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Thread: Reconditioned cylinder heads in Australia- Where to buy?

  1. #1
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    Reconditioned cylinder heads in Australia- Where to buy?

    Greetings Forum, Thanks for allowing me to be a part of the RR community here on AULRO.

    I'm a dedicated P38a owner and am quite fond of my remarkably well preserved 1998 HSE 4.6 GEMS truck and take great pleasure in fastidiously caring for my "Betty".
    All her periodic and intervals maintenance requirements are maintained on time and she has proven to be a rock solid daily driver.
    She is approaching the mileage count where I believe it's time to change the head gaskets and have a peek inside to make sure all is well.
    I am not concerned by the piston sleeve slip issue known to affect this engine design as the rebuild performed 60,000k ago, addressed this, according to the service records that came with the vehicle upon my purchasing her.
    I would much prefer to buy reconditioned/remanufactured heads to install, and have the existing heads rebuilt later down the track.
    I'm sure it's no news that finding reconditioned heads here in Australia is proving to be a bit of a challenge. I am aware that British Atlantic has these heads reconditioned [and at a very fair price] available but my preference is to source them from here in Australia if at all possible. If I must import them, I suppose I must but again, my preference is to source Australia for a reasonable price for quality reconditioned heads.
    Since my P38 has not had any issues to speak of, I am not well acquainted with who the trusted reliable service providers are.
    I did contact my local Range Rover repair shop but I do not feel comfortable with their service ability or their manner of business, which is a terrible shame because they less than a stones throw from us.
    So, I am here to gather the general consensus view of where and who might be able to source parts ( nationwide) and possibly service ( in Victoria). I have recently been in touch with a repair shop called Rangie Heaven in Cranbourne and he does seem to be a very enthusiastic, knowledgable, and honest RR mechanic.
    While I am not in a state of crisis with my truck, I have noticed an approximate 0.2 liter drop in my coolant level over the span of 10-20 days, so I will want to be onto doing the heads and rebuilding the front end seal behind the water pump in the very near future.
    Any and all suggestions are greatly and kindly appreciated. Warm regards to all, Gene

  2. #2
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    G'day and welcome!

    Having a quick read there, I wouldn't worry about the heads or gaskets - 60,000km is only a very short period since a full rebuild. Perhaps in another 90,000km you'd expect to be getting close to gasket time.

    Otherwise, I can't help with the sourcing of reco heads.

    Good luck in your search :-)

    Cheers
    Keithy

    2002 P38 Range Rover HSE

    Sequential LPG - Redarc Charger - TPMS - Ashcroft Locker
    Wheel Carrier - Bullbar & Spotlights - 285/75/16 BFG KM3’s
    On Board Solar - Stainless Snorkel - 2” Suspension Lift

  3. #3
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    I agree, it may be best to leave well enough alone unless you have some specific issues which need attention

    Steve

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    Maybe buy a used set and get them re-co'd?
    as long as they are hard enough you'll only gain a bit of compression,,

    and maybe some bigger inlet valves?
    and a cam, and --
    "How long since you've visited The Good Oil?"

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  5. #5
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    Keep an eye out for any temperature variations etc. but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The boys at Rangie Heaven are great to deal with. Peter the owner is extremely knowledgeable with just about all Land Rover products, and he'll tell you that the 4.6 do weap a little coolant towards the front of the heads more so if they've got the hardened thin teflon based gaskets that don't have much give. He recommends the softer gaskets that compress more evenly to the block, and are less prone to failure and weapich.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by GMichaelHall View Post
    .....
    So, I am here to gather the general consensus view of where and who might be able to source parts ( nationwide) and possibly service ( in Victoria). ....
    A little closer to home(ie. your home) is LRA.
    Les Richmond Automotive.
    Back in the day they used to be called Rangie Spares, and I had dealings with them when I had my RRC.
    My D1 has been pretty much reliable so have yet to need them for specialist work .. but I also try to do as much as I can myself tho.

    Anyhow, they're location is Thomastown, so the freeway up to the northern suburbs and then across on the ring road towards Thomastown .. saves you about 40-50klms(each way) to cross the big smoke and down into Cranbourne.

  7. #7
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    Red face

    Quote Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift View Post
    Maybe buy a used set and get them re-co'd?
    as long as they are hard enough you'll only gain a bit of compression,,

    and maybe some bigger inlet valves?
    and a cam, and --

    Hahaha..but where does one stop off at eh?!!! That all sounds like the go for me, I think what I am going to do is get my heads off, have the machine check them out and regardless of their current state, I'll have them reconditioned . The gasket choice seems to be a prickly subject with some. Some say OEM all the way, others suggest brands like Dura-Pro because they compress better and leak less. I just had a small set back today, RovaParts say they won't sell parts to me because I would be cutting a shops throat by doing it myself. To say I was shocked would be an understatement, to point out how awfully petty that is would probably sound like I'm just whinging. The main reason I want to do this project myself is because I love the truck, want the experience and the chance to get out from behind the mixing console for some challenging side project. The thought of somehow this being percieved as deviant or maligning or undercutting someone is just ludicrious and rather small minded. I suppose I'll be importing parts under the circumstances , which gives me more time to get the exhaaust manifold heat shields off that someone left me a present of stripped out bolts heads on! Thanks to all you guys with your suggestions, and I agree, Peter at Rangie Heaven and his father Allan are top flight blokes who really seem passionate and knowledgeable about P38's. I had contacted other shops and the first they did was run my truck down as being old and problematic, that is definitely not the kind of shop I want touching my beloved Betty.
    I do like the sound of bigger inlet valves.... ;-)

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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheTree View Post

    Heya Steve,
    Thanks mate!

    I'll go have a look at these right now! I think I'm going to do the whole top and front end rebuild ( seal behind the water pump ) for my Black Betty, she has been such a GEM ( pun intended!) and it would make my wife really happy if BB were restored to her total glory. Thanks for lead and the link, Im assuming this mob can sort a VRS kit with all the gaskets necessary..I'll definitely report back via this thread as to how I proceed, and how progress is going. Got the RH exhaust manifold heat shield off regardless of the stripped bolt heads, a little map gas and a 5 second blast of that Loktite Freeze and out they came..happy days. It can only be gravy from here on out

  10. #10
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    I just ordered a VRS kit from Mario (Roverlord). Elring head gaskets, and a new set of head bolts, under $250 inc postage to Qld.
    Personally, I'd stay right away from the drongo who had a winge at you about buying parts to do it yourself
    -----
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