Head Gasket job

[pwd95]

She started missing Tuesday evening just before I got home. Parked in the garage & did the old tie wrap on the manifolds trick & hey presto number 1 & 3 are cool.
Borrowed a compression tester & this was the result....



So... the process begins.....



Standard trumpets then. Can't wait to measure the valve sizes. It'll be going back together with big valve heads, new cam etc

If the man maths allows a nice 4.6.


I'll keep you posted on here guys. Can't be arsed to post everything 3 times on Faceplant.

[njhucker]

Hi Wyn. Took the heads of my 400se at 60k, for no other reason than I thought it probably needed a decoke. It didn't as was remarkably clean. What did surprise me was the quality of the work that NCK did when they built it. Ports opened up and polished to the max and heads had stainless wire inserts around the combustion chambers which mated up with copper rings inserted in the gaskets

[pwd95]

njhucker said:

Hi Wyn. Took the heads of my 400se at 60k, for no other reason than I thought it probably needed a decoke. It didn't as was remarkably clean. What did surprise me was the quality of the work that NCK did when they built it. Ports opened up and polished to the max and heads had stainless wire inserts around the combustion chambers which mated up with copper rings inserted in the gaskets

Hi Nigel, yes heard NCK did some good work on the hot Wedges back then. Be very interesting to see what's in there...

[adam quantrill]

First check the valve lift as it might be the cam, which is a different kettle of fish.

Probably would only be inlet valve lift though.

After that then yes whip off no. 1 and 3 head.

Don't forget when cracking the head bolts - undo 1/4 of a turn and put back, until you have gone around the whole lot. Then start again and they will all come out nicely. Aoh - and drain some coolant - I find the block drain the easiest for this, so I can catch and reuse it.

[pwd95]

adam quantrill said:

First check the valve lift as it might be the cam, which is a different kettle of fish.

Probably would only be inlet valve lift though.

After that then yes whip off no. 1 and 3 head.

Don't forget when cracking the head bolts - undo 1/4 of a turn and put back, until you have gone around the whole lot. Then start again and they will all come out nicely. Aoh - and drain some coolant - I find the block drain the easiest for this, so I can catch and reuse it.

Not much antifreeze in mine. looks very clear so will flush it out & replace. Also the bottom of the rad looks wet so the rad is getting a re-core.

[Thundered]

pwd95 said:

adam quantrill said:

First check the valve lift as it might be the cam, which is a different kettle of fish.

Probably would only be inlet valve lift though.

After that then yes whip off no. 1 and 3 head.

Don't forget when cracking the head bolts - undo 1/4 of a turn and put back, until you have gone around the whole lot. Then start again and they will all come out nicely. Aoh - and drain some coolant - I find the block drain the easiest for this, so I can catch and reuse it.

Not much antifreeze in mine. looks very clear so will flush it out & replace. Also the bottom of the rad looks wet so the rad is getting a re-core.

Don't forget to change your headbolts too as they are stretch bolts and should only be used once after being torqued. You probably know that anyway...

[pwd95]

Probably use arp ...

[adam quantrill]

Yes I went over to ARP studs, even better, they are reuseable (and one side on mine they've been reused about 4 times while 'trying' different gaskets before settling on Elring.)

They have gone up in price though in recent times.

[pwd95]

Yes. These head bolts are terrifying!

[pwd95]

Clear blow between 1 & 3.....

[adam quantrill]

Trust you Wyn to break it :-)

Well looks like composite on there already so get an Elring one and slap it back together.

[pwd95]

Sounds like a plan....

[pwd95]

Any linky's?

[adam quantrill]

http://www.island-4x4.co.uk

1 x Head Gasket 3.9/4.0/4.2/4.6 10 Bolt Head (Elring) ERR7217G LVB500030G (LVB500030G) = £7.50

2016 prices though

https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/head-gasket-39404246-...

lol haven't gone up! Of course with a 10-bolt gasket you only use 10 head bolts. I put silicone in the unused little holes.

Also check your pushrods for straightness as island 4x4 do Britpart ones quite cheap, and they are fine.

4 x Pushrod V8 (Britpart) 603778 (603778) = £3.96

Also you probably will need

1 x Inlet / Valley Gasket V8 (Composite) LKJ500020 (LKJ500020) = £6.66

Edited by adam quantrill on Thursday 19th August 14:48

[adam quantrill]

Before I put my head on I got a flat sheet of glass and some poster paint (diluted) and laid the head on the glass, the red paint showed up any dips/ridges, and I just used some really fine wet and dry to slightly adjust it to be completely flat.

[pwd95]

not that confident with my sanding skills tbh. Will be taking them to Swansea Auto for a skim. No shims under the rocker shafts so will get suitable shims if need be.

[adam quantrill]

Maybe just inspection with the glass will obviate the need to even submit them for a skim. And I wouldn't even do the other side until you get a problem! :-)

Any luck with the ARP studs? I used part number 157-4301 from Rimmer Bros but I don't think they do them any more, about £120 back in the day.

Found this on fleabay, not too excruciating: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353398694283

[BlueWedgy]

I was looking at these a while back, but not sure about the shipping cost though.
https://thewedgeshopstore.com/arp-cylinder-head-st...

[62stevew]

Why not use RealSteel.co.uk ? You could probably even drive there.

[pwd95]

Will be putting the heads back on soon on the 400SE. Don't want to use strech bolts so does anyone know who sells the standard non strech bolts?
May use arp studs if not....