If I had the cash I'd get a new reman or a used engine and go through it before installing it making sure it too wasn't overheated or whatever. Do the chain deal, vacuum pump, everything that normally fails. You take risks buying used so that short block for $8k is less money, but could be a roll of the dice and have a hidden problem from being overheated (warped heads, cracked head gasket, warped block) that can't be seen and/or was cleaned up where a quality $14k reman will have a warranty and will last 200k mi properly maintained. You won't need the warranty if they do it right.
For LR4 prices those quoted above seem low now, my rig was $15k and not fully sorted until $30k at 97k miles. I'd love to have found a fully sorted rig but they are hard to find. One guy wanted $25k for his LR4 with the chain work done and I felt it was too much, not the right colors, no HD, wasn't fully sorted (they all lie).
No regrets at all and would do it again. Only thing I'd do different is start sooner, but I didn't discover the LR4 until one came up on Craigslist. I test drove it and I knew it was what I wanted. It had problems so I passed. But now 115k miles on the one I found in CA and I love it lol. To me its worth more than $30k because I still wouldn't find antying that fits what I need until jumping to a Defender or Bronco and the 110 needs a V8 or nothing. The Bronco isn't really setup for overlanding like I want. But its body on frame, lockers, looks pretty tight, slow on the freeway, costs $60k and its ball-less.
