Chasing reco 10 bolt 3.9 heads

[Rovernaut]

Searching for a pair of 10 bolt 3.9 heads.
Due to time factor I thought it was easier to get the heads and rip old off and put new on ,as opposed to the extra delay of removing and having a machine shop reco them
I looked at TR spares web site in Adelaide they say $660 a pair for stage 1 recos.
Any one had any dealing with them?
It all boils down to $ also, what would a reco on my existing heads be worth anyway as a guide and any recommended suppliers?

[Lucus]

I had my 14 bolt heads machined down to 28cc combustion chambers, valves lapped valves, guides and springs measured and new valve stem seals installed for $220 per head. that was at a local machine shop here in perth.

I got the cc chambers reduced as the head where going on a low comp 4.6 short motor. I discussed why i needed the heads machined down with the engine builder and his response was "just turbo it" I love the way he thinks......:twisted:

[DeeJay]

I just got some Defender seats from TR. They were well packed on a small pallet & TNT delivered to my door- eventually, but this was not TR's fault.
Would recommend them.
Can't help you otherwise.
David

[Rovernaut]

still chasing a couple of other places, unfortunately I can't phone any one during work hours.
I sent a couple of emails off via a couple of well known Landrover suppliers web site enquiry forms and still waiting for days for replies. Can't be too keen.

[mumbo]

I am currently having total head and liners done at ORGER engineering in Scoresby Rd. They seem great and very reasionable priced

[p38arover]

If you get some heads, get them checked for hardness before you spend any money on them. Take them back for a refund if they are soft.

I took some heads to Bruce Davis and they phoned me back to say the heads were soft. At least they told me before any money was spent on them. Sure enough when later I checked the heads, they were indeed soft (we used a borrowed hardness tester from the local engine man, Bob Rea Engineering).

[sclarke]

Fred Smith has them reco sitting ont he shelf just awaiting your purchase

[Rovernaut]

Fred Smith has them reco sitting ont he shelf just awaiting your purchase
Thanks, Clarkie, I Will give him a call. But judging at prices I've been quoted already I may have to take the longer route and get mine redone.

[Rovernaut]

I am currently having total head and liners done at ORGER engineering in Scoresby Rd. They seem great and very reasionable priced
Is that the place opposite the Sex shop? As I was recommended to take mine to a place in Scoresby road opposite that establisment.

[sclarke]

Is that the place opposite the Sex shop? As I was recommended to take mine to a place in Scoresby road opposite that establisment.

Please let us know the price when you get them done.....

[Rovernaut]

Please let us know the price when you get them done.....
Just to give you and indiction o n change over.
Triumph rover spares SA. $900 shipped a pair stage 1.
Tried Toorak Tractor, He didn't have any heads but reckons $500. But he doesn't have any so the price is insignificant.
Smithy $700 change over and these are built for LPG , but there is an extra charge depending on the condition of the trade-ins.
So by the time I add the Gaskets, new head bolts, the costs starts climbing, and as the finances are a bit low at present I have to decide.
I replaced the head gasket 4 years ago and the engine had composite head gaskets, I gave a supplier my engine number and vin details and they sent me a VRS set with Tin head gaskets. I queried that with the supplier and another LR parts place and they both told me tin was acceptable.
I spoke to another reputable repairer the other day and he was not to keen to have any kind words on Tin gaskets!

[loanrangie]

Just to give you and indiction o n change over.
Triumph rover spares SA. $900 shipped a pair stage 1.
Tried Toorak Tractor, He didn't have any heads but reckons $500. But he doesn't have any so the price is insignificant.
Smithy $700 change over and these are built for LPG , but there is an extra charge depending on the condition of the trade-ins.
So by the time I add the Gaskets, new head bolts, the costs starts climbing, and as the finances are a bit low at present I have to decide.
I replaced the head gasket 4 years ago and the engine had composite head gaskets, I gave a supplier my engine number and vin details and they sent me a VRS set with Tin head gaskets. I queried that with the supplier and another LR parts place and they both told me tin was acceptable.
I spoke to another reputable repairer the other day and he was not to keen to have any kind words on Tin gaskets!

