Heads off, advice on what next

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cheet22

Member
Posts
54
Location
Hamilton, Scotland
Hi all,

Finally got both heads off today (been away for a week or so) and so am now considering what parts to replace etc. The block looks ok, I can't seen any evidence of a slipped liner, assuming I should feel a ridge at top of any cyclinder (which I can't)

Pics are here of the block and heads:

https://sites.google.com/site/paulsroverv8/head-gasket-replacement/heads-off-view

(im still updating this will all pics and still to add text)

My question is, what do I replace:

1. Heads - do I get them recon? How much has anyone paid for this, or just bought them already reconditioned?

2. Needs new rocker (one snapped) so do I replace both sides, shafts and rockers?

3. All gaskets need done of course

4. Exhaust manifold is cracked (had a blow) so that needs replaced

5. What about tappets, pushrods? Replace or leave as is?

6. Camshaft - looks a sizeable job and I'd rather try to get car on the road for winter if poss then look at it next summer - or is this a false economy?

7. Timing chain - same as above

8. Thermostat - its off, so I might just replace it

9. Radiator - should I flush it? Is that enough?

10. fuel rail/injectors? Any reason to replace?

11. Ram pipes (top of inlet manifold) - one was unseated - can I just hammer back in?

12. Heater matrix - any easier doing it now? Interior never got warm before it overheated, but might be ok I know

13. Watr pump?

anything else I missed?

Any advice appreciated - I am trying to spend just what I need to, but at same time I dont want to go through this again anytime soon!
 
the only way you can be sure blocked isnt cracked is to pressurise each bank ,i make blanks that cover water ways ,front one with tyre valve fill with hot water and pressurise with air line if cracked it bubbles up between liner and block,mostly ive found them cracked
 
cheet22 said:
Hi all,

Finally got both heads off today (been away for a week or so) and so am now considering what parts to replace etc. The block looks ok, I can't seen any evidence of a slipped liner, assuming I should feel a ridge at top of any cyclinder (which I can't)

Pics are here of the block and heads:

https://sites.google.com/site/paulsroverv8/head-gasket-replacement/heads-off-view

(im still updating this will all pics and still to add text)

My question is, what do I replace:

1. Heads - do I get them recon? How much has anyone paid for this, or just bought them already reconditioned?

Just regrind the valves and fit new valve stem oil seals from the head gasket set.

2. Needs new rocker (one snapped) so do I replace both sides, shafts and rockers?

Replace rocker shafts, tappets and push rods..cheap as chips and the shafts are known for wear especially on the underside-not noticeable until they are stripped down.

3. All gaskets need done of course

4. Exhaust manifold is cracked (had a blow) so that needs replaced

5. What about tappets, pushrods? Replace or leave as is?
See above.
6. Camshaft - looks a sizeable job and I'd rather try to get car on the road
for winter if poss then look at it next summer - or is this a false economy?
You have gone this far with the stripdown..Check the camshaft lobes for wear/flattening. If worn, replace together with new hydraulic tappets...Why double the work later on ??- Easier to do with the heads removed and the pushrods out of the way.

7. Timing chain - same as above
Yes replace the chain and sprockets..cheap enough.

8. Thermostat - its off, so I might just replace it
If it ain't broke don't change it.

9. Radiator - should I flush it? Is that enough?
A good flush won't do any harm.

10. fuel rail/injectors? Any reason to replace?
Again, if it ain't broke don't change it...The rail is not going to wear out, it's only a bent pipe at the end of the day

11. Ram pipes (top of inlet manifold) - one was unseated - can I just hammer back in?
Hammer???..Put a smear of loctite around the locating area and TAP it back in position.

12. Heater matrix - any easier doing it now? Interior never got warm before it overheated, but might be ok I know
Suck it and see...don't go looking for work until you are sure it's needed

13. Watr pump?
Replacement water pumps are peanuts, it will do no harm to replace it if you are unsure of when it was last changed.

anything else I missed?

Yes... getting on side of the Bank Manager !!!



Any advice appreciated - I am trying to spend just what I need to, but at same time I dont want to go through this again anytime soon!
Click to expand...
Good luck:)
 
Last edited:
I took them off due to overheating. Overheated a few weeks back and was suffering high pressure in coolant.

Jamesmartin, can you explain a bit more, is this presure testng the main block?
 
yes testing block one side at a time there are 3 water ways 2 on top face you blank and 1 at front behind front cover which i fit blank with tyre valve ,fill through top with hot water and pressurise its a clat but only way to know
 
Sorry just to clarify, would i need to take off front cover, refit water pump, blank off the waterways and then use a compessor to pressurize?

I'll do a bit of googling!
 
Im still a bit lost to be honest

Can you explain a bit more detail on what i would need and need to do? Anything to test the block is sound seems a good idea, just want to do it right.

As of now, i have the heads off, water pump off, but sump/front cover still on. If you can tell me briefly what i need two do that would be great! Just need pointers, i can suss out the how usually.....
 
to check block you need to remove front timing cover that will expose the 2 water ways fit a steel blank over water way with rubber gasket fit tyre valve in this blank (drill hole and pull valve through make similar blanks for 2 water ways on block top ,fit one with rubber gasket fill with as hot as possible water ,fit other blank ,pressurise block with air line watch around liner edges ,then do other bank ,both banks are seperate
 
Hi again,

Called to arrange to get heads refurbished today (really helpful guy at TM Smith, Coatbridge) - but as I went to go and drop them off I had a quick look under the bonnet coz something was bugging me.....

When I got the heads off last weekend, Saturday, the next day I noticed one cyclinder had a little amount of water in the cyclinder sitting on top of the piston. I kinda shrugged it off thinking I must have somehow dropped some in there (how I dont know) so just cleaned it up.

But anyway, just looked now, 2 days later, and that same cyclinder has about half a mug full of water sitting in it - its about 2/3 the way down on the stroke.

So is this indeed proof enough I have a liner problem/cracked block? Can see/feel no obvious holes/cracks, poured hot water in the water holes and nothing obvious. So Ive covered the cylinder and will check tomorrow am.

The guy at the head place says it usually comes out the top or bottom, so seems odd, but it could be a very slow 'seep' from the top, then running into the cyclinder. I wasn't really aware so much water would still be in, but lets see what sits there tomorrow.

Just as all my new parts/gaskets arrived too....damn!
 
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