Land Rover Repair: 1.8l 1998 freelander, big bang theory, box of chocolates

Question
Good day.
I have a 1.8L freelander 1998 and a 2.0L Td 1999. I ahve never had so many problems with vehicles in my life and have over the past 18 months spent double of what the vehicles are worth, so i am still trying to get them to pay me back in mileage.Thery have both been in 4 times to so called landy experts but lets look at the 1.8L. This vehicle has had the motor done 4 times in 12000km. It has only done 156 000.Due to it being in for repairs most of the time. They do no offroad work but are used as cars. The 1.8L uses water and has to be continually topped up but has no leaks. It eventually blows the head (4). the new multi layered gasket is being used and torqued as per spec.On one occasion it was found the sleeve on piston one had dropped slightly ( 2nd time). 3rd time sleeves were level.The head has been checked and not cracked.It has never overheated into the red but blows at about 3/4 heat gauge. What can be causing this?. In a state of desperation is there any conversion that i can replace the motor with one more reliable and what motors are compatable for a conversion. I am too scared to use either of them other than on 50 km trips from home. The 2.0L td is another box of chocolates which i will get to later. 1st things first. They are standing side by side( favourite place) in the third workshop and nobody can get these things running for more than 3-5000 km before the next big bang theory.
Any light.

regards
Bruce

Answer
I'm sorry to say that engine is really junk, and I do not know of a replacement option.  Here in the USA they are just scrapped because repair exceeds the vehicle value every time.  I wish I could tell you there was something wrong with the work being done, or a tip to fix it, but the problem is in the block and there is just not much you can do.

Sorry

John