Thread: Changing the "P" Gasket and taking the head off

If you are unsure of the condition it is worth buying three of the long bolts that secure the water pump through the P-Gasket and into the housing. They have a habit of corroding quite nicely and new bolts are cheap insurance. Would probably pay to look into changing up the water pump while it is all apart and getting the radiator rodded.

On a defender the trick that you will quite likely fall for is when your all done and dusted and bolting the head back on, you will forget to install the air cleaner bracket under the head bolts... requiring you to untension and then retension them!
Its quite frustrating. My trick to remember is to put a note with the angle guage saying aircleaner!

Diesel knock can be a myriad of things - pulling the head may or may not reveal all???

steve

May I suggest removing the gearbox in regards to the engine knock. Pat

In addition to the above advice, I was told to have the deck (and the lower surface of the head if reusing it) scrupulously clean before reassembly and it seems to have paid off.

Instead of using grease to lube the head bolts & flanges on assembly, there is now a specific lube for the purpose.

Due to the stretch torquing procedure, many users use new bolts.

If using Permatex Ultra for a water pump sealant allow to set overnight.

Originally Posted by PAT303

May I suggest removing the gearbox in regards to the engine knock. Pat

Be quieter if you just removed the engine wouldn't it? Use less fuel as well

. Pat

Disconnect the battery before removing the alternator


Drain the fluid from the block via the drain bung on the side between the alternator and turbo.


Loosen the water pump and p/s pulleys before you remove the serpentine belt.


release the p/s pump but leave it all connected, just lean it forwards.


Use a metal P-Gasket, there are still paper ones getting around.

Serious post,change the three bolts,use ultra blue on the gasket,this part is important,make sure you rough up BOTH surfaces with 80 grid sand paper,you want it rough,tighten all the bolts evenly,all of them including the water pump bolts,imagine your torquing a head. Pat

Thanks for the tips, although I will be leaving the engine and gearbox in situ for the moment! Gaskets have arrived so all I need now is a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Watch this space!