3.9 V8i engine rebuild - Specialist wanted

[dirtysouthUK]

Good morning all,

I'm looking to get the engine in my 96 3.9V8i disco rebuilt. I have neither the time nor workshop to do it myself, well if I want it done in the next year!

So I'm looking for a specialist to carry out the work for me. Anybody got any suggestions in and around sussex? I would travel if there is somebody VERY good I should use.

Also I've never had a V8 rebuilt before, what's the average ballpark cost I should be expecting (just a rough idea, I'm aware it can vary a lot)?

Thanks

Dom

[FridgeFreezer]

If you just want a running engine, buy a good used one (or even a whole Range Rover and break the rest) there are so many cheap rusty Range Rovers out there these days. A decent running 3.9 V8 should cost less than £500, more like £250-300. IIRC there's an entire Range Rover 3.9 in the for sale forum for around £700.

If you really want a good rebuild, with a few nice bits added (head & main studs, duplex timing chain, composite gaskets, rubber rocker seals, improved cam) then you're into a fair bit of cash, maybe £500 on parts depending on exactly what you're wanting from it. The subject has been discussed at length in the RR forum and in various V8 build threads (Bull Bar Cowboy's one in the tech archive being about the best).

For removal/fitting or a rebuild, I'd recommend Chichester 4x4, they're about the only specialists round here I'd let near my car - and they all drive sweet-sounding V8's

[Hybrid_From_Hell]

^^^

wot he said

1stly tho WHY does you V8 need a rebuild, based on what issues ?

Several V8 engines later (inc Fridges) I can honesty now say :

The costs for a PROPER Rebuild will make you sit down, with a glazebust on the bore new rings, polish or regrind crank, cam bearing line bored and a set of gaskets, plus new cam followers core plugs block chemically cleaned new mains big ends and repalcement timings gears chain etc expect little change if you did it yourself in terms of put back together at around £7000-800 if using decent quality parts, ask someone to do it and your into big money

Thats a base rebuild, if you ned new pistons, little end bearings / valve / guide work head work then add more

You may also be shoving money into an engine that is about to drop a liner, so really if spending this much money then a set of THL (top hat libers) is really an investmant but will be £600+ and then the bores plateau honed to your pistons etc etc etc.

So, either buy a complete running decent V* and nuts and bolts to fit for not much money, or if you have money to burn perhpas a new short motor fully built up and ready to have the top end and ancillaries bolted to it, that is assuming your top end is good enough and doesn;t need work ??

hence my opening question - WHY does it need a rebuild, and how deep are your pockets ?

And No, I don't want the job ta muchly

http://www.djev8.co.uk/Misc.html

http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/product.php?id=367

gives you an idea

Nige

[BogMonster]

£700-800 or £7000-8000?

[stevegibbs]

If money is not the main concern and you want a very good job RPI Engineering are the boys.

[FridgeFreezer]

If money is not the main concern and you want a very good job RPI Engineering are the boys.

Well, I'll agree with the first part of that statement.

[Hybrid_From_Hell]

Yep,.... their "Interest" in you is directly proportional to your wallet size

Nige

[BogMonster]

I have heard some "Contrasting Views" on RPI - what's the story then? I have only dealt with them once and found Chris to be extremely helpful for advice (long before I discovered forums I had a problem with my old V8) even though I was only after advice and not buying anything!

[FridgeFreezer]

RPi are expert at what they sell, and are happy to waffle on for ages on the phone about your engine and recommend all sorts of lovely shiny things that will make it so much better.

However, their solutions are:

- Rather outdated (You don't want EFI, you want a nice Weber 500 sir!)

- Frickin' expensive (When you're selling to Morgan, TVR and kit-car owners, everything costs more)

- Not actually the best (a chipped stock ECU rather than a decent tuneable setup)

Now, sometimes their advice does cross paths with reality, after all they get to see and work on a lot of V8's, but they will always try to sell you what they have, not what's best for you.

That and Chris is ever-so-slightly unhinged, a bit like a toned-down chrissyboy

[stevegibbs]

Can't disagree with any of this but we can do the work ourself's have done and will do, but what is this chap going to do if he has no place and no tools and perhaps little knowlage of this perticular beast. apart from pay and hope. Is their no-one near-by to offer assistance. I think going with someone elsies idea of a replacement used engine might be the way to go.

[Hybrid_From_Hell]

Hmmm

I did see he has shown his location as "Sussex"....a bit more accuarte may help as I may be closish and would be happy to chat / look at it etc, but sussex is a big place ..........

Nige

[FridgeFreezer]

There's quite a few specialists in the Sussex area or nearby, being pompey way myself Chicheter 4x4 are the furthest east I'm familiar with and happy to recommend, that doesn't mean there aren't others - from memory there's Gumtree, Footloose, InsideOut, all of which I know nothing about.

[Mark]

if it were me, and I had the money, I would go and talk to richard (and frida) turner - they can offer a remanufactured engine, rather than a rebuild of yours, but you would have to fit it yourself. If you want someone to fit a turner engine, local to sussex, who knows his stuff by all accounts, then talk to Diesel Dave at D&P Autos in Mannings Heath, just outside Horsham.

just my 2p...

I prefer diseasel...

Mark

[dirtysouthUK]

Firstly sorry for a delay in responding, dreaded work!

The issues with the engine are it’s slowly starting to use oil, it is increasing over time at quite a rate, also developing some nasty noises from the rockers, loud metallic ticks and clicks. It’s also running hotter, but not overheating, and starting to use more fuel. And finally what I think is a spider issue but maybe relevant is it randomly stalls/turns off after being started, hot or cold makes no difference.

It’s had regular oil changes and services, but is sounding rougher as time progresses. It’s also down on power and starting to use more fuel.

My thinking behind the rebuild route is I’m getting a new gearbox anyway and thought whilst I was at it I would make sure the engine etc. was running sweetly and to find out what’s exactly wrong is going to need some stripping down anyway.

I’m not rich by any means so £7000 etc. is simply not going to happen. But I am willing to spend a reasonable amount on it, as it’s not let me down over 40K miles in 18 months.

So it seems I need to pin down what is wrong and is it worth rebuilding. I am tempted by the idea of finding an old disco or range rover cheap to use as a donor. Could be a lot better route. I do miss my range rover seats too.

Nige- I’m mainly based in Brighton, but I travel a lot! Would really appreciate you having a look and a chat if I’m your way at a time that suits you.

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. I'll have a read through the over threads too, see what I'm getting myself into.

Dom

[FridgeFreezer]

V8's can take a hell of a lot of wear, and the oil loss & noises from the top end could be a few fairly easily fixed things.

I think a treatment of Nige's favourite engine oil flush could be worth a go too.

[Ally V8]

If money is not the main concern and you want a very good job RPI Engineering are the boys.

My wheelbarrow is getting a bit rough,but I wouldnt trust them to do that properly.

[FridgeFreezer]

My wheelbarrow is getting a bit rough,but I wouldnt trust them to do that properly.

I'm sure they'd sell you a lovely 4brl carb for it though