Discovery 2 Head gasket/ Fire ring failure.
 

Hello All, I am currently a new member to this forum and I am seeking help on my Disco.. But aren't we all?

Anyway, Two years ago I acquired one of my dream cars/ suv, a 2000 land rover discovery with 100,000 miles (currently has 150k), the engine had a head gasket failure and I got it to fix up and use as a daily driver. My grandfather and I Pulled the engine out and sent the engine to a land rover shop in a city near us. Portland Oregon.
The engine was fully rebuilt top hat liners and all new valve train, pistons etc..
Well, about a week ago it started with a sound that was similar to and exhaust leak. I made an appointment with an exhaust shop to have it repaired. well before the appointment I continued to drive it around and then one day before the appointment it got very loud. and the engine bay started to have a smell of exhaust so I parked it for the day. I drove it to the nearest exhaust shop to me about 100 miles away and they pinpointed the leak as coming out between the head and block near cylinder 4 no coolant loss or overheating no oil burning plugs look very clean . I Have ran compression tests for each cylinder in order : (Cold test, no startup for 24+ hours)

Cylinder/ Reading
1 /179
3 /180
5 /180
7 /181
2 /181
4 /100
6 /182
8 /180

I like to think that I am somewhat mechanically inclined for an 18 year old. I've done timing chains, water pumps and other simple things on other engines but I've never once done head gaskets I have however watched my grandfather work on his Oldsmobile Bravada and do heads on that... and I'm not to worried about tearing into the engine I know to label bolts and take lots of pictures but I'm scared of what i might find. I heard the exhaust gases can etch out the block and head and I don't want to have the worst heartache of my life from trashing a $4,500 engine rebuild in 50,000 miles..
Any input and help I could get would be greatly appreciated.
(Sorry for such a long thread, Trying to give as much info as possible..)

Thanks,
Gage

It may not be as bad as you think. The LR dealer, more than likely used the OEM head gaskets, and many members, including myself think the composite gaskets are much better.
Fel-Pro - Engine Cylinder Head Gasket
Part # 26532PT
Just be sure and get new head bolts also.

What is the difference between OEM and composite head gaskets?
And is there anything I should look at on why the firing ring blew out? sounds very odd to me that it blew that and not at the ends..

From what I have read, the OEM gasket is an all metal gasket and is prone to failure, whereas the composite is a layered gasket. The Fel-pro is a multi layer steel(MLS) and designed for engines like ours.
On another note, I am a firm believer in using ARP studs in conjunction with these gaskets. I know there are mixed feelings about the studs, and I respect their opinions. If and when mine need replacing, studs will replace the head bolts.

Would you recommend Replacing the plug wires along with the plugs beings that they have 50k on them or would i be fine with just plugs?

Do you have OEM wires, or are they 8mm aftermarket? If they are OEM, again I would replace them if it is in your budget. I went with the Kingsborne 8mm wires and iridium plugs, but I had 2 dead cylinders and replaced the coils, plugs and wires all at once, and it has not missed a lick.

During the rebuild I bought 8mm STI wires along with I believe NGK Iridium. I honestly can't remember I also use castrol synthetic blend 10-40 and I change my oil every 3000 miles would you say I stick with what I am currently using, or is there anything I should change?

Looks like you are doing fine, I would not bother changing the wires, and I also use the NGK Iridium. I would stick with what you are doing.

Great! Thanks for the help. I will post if I have any other questions. I'm going to tackle this on my own, hopefully all goes well!

I would go with the new composite gaskets & an ARP head stud kit instead of the head bolts. I also would get rid of those STI wires after 50000 miles. JMHO