Thread: V8 disco 1 Head replacement help

What year and how many Kms on her, Cracker?

Has she had any engine work before?

If the heads are coming off,, stick a new cam in.

Before going all out on a full reco, take the heads off and clean them up. An old fashioned decoke and valve grind may be all it needs. Another exhaust vave could be sourced from a used head, I'm sure there's plenty in peoples sheds on this forum. It could cost you little more than a gasket set and a solid day's work. I've seen lumps of carbon break off and block open exhaust valves before today, either a hard thrashing or a valve grind would clear it.

She is a 97 with about 230,000km

Have thought about the valve grind to start with, she is just my bush and beach truck. So any work I can do myself on a budget and keep her going is huge bonus. Pots 2,4 and 5 had **** injectors. So looking at pulling off both sides and checking all valves. I thought that a secondhand valve installed and ground to suit seat should be ok. After all not the daily drive.

How dear are the improved cam shafts at what is the main gain??

Thanks again guys for your help and advise, this is great site.

at those kays the cam is well worn,, having 8 pistons covers it up pretty well.
That or just a new valve

If you replace the cam, then you have to replace lifters at the same time. And if you are replacing the cam, then you might as well replace the timing chain.

For the cam, it depends on how deep your pockets are, if you go for a Kent or similar then you're looking at the thick end of 8 or 9 hundred bucks.

However, just a standard cam, lifters, a new valve, gasket set, timing chain and gear will set you back $300 (I did all that and much more on my 98 a couple of years ago) and a solid weekend's work.

Help,
Finally getting time to replace burnt out valve. Following manual well, but have hit a snag. Does anyone have a hint as to how to pop the inlet manifold off. All bolts out but it will not part from the gasket??

Don,t want to just start hitting it.

Thanks
Cracker

PS, any advise or tips would be most welcome.

There should be somewhere front or rear that you can pop a large screwdriver or pry bar under to lever up to break the seal, Regards Frank.