Thread: Which head to buy for a 300tdi

Try our very own forum member Roverlord.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/verandah/2...clearance.html

Originally Posted by Hamish3300

My options as far as I can see, in order of ascending price are

1. OEM / Britpart head - cheapest I did recently (OEM) the valve seats did not pass tests and had to be re done, I wouldn't recommend it
2. 'European made', new design for extra cooling - about $1150 for an assembled head, bolts and gaskets the improvements in design are reported to be worthwhile
3. 'AMC' head - most expensive.

My questions are therefore
1. Which head do I buy, and why? the best quality head your budget permits
2. Do I use another Elring gasket or a multi layered metal one? whichever the head manufacturer stipulates to ensure warranty

Cheers

also worth having a good look into why the gaskets have gone so quickly - is the deck flat, etc

I hope I never have to replace the head - touch wood - but in the past have taken note of Turner Engineering as a good source for AMC heads.

http://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/a...0Tdi.html#a293

Their current price for a complete 300 tdi head assembly is 345 UK pounds (AU$738). I wonder what their freight charges are like. Does anyone have a rough idea?

Cheers

OMV

The elring ones are rated highly. I believe some head suppliers warranties will only stick if you use elring. May be wrong. Ask some of the vendor members on here. Mountains of knowledge

Originally Posted by Fausto79

The elring ones are rated highly. I believe some head suppliers warranties will only stick if you use elring. May be wrong. Ask some of the vendor members on here. Mountains of knowledge

Some will say to use the MLS so it depends on the supplier, my head came with the elring composite in the kit.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

Yes, the deck is flat.

As described in my initial post the head went from two other failed parts - radiator hose initially, and then a faulty new thermostat (tested in the saucepan and not opening until 98C). Now that it has gone twice and been machined once I am presuming that it is not serviceable and needs replacing, thus my questions about which design head and gasket.

I have certainly read that many manufacturers will only supply the Elring gasket and this is what most of the heads seem to come with.

The cheapest option, OEM head from RoverLord is of the original design which did 20 years in the car - wouldn't a new one of the same design last just as long (if not longer as I maintain things).

Still, would love to have your collected wisdom on which of the 3 heads I should have.

Originally Posted by omvanders

I hope I never have to replace the head - touch wood - but in the past have taken note of Turner Engineering as a good source for AMC heads.

300TDI engine parts from Turner Engineering, LDF500180 cylinder head

Their current price for a complete 300 tdi head assembly is 345 UK pounds (AU$738). I wonder what their freight charges are like. Does anyone have a rough idea?

Cheers

OMV

I have had a look at the AMC heads on Turners' and their price seems to be 445 or 545 depending on which head. BUT interestingly they say in their description that the later design with improved water galleries is of no use as there are no corresponding castings in the block.

I would love to have your thoughts on this........

Originally Posted by Hamish3300

I have had a look at the AMC heads on Turners' and their price seems to be 445 or 545 depending on which head. BUT interestingly they say in their description that the later design with improved water galleries is of no use as there are no corresponding castings in the block.

I would love to have your thoughts on this........

i think the one with the extra water channels can still fit on the 300tdi but will not be any more efficient as the rest of the engine doesnt have the same channels. i think the extra cooling is for the 2.7litre engine and will only work to full capacity on that.

i thought they had a performance head as well where the valve ports were machines slightly different for better efficiency.

you said didnt ope till 98C. there are two types of thermostat you can buy. the 88C is the factory setting for discos. i believe you can buy a 98C one as well though. check that you didnt. it was either 78C or 98C but 98C seems more logical. so the thermostat may be working as intended and you just happened to buy the wrong one.