Thread: Back home again.

If its been that hot then its time for a new head.

Give Turners in the UK a call 300TDI engine parts from Turner Engineering, LDF500180 cylinder head Excellent service,parts arrive within the week.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

If its been that hot then its time for a new head.

I have repaired a few cylinder heads over the years, but I am puzzled why these particular engines seem to have "throwaway" heads, the engine is not high tech, so why are they so disposable, what happens to them?
As I have more time than money for what is only a bit of a project and a sentimental attachment to the old Disco, I will see what can be done with what we have already have to work with, it is an old car I guess so it may be that it will just become a parts donor car for our other Disco. Anyway, this particular car would not be valued to the price of a new head, like the old joke, "fill the tank and double the value of the vehicle".

The heads when new have an anodizing coating put on the head surface and machining to get rid of the warp (usually between 2&3) removes this coating. The metal in the head can become soft so even if you machine the warp out it will warp again blowing another head gasket (composite), I have found that by using the Laminated metal head gasket, even with a warped head you will get satisfactory service from a warped, then machined head. Also the head is also prone to cracks, the ones around the glow plug holes are not a worry, but when they crack across valve seat pockets or into water jackets they are scrap. Solution, cast iron head, which no one makes, Regards Frank.

Cast iron head, YES!, my sentiments exactly Frank, I've said it before mate, you're a man after my own heart. While we are solving Disco "Achilles heel" problems lets get rid of that stupid timing belt and fit a double row timing chain, absolutely perfect, reliable turbo diesel engine that would have given the Disco a reputation of strength and durability same that is attributed to the Toyota Diesels.

Gaz,
I have a couple of heads that may be in better condition than the chuffer.
As Frank has said, they can get soft after skimming but a 10thou skim to flatten then MLS gasket and you should be good to go

I have a new mill now that you would be welcome to spin the handles on if you are up to doing it yourself. Have a 1" High speed Steel fly cutter or a much larger 2" carbide tipped fly cutter but it is missing one tooth (out of 6) as I said thou I have a few heads so you could have a practice run!!!!

The issue will be whether the current head is gone at the gasket or internally between valve and water jacket.

S

Steve, I am sort of thinking it is just the head gasket leaking gas out into the jacket, we topped up the coolant and let the engine sit then started it up, it kicked off with no hydraulicing started up sweet as on all 4 cylinders, but as soon as it runs it pushes gouts of water out of whatever is open in the cooling system.
I would have thought that a crack in the head may provide a direct flow of water into the cylinder resulting in a hydraulic lock on restart.
Thanks for the offer of use of the mill, I am out of town for a week or two but will check in with you when I'm back.
What is the good oil on a replacement head gasket, Frank mentioned a special one as well, laminated metal?
Gaz.