Okay... so I'm about to replace my engine in my 04 discovery.
Very excited as it's ran like **** for the past 8 mths.
I've got a well recommended mechanic that's also an enthusiast and specializes in rovers.
I've never ever had an engine replaced. I'm a bit apprehensive with spending this kind of money on a used engine.
Please share some advise, knowledge and wisdom.
The engine is said to have 90K miles? its coming from another rover he have bought (as I was close to selling mine for good usable parts).
His word is: Before replacing engine with the his great running engine... he will rebuild the top half before installing it he said a lot of mechanical jargon (new heads, new valve stem, cover, gaskets, plugs, wires, etc... $3300)
Sounds good.
Please share wisdom and experience. I'm a bit nervous as I mentally can't tolerate another mechanic "F' over" in my life.
I'm not real trusting but I need this done, so I can enjoys loving my truck again.
Any advise is needed and appreciated

 

What other choices do you have, besides doing it yourself?

 

Sounds decent. What kind of warranty is he offering?

 

Hey Thanks for replying...
He say's like anyone else... I'ts 90 days warranty on the used motor. However, he seems to be doing alot to it.
He definitely seems to know his stuff.. and works on rovers and changes and rebuilds motors for a living.
Any advice, knowledge, "make sure he..."'s??

 

Thanks for replying...
Doing it my self ain't an option.
Other option is to pay $5500 for another rover specialist that rebuilds those motors with built to last everything plus installation... totally worth more than the car.
Another option is to sale it for whatever I can get....
Any advice or suggests?

 

The engine will probably run for 90 days, even a couple of years. The main, #1, NÚMERO-UNO thing is to install an aftermarket coolant temp gauge. Do not go by the factory gauge in the dash. Hook up a GlowShift temp gauge and make SURE the coolant temp is under 200 degrees. You want it as low as possible, 185 is ideal. Anything over 200 and you risk damaging the head-gasket, getting a crack in the block itself, or having a cylinder sleeve come loose in the bore. You may have to spend another $400 to get it running cool enough but it's great insurance and raises your odds of catastrophic damage occurring in the top end. Once you get a real-time reading on the coolant temp you may find it to be well over 200 or even 210 and it's time to go to work on it again but a Rover V8 operating over 200 is no-JUENO. If you know how to do an Internet search and loosen a hose clamp, this is work that you can and will want to do yourself. The hardest part of cooling system work is getting the fan off and draining the coolant into a pan cause it drains straight out of the lower radiator hose and make a gawd-awful mess. Upgrading to a heavy duty fan clutch, replacing the radiator, installing new water pump and modifying an inline Tstat housing or at least a 180-deg LR Tstat are all things you may have to do. Ask the mechanic if he used a new water pump and check for the receipt on that. The water pump is one thing you do not want to fail and cause an overheat.