Thread: TD5 Cylinder head for reconditioning

Originally Posted by DeeJay

I just bought a non goer Disco TD5 & have removed the cyl head as it had a coolant loss,
Being a 10p the plastic locating dowels had shattered & obviously the head danced around.
It looks OK, but I want it tested.
Not having done this before
Do I remove the injectors, glow plugs & what about the rockers?
I've removed the exhaust & inlet manifolds.
Thanks, David

To get it surfaced it will first need to pass a hardness test, if it passes this it can be surfaced... Although land Rover say no, buy a new one.

It doesn't need anything removed to be hardness tested, but if it passes, it will need everything removed.

So .. probably pull everything either way.

If you replace the head, you will want those bits, if you surface they need to be pulled anyway.

Cheers
James

I should add that it may need the exhaust manifold studs removing as well, which if you are going this far, is not a bad idea so you can upgrade them as well, and they may want to check that surface.

only take off what you need to put the head on its back.

if you dont smoke buy or bum some tally ho papers.

if you dont have a good straight edge also bum one off a mate as well

put the straight edge on the head and see if you can slide the ciggy paper underneath.

if it bites in some places and has heaps of space in others I would step up to a feeler gauge .0015 being thinnest and do same checks

if it passes ok then buy a new gasket and steel locating dowels and fit those and bolt it back up. same for manifolds.

you will probably save yourself $5-10k or more than by following forum advice

I realise the economy is tightening significantly, but cutting corners on TD5 heads will probably lead to further pain.

I figure it's just under $1k for all the bits to put a TD5 head back on, so not getting it hardness tested and even crack tested is false economy.

Definitely wouldn't fit it back without a hardness test.

So why not get it checked for flatness professionally while it's there..

Just my thoughts, although I subscribe to the theory of "if worth doing, do it well".

Of course just because I would do it doesn't mean anyone else has to!

Just giving some insight into my line of reasoning.

Cheers
James

I've removed the head, just down to valves & springs & it's now at the reconditioners. They can skim it, pressure & hardness test it, & re seat the valves for a max of $700.
Of course, each process would follow the other.

Thanks for the feedback.