Dont pay extra for so called lpg modified heads, rover V8's dont need any mods. It is only cast iron heads that needed either hardened inserts fitted or the valve seats hardened in situ- rovers have always had inserts as all alloy heads that i know of.

[Rovernaut]

Please let us know the price when you get them done.....
Orger engine Rebuilders, I called in today, price depends on what needs doing. but indicated if I wanted the hamburger with the lot on mine should be around the $500 mark the pair, unless the valve guides are shot then a bit extra. So will have to organise a time to pull stuff apart

[sclarke]

Dont pay extra for so called lpg modified heads, rover V8's dont need any mods. It is only cast iron heads that needed either hardened inserts fitted or the valve seats hardened in situ- rovers have always had inserts as all alloy heads that i know of.

Nope the LPG heads have different inserts... the Std rover ones are too soft for LPG use.

[sclarke]

Orger engine Rebuilders, I called in today, price depends on what needs doing. but indicated if I wanted the hamburger with the lot on mine should be around the $500 mark the pair, unless the valve guides are shot then a bit extra. So will have to organise a time to pull stuff apart

What is the hamburger with the lot????

[Rovernaut]

What is the hamburger with the lot????
Pressure test, strip,clean, reface, grind, reset etc.
if you want pineapple with it, that's extra to do valve guides:D

[PLR]

Nope the LPG heads have different inserts... the Std rover ones are too soft for LPG use.

The early Rover heads like in the 2 door RR till around 76 and early Rover cars the 3.5 P cars all with the early small valve heads were not as good with LPG but still better than most local heads .

The lattest 3.9 heads are ok with LPG the later 3.5 heads are OK with LPG , the inbetween 3.5 heads are ok with LPG , with ULP the seats were change for the third time to my knowledge and there are plenty about that have done many Ks .

Why do you say the std Rover are " too soft " ?

What is it based on ?

Only asking because if you know something about it that i don`t , i`d like to be set straight .

Cheers , Peter .

[Rovernaut]

The early Rover heads like in the 2 door RR till around 76 and early Rover cars the 3.5 P cars all with the early small valve heads were not as good with LPG but still better than most local heads .

The lattest 3.9 heads are ok with LPG the later 3.5 heads are OK with LPG , the inbetween 3.5 heads are ok with LPG , with ULP the seats were change for the third time to my knowledge and there are plenty about that have done many Ks .

Why do you say the std Rover are " too soft " ?

What is it based on ?

Only asking because if you know something about it that i don`t , i`d like to be set straight .

Cheers , Peter .
I have been told by one supplier that they need better guides.
Then Orger told me they don't need doing for LPG, and they do a lot of recos for various Landrover specialists and motor bike shops and have been recommended for knowing their stuff.

[p38arover]

I have been told by one supplier that they need better guides.

My heads had been done with bronze guide inserts about 3 years ago. When they recently went to Bruce Davis for working, they said the bronze guides weere no go and the heads needed new guides. So the fited new genuine guides. I was surprised that OEM guides weren't that expensive.

[loanrangie]

Nope the LPG heads have different inserts... the Std rover ones are too soft for LPG use.

Crap, never heard of any problems with valve recession in rover heads. I did over 100k on lpg and when i pulled the heads to replace the gaskets all they needed was a light lap - had previosly done over 150k on untouched heads.

[p38arover]

I had over 100,000 LPG km on my P38A, too. The seats weren't replaced when the heads were done as part of the head work for the 4.6 rebuild late last year.

[Rovernaut]

I had over 100,000 LPG km on my P38A, too. The seats weren't replaced when the heads were done as part of the head work for the 4.6 rebuild late last year.
I've got 250,000 on mine 240000 of that on LPG will see when I take them in

[PLR]

I have been told by one supplier that they need better guides.
Then Orger told me they don't need doing for LPG, and they do a lot of recos for various Landrover specialists and motor bike shops and have been recommended for knowing their stuff.

I have 1 set of heads that have Kline guides ( bronze type ) , when dismantled they show more wear than std Rover guides for the same amount of work , both running on lpg of coarse .

You can spend as much money to reco heads as you can be convinced that you must .

Cheers