Engine and Transmission Tech

Hi everyone,

I'm collecting parts for a v8 conversion, and an hoping to find a deal on a 4.6L Rover engine.

A guy in my area offered me a "rebuilt" GEMS ignition 4.6L engine from a Range Rover for $800. He said I was welcome to have a mechanic look at it. I asked him what work was done, he said, "you know, everything."

I'm not a complete idiot, but perhaps I'm close. I've never worked on a v8 before, and I've never done more to my MG 4-cylinder than tweak carbs, timing, belts, etc.

Is there any simple way to confirm what was done (or not done) to an engine that was "rebuilt?"

At $800, I'm assuming the liners were not replaced, but if I can get 20,000 or 30,000 miles out of it, I'd be happy.

Given how the 4.6 most often fails, and the price he quoted, is this deal too good to be true?

Any and all advice welcome.

Cheers!

Start by asking to look at the bills.

Agree - receipts for parts. If built by a shop, receipt for that & talk with them. If the seller built it & you don't have a way of knowing his experience, it's a crap shoot.

Agreed x3
Without receipts or any verifiable proof.
It's just another used engine and should be treated as such.

Cheers
Fred

Leak-down test to determine condition of the rings, pull pan and one rod and the rear and center main caps to inspect the bearings. If possible, compression test to determine condition of the valves, and check oil pressure while cranking for the compression test.

Jim

"You know, everything." Doubt that. Everything can get very expensive. For $800, how long ago was it rebuilt & how was it stored?

When I found my rebuilt Buick 217 it had been stored in a closet in the back of a garage for 17 years. The plugs were finger tight. Periodically, the owner would squirt a bit of oil in the cylinders & turn it over by hand, He thought he would still use it someday. I bought it, put it in my MGB, & have been running the piss out of it for over 14 years now. ;)

Can you pull the pan and pull a bearing cap?