Call Roadside Werx and ask to talk to Jordan. They are in Englewood, CO and are a fantastic group of guys. Tell them Will sent you. They are super slammed but should have time for a phone call. They have swapped just about anything and everything into a rover platform at this point.

 

Based on your coolant leak it sounds more like you should first start with a cooling system refresh.

1. Order and install the Extinct inline thermostat
2. Order and install 4-way aluminum tube by CARRS4X4
3. Bypass the (always leaking) throttle body heater
4. If you don't know the age of the coolant bottle and cooling hoses then just replace them all
5. Same for water pump, fan clutch and radiator
Now feel great as you monitor your SAFE coolant temps and worry about all the other things on your old 4x4 that could break and leave you stranded.

In the meantime if you just want to do an engine rebuild project I have had good experiences with having blocks top-hatted by the following shops

D&D Fabrications Inc
Q&E Engine and Machine Shop

Call and get quotes from both; Mark@D&D is a wealth of information on Rover V8.

Also you don't lose your 4.6 if you get a 4.0 block top-hatted and use your 4.6 crank and pistons.

 

There is nothing wrong with the cooling system. It has been well maintained, pumps, belts, thermostats, shows no signs or overheating or coolant loss, this snowbusting trip was miles of 24 inch plus deep powder running 4500 to 5000 rpms for extended romps. It showed no signs of getting hot,

Just Thought is was an odd place to see signs of a leak at the heater hose.

Maybe I wasn't being clear, this truck shows no signs of impending failure, it is not a daily driver although I run it a lot,

this plan comes from a desire to have a really nice vehicle.

 

Have you pressure tested the cooling system? The first thing that springs to mind are the factory hose clamps; they are supposed to be constant-tension but several forum members have reported that they weaken over time and should be replaced. Another recommendation has been to apply a thin layer of RTV sealant to your connection points so that the hose rubber is actually glued to the barb.

 

Not only do those clamps weaken I've also seen them rust completely off leaving the hose free to just blow off. I use high quality SS hose clamps from the hardware store. Might be 2-3.00 each but they NEVER fail.

 

the leak is not on a hose or hose clamp, there is a steel nipple that bolts into the engine on the passenger side front of the block, it feeds the heater core, there is and o-ring that seats down in the hole it blew a bit of coolant past that o-ring

Thanks for the replies, but i am not worried at all about the ccoling system

 

Also a good spot for a bit of silicone to glue it in, but a newer o-ring won't hurt either. Sounds like you have a nice rig, I would not worry about the engine. I have two with over 225k on them running fine with excellent oil pressure, good fuel economy, and respectable performance for the engine size (4.0's). I have towed other discos with both with no significant issues.

I have taken apart several and aside from overheat damage and an occasional broken oil pump gear I have never seen any significant mileage related wear. Most of these vehicles went to the dealer for a substantial part of their service life, getting synthetic oil the whole time. Many were then carried to independent shops or cared for by third or fourth owners who may have been diligent about oil quality and changes, moreso than the cooling system (everyone knows you have to change the oil, not as many know that hoses wear out).

 

Conversion kits are on backorder, I put my name on the waiting list. I may just wind up tearing this one down new gasktes and seals as well as new oil pump. new or rebuilt heads. Pretty sure the minor tick is a lifter or rocker.
We shall see how soon the conversion kist get off backorder. I have strict orders from the wife not to miss wheeling season.

 

Your wife is a wise woman.

 

yep and she doesn't mind my toy habits.

I think the better title for this thread would have been I want a new heartbeat for Nigel, lots of folks seem think he's coming apart, that's is not accurate at all.