Hello everyone,

This is my first visit, so thanks all for the opportunity to share in your knowledge.

I purchased a 3.9 engined Discovery which had sat for 3 months afer a roasting, on strip I found the thermostat when boiled remained in the closed position, I subsequently tossed it out as I am in a 45 degree centigrade environment, I had the heads skimmed 15 thou off, did not do the valve seats then rebuilt, it lasted 5 minutes, pattern gaskets from ebay! and my suspicion is the locating dowels on the block now effectively 15 though longer bottomed out on the torque before the gaskets on the exhaust side of the block compressed. I have yet to strip down again, but when I do:-

1. What would e the absolute limit to face the head for the second time if required, or am I already there? has this been experienced before?

2. Would I expect after 5 minutes running and no overheat for the heads to be warped again as they were pulled down unevenly on the dowels in places and the block in others.

3. any good advice to go with the above gratefully received.

Many thanks, Mike.