I like this, not (I agree) insurmountable, but a quick way to disable the car to deter the tea-leaves out there...

Can you take the insurance value and buy the wreck off them? Then at least you can salvage what is worthwhile. Are you sure the chassis is fecked? I can't help but think it'd take a heck of a lot of heat to do that. whatever, best of luck...

Cheers, I’ll be better when I’m sat in a working disco 2 TD5 LOL! Yea I’m good and the family, only was car and garage stuff so very lucky really. I do have contents insurance for the house so I’m thinking they will cover the stuff lost but...

Absolute Agony, hope you feel better soon, have to try and find some positives out of this at the end of the day it can be replaced you can’t. There may be more salvageable parts other than just the front end. House insurance might cover other...

OK, I'm going to dare to say it. Isn't insurance involved?

I got an AIRTEX 6395G a few years ago £58 , did you check the pulley wheels are tight , and no side play 6 mile should be ok

That’s good progress did you get some air out, have you got 2 wheel cylinders at each front wheel , there is a few other things to try if brakes still not adequate

Run the engine for thirty seconds without the belts. See if the noise reoccurrs. If not then it's probably the water pump, could be the impeller coming loose.

So clamped front hoses and got a solid pedal, so must be an issue with the front brakes. Clamped each side in turn and it appears to be front left. Tightened up connections and pedal now seems better??? Haven't tried driving yet though.

No, I checked with the belts loose. Should have taken the belts off shouldn't I :D. I'll check again with the belts off.

How did you check the pulleys, did you take the belts off?

I didn't have the springs on properly but do now. Will try clamping the hoses as you suggest thanks

I don't have the special tool either and have just carefully tapped around the seal to seat it' I do second @miktdish above re the seal, those brown ones fit easy enough but do not last in this situation and many have started to leak in a few...

Give the pulleys a wiggle and check the small screws are tight

No series engine has a timing belt. Sounds like it could be a fan pulley coming loose and catching the cowl, or an alternator bearing. Check the tension on the fan belt.

The manual is here and tells you how to bleed properly, what set up do you have , have you. Got the twin leading 11” drums on front http://smithies.co.nz/land_rover/ Clamping all three flexis is the place to start to find where the problem is ...

Old alternator back in. All good, exciter/warning light wire must not have been connected despite appearing to be in plastic holder. New alternator must be duff…Grrr. Thanks for help all! Al