Blown Motor - Up in Smoke - What Now ?

regenmeister · 31st July 2013, 12:54 PM

Hi All;

I have a 97 Discovery Series 1 (Update) without ABS, Air Suspension, or Airbags which has a 3.9 Lt Petrol V8 ... that recently expired (Car is in Cairns)

Long story short ... traveled from Sydney to Cairns with loaded car trailer average speed 70 - 80 KPH sometimes 90 KPH for a short time and Tacho would be 1750 rpm - 2250 rpm ... carefully watched oil and water levels and temp gauge ... so much so that if the oil level was 1 mil off the mark it would get a splash and same with the water ... aware of the need to keep temps down and not stress the motor ... well topped up the oil and water ... @ Ingham and ... got distracted and forgot to replace the "radiator cap" (idiot)

Prognosis from the specialist in Cairns is not good (motor's rooted) so a heart transplant is needed ...

My dilemma ...

Apart from some minor cosmetics, the car is in good condition and I purchased this car with the intention of keeping for the long term for towing the race car (MGB V8) and think it is worthwhile to replace the motor

Question:

Option (a) replace the existing 3.9 V8 motor with a "tested" used 3.9 V8 motor @ $1,500.oo 3 month & 5 Klm warranty

Option (b) replace the existing 3.9 V8 motor with a "reconditioned" 3.9 V8 motor @ $2,950.oo 6 month & 10 Klm warranty

Option (c) replace the existing 3.9 V8 motor with a "reconditioned" 4.0 V8 from a Series II @ $2,500.oo ... but I'm told this motor wont fit as the engine mounts, timing cover. and other ancilliary's are not interchangeable ... is this true ?

Any and all advices are appreciated ... Thanks in advance GV

**bee utey** · 31st July 2013, 01:47 PM

Used 3.9s are as dodgy as with a significant percentage now having loose liners from overheating. So I'd be very wary of a second hand one unless it has a documented low mileage history. As for the 4.0 you can use all your accessories (manifolds front cover etc) but they are also known for liner failure. There's a spacer needed for the front puley and a couple of minor dowel/bolt hole changes around the motor.

I'd expect a reconditioned motor to have top hat liners fitted or don't touch it.

**disco2_dan** · 31st July 2013, 03:01 PM

Did you price a 4.6L short? That would be the way I would be looking... More power and prob slightly better economy compared to what was in it

SMOKEZ · 31st July 2013, 06:38 PM

l was in the exact same boat 12 months ago.

It was amazing that with the so called mechanics l took my disco to when l first bought it, the thing that cooked my engine was a faulty expansion cap

l went with option 1. Found a tested 2nd hand engine with books for a decent price. 12 months later, engine is purring along. Just now need to find a competent workshop that can look after the little things like rear main seals and oil and power steering hoses.

In hindsight, with the amount of money l have spent.. l would recommend, as others have, the 4.6litre option.

The engines are out there. l even know a place that has one for around $1800.. Dont know if its still there but it was only a few months ago that l was offered this particular 4.6

**Vanderz** · 31st July 2013, 08:06 PM

What did the mechanic say? Is it just a head gasket? What kinda time line do you u need to get it sorted?

**Blknight.aus** · 31st July 2013, 08:50 PM

option B is probably the most realistic of all 3 although option C given the time and effort to set it up would probably result in the longest life.

of course for that sort of money you could rebuild your engine with some tophat liners a little cam work and........

**MacMan** · 31st July 2013, 09:50 PM

As a point of reference my 3.9 was rebuilt last year. I did as much of it myself as possible save for head reco, supply and fitting of flanged liners and crank machining and balancing. It still cost around $4,500. It's nice now, but it would want to be.

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