Plactic Head Dowels

You can always make your own steel dowels for the earlier ones, like I did. I took the advice of an engine reconditioning business and used the shank of an 8mm drill bit, cut to the length of the plastic ones. But the plastic only becomes a problem if the head comes loose enough to move.

Bugger will be checking my vin numbers to night as I have fitted the steel dowels when I did my head gasket about 30 000 km's ago.

Well when I rebuilt mine it got the metal dowels. It's running fine and I am not removing them now! But then mine is a 2001 so should fall before that range.

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Originally Posted by George130

Well when I rebuilt mine it got the metal dowels. It's running fine and I am not removing them now! But then mine is a 2001 so should fall before that range.

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CAUTION:
Td5 derivatives prior to the above VIN ranges must not, under any
circumstances, be fitted with the new steel dowels. If steel dowels are fitted to earlier engines, cylinder head cracking may result.

My Td5 is also a 2001 mate and the way i read the caution note it applies to TD5's prior to 2002 that should retain their plastic dowls, hope i'm reading it wrong though.

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Originally Posted by PhillWilde

CAUTION:
Td5 derivatives prior to the above VIN ranges must not, under any
circumstances, be fitted with the new steel dowels. If steel dowels are fitted to earlier engines, cylinder head cracking may result.

My Td5 is also a 2001 mate and the way i read the caution note it applies to TD5's prior to 2002 that should retain their plastic dowls, hope i'm reading it wrong though.

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So do I. Cost way to much last time so it's not coming apart till it goes bang.

Mine had never overheated when it had a slow coolant leak. Had a slow coolant leak for a long time, then started to lose compression, starting roughly, then one day spat its coolant suddenly and cooked. So I've never been sure if the head was cracked beforehand or if it was just the gasket.
:(
Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PhillWilde

CAUTION:
Td5 derivatives prior to the above VIN ranges must not, under any
circumstances, be fitted with the new steel dowels. If steel dowels are fitted to earlier engines, cylinder head cracking may result.

My Td5 is also a 2001 mate and the way i read the caution note it applies to TD5's prior to 2002 that should retain their plastic dowls, hope i'm reading it wrong though.

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So its pretty much saying any Td5 Before 2002 SHOULDNT be fitted with the steel Head dowels ???Mine is a 1999 so its definatley Prior to 2002 but i have been told i can fit the steel Dowels. if i fix them i really couldnt afford a Cracked head. is the Vin Number shown reading from the back to the front the last 8 numbers inwards ??

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Originally Posted by Defender=1st

Mine is a 1999 so its definatley Prior to 2002 but i have been told i can fit the steel Dowels. how do you check ?? if i fix them i really couldnt afford a Cracked head

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Adrian, If the head cracks AFTER I fit the steel dowels, AND they are definately the cause, then I would be VERY suprised, as I have done quite a few now and all are well.


JC

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Originally Posted by justinc

Adrian, If the head cracks AFTER I fit the steel dowels, AND they are definately the cause, then I would be VERY suprised, as I have done quite a few now and all are well.


JC

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Gday JC i wasnt Doubting you i just wasnt sure as mine is in the model is says shouldnt be fitted with the Steel Dowels. as its prior to 1999 and not in the right VIN range.. i think (VIN range is a but confusing)
Regards Adrian

Defender 1st I have done 20,000 since the head rebuild. I spoke with the suppliers and they had no issues. The Local Landy guys didn't either.