I would take it if i were you. Seems like a no brainer to me.

I know what you're saying, its just the thought of nearly 5k sitting in a crate gathering dust, making me baulk a bit!! L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

You could speak to some specialists and see if it they have an appetite to buy it, got to be a profit in that.

Put it this way £5k in a bank won't earn you a lot these days!

I suppose there will be a sweet spot to sell, and right now plenty of L405s needing a new engine. The time will come when residuals drop to a point to make it less attractive.

The alternative is purchase yourself a high spec popped L405 that needs a new engine, plenty about at very low money, drop the new lump in a then sell it, you seem pretty handy with a spanner and probably a nice hobby for a few weekends, a used L405 with a brand new lump in has got to be an attractive proposition.

RE your last suggestion, that was a thought, I'm always looking at what's around so if I saw something very nice for the right money, it would be an easy fix and possibly work out a cheap car. I guess the other bonus is if mine ever fails I wouldn't feel so bad about it, saying that I've done over 25k since the rebuild and all is good with it.
Just had the front knuckles replaced as goodwill and an o/s driveshaft that they managed to destroy doing the job, so man maths tells me I'm a couple of £k up courtesy of JLR  L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

5K is a bargain! overfinch modified

Retail on the short block is £5,669.46, with my measly discount comes down to £4,819.04, think I'm buying a very expensive temporary coffee table until it's needed! L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

Have an SDV8 which is thought to have head gasket failure and looking to pull the engine on advice that it is likely that the heads probably require replacement. Engine has 212k km on it so thought a rebuild might be in order - wondering if you could point me toward a resource of offer some general advice as to the time required/difficulty of engine removal in your experience?

2 options - drop the complete drivetrain and subframe as one unit, pros are it's quicker, downsides are you need a ramp and if the subframe bolts strip the aluminium threads in the body, you're into a world of pain and expense in repairing them!

I pulled my engine from the front - bumper off, wheel arch guards etc, remove the front slam panel and associated brackets, remove the complete rad pack but remove the gearbox cooler form the rear of the rad and leave in situ, same for the ACE pump, remove from engine and tuck to one side.
Remove the secondary bulkhead and then some bell housing bolts from above the rest from below, disconnet the 2 exhaust downpipes and leave in situ as the engine comes forward away from them, Remove the starter motor to access the 4 flex plate bolts to allow the engine to be split from the transmission. Two engine mounts, one nut and one a bolt and leave the engine mount brackets on the block. When you're ready to remove the engine, support the gearbox so it doesn't drop once the engine is detached, take extra care not to damage the primary turbo actuator mounted on the rear of the turbo as it's very close as you need to split the engine and box and then raise the engine to clear the steering rack and diff tube and then you can come straight out forwards.

You should get an idea of what front end components need to be removed from my pics and it's quite well documented in the WSM. L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

4RRS wrote:

Retail on the short block is £5,669.46, with my measly discount comes down to £4,819.04, think I'm buying a very expensive temporary coffee table until it's needed!

Just scouting through the forum as this exact thing has happened to myself yesterday as I arrive at work. Almost like a stall in the engine then a knocking noise with cylinder 7 misfire. Checked the oil filter and some copper tinged swarf is visible. Going to attack it myself so may be back with a few questions if I get stuck of that's OK? Also looks like you did a good job with it! Hopefully i can have the same outcome. Just going to order the engine hoist and stand now. Did a couple hours on it last night

Sorry to hear that, sure you won't be the last!! Any queries, please feel free to ask. Hopefully you've caught it soon enough without too much damage. What year is your car?

Good luck!! L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

Hopefully but if I prepare for the worst anything better is a bonus. 2014 on 127k serviced every 5k. Got a bit of time before I go offshore so hoping I've got it back up and running by end of April with a holiday inbetween.

I saw 2014 in your profile, but noticed the later aero wiper arms and blades. Hopefully a crank regrind and new shells and you'll be good to go. Definitely change the oil cooler and oil pump too, and depending on how they look chains and guides. If you need the timing tools etc. I've still got everything from my build, in fact they've just been returned from someone who just did a rebuild on their SDV8. L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

On closer looking, early wiper arms with aftermarket aero blades, eyesight isn't getting any better!! L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

4RRS wrote:

I saw 2014 in your profile, but noticed the later aero wiper arms and blades. Hopefully a crank regrind and new shells and you'll be good to go. Definitely change the oil cooler and oil pump too, and depending on how they look chains and guides. If you need the timing tools etc. I've still got everything from my build, in fact they've just been returned from someone who just did a rebuild on their SDV8.

i might just take you up on that kind offer!