for over a decade, lost my original sign-on info, hence my new user name etc. Life has been good with my Disco for so long now, I nervously became accustomed to it's reliability ;-) Now I feel like I've lost an old friend in the worse way, but looking at 7 to 8 thousand bucks is a bit painful in my glorious retirement years.

My first head gasket failure was at 135,000 miles, at which time new heads were installed because one of the original heads cracked). The repair was top end only - the block wasn't touched.
6 years later, another blown head gasket. No overheating this time; just blew out in the back exhaust side giving me that steam locomotive sound we all love to hear.

Since it is a $300+ cost to strip it down to the block just to see if there is any scoring on the block, I have decided to just replace the engine. 16 years and 232,000 miles is enough to move on.

I have found an appropriate rebuilt long block engine with a one year warranty from Roverlandparts for $3850. And this is my first question - Has any one here had any experience with Roverland that they would kindly share? Looking at the list of what they do on these rebuilt engines (http://www.roverlandparts.com/discovery-engine.aspx), it seems comprehensive, except for maybe one item - the cylinder sleeves. They do not replace them with flanged sleeves (tophats). My second question - should I avoid based on this issue alone, and keep searching for someone who does?

Last question is - If not Roverland, then who do I go to for quality and reasonable pricing (if that is even possible)? I am located in the Greater Cincinnati area btw.

Much thanks to all for your time in reading another sad story.

 

Of course you only hear the bad things about a supplier because that is when people want to make noise.

Another member bought a D1 motor approx 2 years ago that was used but supposedly gone through by them. Motor was no good. Her experience with there customer service was subpar.

Local mechanic bought a rebuilt Trans for a classic from them, after install it was faulty. They took the Trans back, but he was out the labor.

General consensus on here is Turner in the UK for a short block. If you don't have SAI they can furnish a long block.

 

you probably want to check a couple forums on roverlandparts. I remember reading something wasn't an engine maybe a front cover or something. but cant quite remember what it was.

there engine price looks to be approx. 50% on everyone else, and that $3000 saving is not just not from the lack of not using flanged liners.

now i remember something else; if you look at there ad for a rebuilt 96-99 motor $3850, you will see everything is check and inspect, even the rod and main bearings are reused, rings why replace them? and that is how all there rebuilt ads used to read. all they did was inspect and re-gasket. that's why I never thought of them for a replacement engine.

the ad your looking does read differently

but on the other hand you got 16-years and 230k out of your engine without flanged liners.

 

What would be wrong with just doing the head gaskets again, as long as you were not burning oil, etc.

Chances are you would get another 8 years and 100k out of it for a lot less money.

 

That's why I included the link to their ad, as it reads as if they actually do a good job. And I have bought a few non-essential type parts from them with no issues regarding quality etc. I am hoping there are other vendors around that offer a comparable product that someone here has an experience to share worthy of consideration. Your point of getting the years and mileage to this point is a major point, one that I do appreciate. And I have gotten used to topping off coolant every week ;-) Thanks for your comments!

Agreed, I could get anywhere from 50 to 100k miles out of a ~$2000 investment, assuming no block damage is obvious when the heads are removed. The reason why I raised the tophat sleeves was a blog I read from someone in the Boston area, singing the praises of flanged sleeves and cursing the "flawed design" of the original build.

I guess it is a long line I stand in with those who love the heck out of these trucks while wondering why they don't last as long as we think they should ;-) Thanks much for your input.

 

3850 is too cheap for a rebuilt engine.

I wouldn't even read the second line of the ad once I saw that $ amount.

I know a great shop.....in Texas

 

I would get a block from AB and use the same heads. That's $4500 + pain and suffering.

 

I think that's the way to go at the moment, assuming the block has damage. AB's description of their short block rebuild and pricing seems believable. At the end of the day, the costs we're talking about here that gives me a good ride for several more years isn't anything to gripe about. Thank you for your input.

 

I recommend the AB route as well. I often see coupons floating around for 10/20% off. Wonder if they're applicable towards a long block ?!!

I love white DII's. Start a go fund me account and I'll pitch in to keep that ride on the road