Rebuilding a 3.9 V8 and need tips

[Brianb]

I'm rebuilding the engine out of my 95 disco. The reason I took it out was that the engine would infrequently overheat for 30 seconds, then return to normal. During overheating, it would also overpressure and blow hoses. Additionally, its had a bottom end tick ever since i bought it. Therefore. i figured I'd do the rebuild myself as i can't afford the $8000.00 - $10,000.00 quoted by the Rover dealers.

I assumed the overheat and over pressure was caused by headgasket leak though the gaskets looked OK when I took the heads off. Could a cylinder liner be cracked or leaking? Either way, I'm replacing radiator, thermostat, all hoses etc etc.

As for the bottom end noise, I'm told it could be stiff wrist pins in the pistons. Anybody have any thoughts what can go wrong in the bottom of the motor. I've got the block out and cannot see anything obvious.

I've read a guy can pick up a bit more HP by either grinding the heads down a very small amount or decking the block, has anybody tried this and what were the results.

Can anybody recommend performance cams, performance water pump, oil pump, timing gear etc. best manifactures etc?

Thanks

BB

[Rovin4life]

have fun getting parts, with the cost of the parts a cheap used motor that needs head gaskets would be easier.

pull the pan and look at the bearings for anything. but its possible the low end tick could be low pressure caused by crappy oil or a stuffed pickup tube.

take the heads off and get them measured. with the troubles on the engine just get it looked at before doing anything. if all is ok, then just put it back together and clean out the timing cover and the pickup tube.