Advice? Thoughts?

[Ralph1Malph]

Hi All,
My TD5 Auto D2 overheated about 15 months ago and I was undecided whether to repair, part out or sell as a complete car.
I've decided I am not looking to part out as yet as I want to retain it as a play car.
This was my daily drive as well as my play car so it does show the effects of that...creaks and groans etc as well as scratches and minor panel damage.
Over the years, I've done a bit to her as well as fitted all the common mods etc.
It still runs and I start and move it regularly to keep the fluids awake.

So, now I'm weighing up whether to:
1. Lift the head and repair as needed, bearing in mind I'd be foolish not to replace all the associated bits;
2. Search for a donor engine to plonk in it, again replacing all the associated bits; or
3. Search for a complete donor or replacement car to build up out of the two.


Whats the vibe?

Anyone got any advice? Of course cost is factor here and I can afford to take my time.

Cheers
Ralph

[rangieman]

If it was mine and a play car so not important to have on the road in a hurry id lift the head[wink11]

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Yea,, the "what you know" is always better, :)

[Homestar]

I wouldn't sell it then get another one - yours may have creaks and groans but you know what they are. With a different vehicle you start from scratch. Same with another engine - unknown history, etc - at least you know what's happen d to yours. I'm with Chris here - I'd whip the head off and fix what you have if it were mine. :)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

on ya Gav, [bighmmm][smilebigeye]

[Disco Muppet]

Remove head and fix.
Or remove and fit LS1

[whitey56]

I am doing the head on my 2003 now and will not get much change out of $1500, this does not include radiator, water pump and hoses but I will replace quite a few parts while it's apart. I also bought a few new tools todo the job.

[Ralph1Malph]

I am doing the head on my 2003 now and will not get much change out of $1500, this does not include radiator, water pump and hoses but I will replace quite a few parts while it's apart. I also bought a few new tools todo the job.

I'd be interested in a tutorial!
It all seems easy but I assume it's not!

Ralph

[Disco Muppet]

Mate.
I once put red to black on a battery and I managed to do it with a bit of sound advice from JC and a few others.
You'll be fine

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Mate.
I once put red to black on a battery and I managed to do it with a bit of sound advice from JC and a few others.
You'll be fine

only from him !!! [bigrolf]

[whitey56]

I'd be interested in a tutorial!
It all seems easy but I assume it's not!

Ralph

There is a tutorial of a Defender strip down on this forum, cannot remember who posted it.
It would be relatively easy except the drivers side is a PIA [ wheel off to get to bottom fuel cooler bolts] the passenger side is nothing to worry about, i took my bonnet off for better access and if you have a protruding bullbar i would pull that off too unless your 6'5" with 4 foot legs, my pretend bullbar is a LR rubber job and it hugs the grille so i wasn't to bad.
I lifted my head off with a excavator with the manifolds and FPR still on, can be done with 2 guys or engine crane or pull off everything for a 1 man lift.
This is the first alloy OHC head i have done while i have lifted plenty push rod and 1 OHC cast iron heads i still got to a point where i said "Geez what are you doing here!"

Yours is a 1999 so there is a good chance the head won't be able to be rebuilt, which means a new AMC head from the UK at roughly $2 to 3k [ not sure of current prices], or be lucky to find a Amc head on a wreck here the someone has already changed over.
I would assess your Disco before you start and see what will need doing in the near future, Trans, diffs, steering joints, front tailshaft, radiator and harmonic balancer can be costly and something you don't need after a expensive head job.
I paid $3500 for my 2003 and will spend about $4k on it which includes a Nanocom, the wife is bitching about it but if i paid 10k for a car i would still spend 2k on it to guarantee a reasonable run from it.

Good luck with it.

[Ralph1Malph]

There is a tutorial of a Defender strip down on this forum, cannot remember who posted it.
It would be relatively easy except the drivers side is a PIA [ wheel off to get to bottom fuel cooler bolts] the passenger side is nothing to worry about, i took my bonnet off for better access and if you have a protruding bullbar i would pull that off too unless your 6'5" with 4 foot legs, my pretend bullbar is a LR rubber job and it hugs the grille so i wasn't to bad.
I lifted my head off with a excavator with the manifolds and FPR still on, can be done with 2 guys or engine crane or pull off everything for a 1 man lift.
This is the first alloy OHC head i have done while i have lifted plenty push rod and 1 OHC cast iron heads i still got to a point where i said "Geez what are you doing here!"

Yours is a 1999 so there is a good chance the head won't be able to be rebuilt, which means a new AMC head from the UK at roughly $2 to 3k [ not sure of current prices], or be lucky to find a Amc head on a wreck here the someone has already changed over.
I would assess your Disco before you start and see what will need doing in the near future, Trans, diffs, steering joints, front tailshaft, radiator and harmonic balancer can be costly and something you don't need after a expensive head job.
I paid $3500 for my 2003 and will spend about $4k on it which includes a Nanocom, the wife is bitching about it but if i paid 10k for a car i would still spend 2k on it to guarantee a reasonable run from it.

Good luck with it.

My thoughts exactly! As I've driven it pretty hard, many of the things you mention will eventually need doing, although I've already done most of the the steering bits, including the ball joints, rear diff twice and double cardan twice! I am very conscious that I will still have other work to do if I do the engine!. I am leaning towards another car, just gotta wait till one comes up at the right price.
Not only that, there are bits I'll be able to recycle or sell to recoup some of the cost.

Cheers
Ralph

[Disco Muppet]

Who on earth says the 99 model can't have the head rebuilt?! ANY Td5 had can be rebuilt. Just make sure it's skimmed and crack tested and you'll be fine.