I just bought that 4.0 short block with 155,000 miles that was on ebay in fullerton, ca for $499. I'm planning on putting it in my 02 dII. Going to pick it up on Monday. The guy says the compression is good and the block is not warped at all, he also had 450 or so positive feedback from selling other rover parts so he sounds pretty trustworthy. Anywho, I would like to know what concerns I should have when building up a high mileage short block and how I should prep it for the build. This could potentially be the least expensive 4.0 build in history since I have the heads and everything else sitting around already. Any help appreciated, thanks!

 

why dont you call : http://www.cometic.com/ for your gaskets and http://www.lasleeve.com/master.html for liners and build something to last you another 10 years....without having to watch the temp gauge constantly...

 

its also possible the sleeves slip. but new gaskets and new headbolts and you will be fine. No idea if anything else is broken but its up to you.

 

they do unless they are top hat liners...

 

Are you planning to leave the bottom as is, or a rebuild with new pistons, crank grind, etc.?

 

That's what I'm asking you guys. I don't know what the cost of new pistons, etc would be and I don't know what a crank grind is either.

 

You don't need new pistons, not unless they are messed up. Look at changing the piston rings, check the wear on the rings and the gudgeon pins. Check the wear on the con rod and main bearings, I would consider changing them on a 155K block. Crank grind is when they polish the bearing surfaces on the crank, and then you put in over sized bearings to make up for the material removed from the crank. You only do this if there is wear on the crank bearing surfaces. It might be best if you take the short block in to a machine shop and have them check everything out for you.

 

I would see what it looks like but while it is out I would replace as much as you can afford. Definitely do the bearings, rings and rear main.

 

Do everything you possibly can while it is out of the vehicle and accessible before you go thru pulling the existing one and putting in the "new" one. You will be much happier than if you shortcut on the "new" one and have to do it again because you didn't do it right the first time.

 

Bag the trip to LA and head north instead. There is a 4.6 motor in Salt Lake with 10,000 miles on it listed for $750 on KSL Classifieds. There is also a DII tranny for $500. Save the effort of the rebuild and drop in the 4.6 you will be miles and dollars ahead. Phil

1999 DI
2000 DII
2001 DII