Engine Swap
 

Hi Folks, I need you guys advice on how to proceed with my 2001 Disco SE7 II 105k.
2 yrs ago it overheated & my wife kept on driving it until it stopped. Then a mobile mechanic replaced water pump also poured in K&W Nano-Tech Permanent Head Gasket & Block Repair just to be safe "he said". It drove ok for about a year (10k Miles) then ABS, SES light came on "random misfire" also the transfer case wouldn't engage to low. I took the car to a shop, they replaced spark plugs, wires, & coils but it didn't fix it. Then we decided to drive the rover short distances 5 or 8 miles a week meanwhile looking for a decent mechanic (we don't have LR dealership in Big Island-Hawaii) but then it got worse, flashing SES light, and from a small valve-noise, now, a loud tapping valve noise & loss of power (limp mode kind). A mechanic looked at it & told me that it needs valve job ($1400), but he can only be sure after opening it up. I worry the problem is bigger...
Then bought this running great 97 LR disco SE 1 for parts, for $800 (rusty body & $1000 late tags). I know its an older version motor... Is it too much trouble to use this engine on my 2001 Disco? Thanks

A) Don't let your wife do that again! B) WHAT MOTOR? 3.9, 4.0, 4.6???? We need more information. You should be able to know generally what is wrong with the rover before opening it up. If that guy doesn't know what he is doing, then perhaps he shouldn't work on it and you should find someone who can.. as for you location: I WOULD LOVE TO VISIT, BUT NEVER LIVE THERE.

A D1 engine will not easilly swap into a D2. For one the ignition on the D1 is GEMS and the ignition on the D2 is Bosch. Different ECU's even though thay have the same lower blocks and are 4.0's. Not saying you could not do it, bu probably more trouble than its worth.

i would see if you have a head gasket leak on your 2001. Get a leakdown test done and post some of your SES codes.

Assuming that the 2001 doesn't have Secondary Air Injection, you could strip both engines down to long blocks and swap everything over to the older engine. The story is that you can cut the tack welds on the crank sensor mounts, and swap them... either tack weld it back on or heck even JB weld might hold it in place. The cam pulley is different, so you'd want to install a new timing set for a bosch motronics (1999-2004) style engine. You'd swap intakes, timing covers, oil pans, basically everything external. Not a huge issue, cause they'd probably have both engines out sitting on a stand.

I've never done this swap, but a few people have, just google something like GEMS BOSCH swap.

Well with 2 out of 3 bad replys, I felt it is time to check in. First, a 97 is a 4.0 engine, second it is not a Gems engine and will swap over.
You might want to PM me with your number and I'll call you and walk you thru what to check/do before making the swap.

Thank you all. I'll PM you Mike

Here it is Mike, Ron 808-935-2026 thanks

I've done the swap, it's not easy if you've never done one, you need to know what to look for, I would get the correct engine year for the vehicle.

You probably have a blown head gasket, no big deal.
About $1400 to have a shop do it, the valves in these things almost never go bad.
But head gaskets go bad all the time.