luckymark said:

hi guys, as some of you may have read my shiny new p38(to me) blew up after only three days of ownership! it looks like its the cylinder head, does anybody know if a head from a 325td bmw is the same? it looks the same, but i want to make sure before i buy it(its going for a good price) any info or advice will be gratefully received :confused2:

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mcapinha said:

Beg to differ, the heads are not the same: the BMW heads have 6mm valves and the RR heads have 7mm valves. Ask me how I know.

But, a complete head from a BMW will be a direct fit to a RR engine block, if they have the same intake manifold to start with (alloy vs plastic).

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luckymark said:

any idea how i can tell which gasket to use? the head is already off the car and ive got no way of knowing what gasket it came with, why o why o why does everything have to be so complicated all the time! thanks for all the info so far guys

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wammers said:

Gasket thickness depends on average piston protrusion above block. If in doubt use gasket with three holes.

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rangerovertoy said:

Good advice there,only otherway i can think of is to
A measure the depth of head against old head ,or
B,look at old gasket and go one hole more to be safer?

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luckymark said:

thanks guys, i,l let you know how i get on, should be good for a laugh, ive never changed a diesel engine head before, or a head on an engine with a timing chain, so ive no doubt theres plenty more posts where this one came from! sad thing is everyones telling me to scrap the thing and not waste any more money, and i wont repeat what the ball and chain had to say on the matter, but even after only driving the thing for three days i think ive become addicted already! maybe i do need my head examined after all

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