I have a 98 Disco that the rod bearings are going so I decided to pull off the pan. I thought I may want o check the main bearings. I have all 4 bolts out of each main bearing cap but I could only get the front one out. The second one is loose and with a little luck Ican probably get it out but he others are solid as a rock. I tried giving them a little 4lb "Help" and are still not moving. Talk about a pain in the ***. Any ideas? I would hate to pull the motor to replace main bearings BUT it is better to do it now than have it break on me again! Oh yeah, it has right at 130k miles on it.

 

What led you to believe the rod bearings were needing replacement?

 

The guy I bought it from was a retard. I guess he didn't believe in changing his oil. When I bought it it ran alright but the oil was NASTY. I flushed the engine then it got a little tic and after a few weeks it got worse and turned into more like a knock. Last night I removed the oil pan and I might say that was rather easy for a V8. I was correct and the rod bearings are in need of replacing. The first coating has work off on pretty much all of the bearings. The first main bearing cap I removed the bearing looks pretty good. It just irritates me when people don't change oil like they should. Oil is cheap. I'm going to try a litle more and if I can't get hem off I will be removing the motor for a major rebuild. Might as well while I have the engine out IF I have to remove it!

 

One more thing. Has anybody did the oil pump rebuild? I saw on a Land Rover parts site an oil pump rebuild kit for like $40!! Hell of a lot cheaper than the whole front of the motor!!!

 

to replace the rod bearings you don't have to pull the motor, just replace the caps in the right order and direction (bolts torque critical)
to replace the main bearings you will have to pull the motor, or take out the transmission and take off the timing chain (not suggested)
to remove the crank shaft to get to the main bearings that have the oil feed holes in them.
2nd question, i have also seen the oil pump rebuilt kit when i put bearings in my motor, but the more expensive new timing cover i feel is good insurance and well worth the money if you have spent all that money to rebuild the motor.
hope this helps