Thread: 3.9 V8 Head gaskets replace ?

It's really not too hard James. I've done it a couple of times and it took about a day the second time. Get hold of a copy of RAVE - the instructions are easy to follow.

While you've got the heads off though, you may as well look at the camshaft and lifters, they'll probably need replacement too.
Pop the sump off and take a look at the big ends as well, chances are they will be worn.

Get yourself a top end gasket kit from one of the UK vendors, just make sure you get a quality one (Elring head gaskets for preference) not the cheapest you find.

Replace the head bolts with studs.

If you really want to do the cheapest job possible then just the basic gaskets for the top end would suffice. I recently bought a pair of genuine Elring head gaskets from Rovacraft and was amazed how cheap they were compared to another local LR retailer I've used (like 1/2 price). 2 head gaskets, 2 rocker cover gaskets and a valley gasket and you'll have the job done by evening so long as your heads check out flat. Rovacraft head office is in WA.

Oh and if you find the cam shows wear then later on when you're ready you can get another valley gasket and all the relevant bits, don't wait with doing the head gaskets or you won't have a motor to save.

You can even remove the heads individually without removing the whole intake manifold, took me about 3hrs to just replace the gaskets without any other work - i knew the heads were fine.

Best price I've found so far (in Australia) is from an evilBay seller down on a beach several miles long... Total of $257 for Elring set plus 20 head bolts, with postage.
($181 for gasket, $19 for post. Bolts $57 and no extra postage if combined) Should take a few weeks to get ALL the way across here...

A local supplier here in WA quoted me total of $315.
- $275 for STC 4082 gaskets plus $40 for bolt set. Hour and a half round trip.

From the Old Country, a 'famous' 4WD shop wants nearly $100 (£49) for the gasket set. Plus postage of ? and no brand specified. Guessing a week to 10 days.

A few YouTube videos and I'm feeling confident.
- Great excuse to take off the bull-bar and run new headlight/spots wiring and air hoses. Radiator needs re-soldering too.

You dont need to replace the head bolts on a V8, last set of head gaskets i bought cost me $55 from LRA - try them for prices as i have found them pretty good.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

You dont need to replace the head bolts on a V8, last set of head gaskets i bought cost me $55 from LRA - try them for prices as i have found them pretty good.

Feel free to contradict me, but I understood that the head bolts for the later V8s (94ish onwards?) were stretch bolts, and single use only.

Was that for 2 head gaskets (only) or the whole top-end kit. ?- Valley, ends, valve stem seals, rockers etc etc

My understanding is that Sarah's (38D28xxxx engine) is a 'stretch-bolt' engine. July '94 build, 3MA65xxxx body number.

Studs would be nicer, but the co$t can 't be justified against $40. Can't see myself taking off the head another 3 times.

Picked up the gasket set locally, same price as evilBay... Bolts from Bassendean for only $40. Not complaining about that...

Also got an expansion cap and top radiator hose. Naturally they were both incorrect, the cap got by me as the blue bag was'nt as see=thru as the hose one...
Ah well, back on Tuesday.