Thread: I pulled the heads, have a look

But that does not explain the pressurised cooling system.
8 to the water jacket looks OK.
Are any cylinders /pistons cleaner than others?
The left bank photo appears to have one cleaner, the one on the right 6?
There are only four passages that water goes through, next to 1-7 and next to 2-8. How was the gasket at these points?
Regards Philip A

Nice and clean!

I don't understand why a combustion chamber leak between 6 and 8 would only affect 8 (rusty/burned plug).

I notice the block doesn't have the outer row of 4 holes. Must be a '95 block or thereabouts.

I don't think there is a problem using the tin gaskets - except for the higher compression ratio that will result and possible pinking on ULP (that's probably not a worry on LPG) and with the leakage into the valley which yours appear to have done around 6-8 (and which the composite will, apparently, stop).

See RPi Engineering - V8 Engine and Component List

Originally Posted by PhilipA

But that does not explain the pressurised cooling system.
8 to the water jacket looks OK.
Are any cylinders /pistons cleaner than others?
The left bank photo appears to have one cleaner, the one on the right 6?
There are only four passages that water goes through, next to 1-7 and next to 2-8. How was the gasket at these points?
Regards Philip A

Although the block looks clean at num 8 to water jacket, the gasket showed signs of leakage there, maybe it was steam cleaned, but the gasket had marking, so I presume that is where the exhaust gas was pressurizing. The carbon onto of the number 8 piston also rubbed off easier so I presume it was getting some steam cleaning.

I think he is concerned about a leaking sleeve

Yes I am.
However my heads warped up at the ends and on mine the failure was for water to flow outwards to the exterior of the engine.
Its conceivable that those have also warped upwards at the ends but are leaking from the end cylinders to the water passages..
Make sure to have them surfaced before reassembly.
Good luck. New gaskets are a hell of a lot less problem than a sleeve.
By the way , Ward at Graeme Cooper doesn't like composites. Reckons they leak more than tins. But you have to have perfect heads and Block for tins. But if yours is a composite block I would fit composites. Try to get the OEM type. They are German,Ehlin or similar.
I have had composites on for about 20K and no problems, except I have a bit of coolant stain on the block, I think from Brown Mountain near Bega on a 48C day.
Regards Philip A

While you have the heads off are you going to have them scraped? did you run a straight edge over the block to check for warping, not sure about this tin head gasket biz but withalloy heads I always use Hylomar copper spray on the gasket, both sides and plenty of it, I dont play with Rover V8s and know little of the traits of the engine, just an idea

Originally Posted by procrastination inc

I think he is concerned about a leaking sleeve

I checked the liners and none appeared to have moved
I have been lead to believe the 1996 V8 blocks are rare to slip liners, only what I've heard. The 4+ litre ones are more prone?

No , all 3.9s and 4.0 and 4.6 can slip liners, but usually only if overheated.

Nearly all 38A 4.0 and 4.6 were overheated due to bad top radiator hose design causing air locks, and they tried I think 4 or 5 designs. They also blew heater hoses. 38A also run at 105C for emissions. I actually saw a heater hose blow one day on a club outing where a 38A was trying an obstacle, just after his traction contol gave up after getting wet.LOL.

Rover then went to the extent of xraying every block and only used the best for 4.6.
If you have a 3.9 in Disco with an 88C thermostat and that has never been overheated, then its not likely to slip a sleeve.( I hope ,as my 3.9 has now done 140K)
Funny the UK book on tuning Rover V8 reckons the 3.9 is the worst of the lot.
Regards Philip A