I've made some custard, now it's time for a headjob!

[pandaman]

Well, yeah maybe not actual custard, but an oil/water emulsion that looks like custard. Yep, I've blown a head gasket. Bloody well timed as well actually, I had my last exam on friday and I'm off work until december. I've also got a fair bit of cash saved up that I was going to spend on a brake upgrade and a few other fun bits and pieces.

Now I'm doing up a shopping list, so far I've got:
-head gaskets X 2
-set of head bolts
-set of lifters
-possibly a set of rocker arms and bridges. (already got rocker cover gaskets)
-radiator (it's not in real great shape, probably the main reason that the gasket died.)


Can anyone think of more stuff I should do while I've got the top end off?

[Full Spectrum]

what's the price on you headjob??

[greenfoam]

May as well change the cam while your that far in and changing lifters?

[J_D]

Inlet and exhaust gaskets as well.

[fitzy2005]

how much money u got saved? ported/polished/machined heads?

[defa]

ya might aswell do all that while you have it apart..

[pandaman]

Inlet and exhaust gaskets as well.

Cheers bud, I'm always forgetting things like that.

May as well change the cam while your that far in and changing lifters?

I've considered it, only thing is if I'm changing the cam to anything with more duration than stock, I'd really be best off getting the heads shaved to bump up compression a coupla points. Also new cam would mean new rods and springs at which point the only thing in the heads left untouched is the valves so hell might as well do them as well. I've really gotta consider how far I want to go with it. It's a damn nice idea and I'll price it up for sure, but if I'm gonna do it I want to do it properly, so if it looks too pricy, cam stays stock.

what's the price on you headjob??

Well assuming you're asking how much I want to spend, Not much. I've got around $1500 to play with, could probably stretch $500-$800 more if I put the hard word on the boss for a few shifts, mow some lawns, lean on a fella who owes me dosh and ask the parents for an early chrissy pressie.

If you're asking about the other kind, well, if you have to ask how much then you can't afford me.

[Shortstuff]

How are the welch plugs? The ones in the heads could be done while the heads are off.

[pandaman]

How are the welch plugs? The ones in the heads could be done while the heads are off.

Another good point! Truth be told, I haven't yet aquainted myself with the location of the welch plugs in the commo. I'll have a bit of a squiz tomorrow.

[Shortstuff]

Easiest one to see is on the passenger side head just under the coil packs.

Edit - Just remembered yours is a V8 and i'm thinking of a V6 so ignore this post!!!

[pandaman]

Easiest one to see is on the passenger side head just under the coil packs.

Edit - Just remembered yours is a V8 and i'm thinking of a V6 so ignore this post!!!

Hahaha cool, it's the idea that counts, I should be able to hunt 'em down without too much trouble.

Anyway, done a quick bit of research and come up with a few possible pathways, did up a budget for each. These numbers are deliberately on the high side, I like my projects to come in under budget.

BASIC
Radiator: $350
Gaskets: $200
Hydraulic lifters: $150
Head bolts: $50?

TOTAL: $750ish

FUN
Radiator: $350
Gaskets: $100
Head bolts: $50
Grp A/SV5000/crane 276 or rough equivalent cam replacement kit: $500
Valve springs: $100ish - mr spares has megatork for cheaper but I've never heard of the buggers.
Memcal with an appropriate rough tune for the cam: $???
Knock sensor: $135

TOTAL: $1235 + memcal.

The fun option would be a lot more work, but hey I've got the time. The only thing I'm not too sure about is the tune, while it's not really necessary for a small cam, I think it'd be a very good idea. So yeah, keep those thoughts and suggestions coming people! I'll dedicate most of tomorrow to chasing more prices and deciding what to do.

[xcop5l]

ok im going to rite you up a little list of things that you will need to do the head gaskets,
go into your local auto shop and get a vrs kit(also known as a valve regrind kit) (this kit has every thing you need to do the head gaskets)
theromstat
raidator(or a clean out) + hoses if theyre old
get the heads re surfaced
oil and filter(obvious)
head bolts (not nessary but do them any way)
water pump???

you wont need to do the lifters unless you do the cam
ok im putting the same cam in my 5ltr
ive already done the leg work and got prices for all the things i need to do it
cam $220
lifters $99 (high proformance hydrolic)
timing chain set $77
valve springs $90
to get the heads done $800 (slight port and polish, crack test, re surface/shave, re seat the valves and install the valve springs)
you will also need the stuff to do the heads and a timing cover gasket and a harmonic balance seal

most of this stuff is off the top of my head, ive done a few of these at work so if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask

[pandaman]

ok im going to rite you up a little list of things that you will need to do the head gaskets,
go into your local auto shop and get a vrs kit(also known as a valve regrind kit) (this kit has every thing you need to do the head gaskets)
theromstat
raidator(or a clean out) + hoses if theyre old
get the heads re surfaced
oil and filter(obvious)
head bolts (not nessary but do them any way)
water pump???

you wont need to do the lifters unless you do the cam
ok im putting the same cam in my 5ltr
ive already done the leg work and got prices for all the things i need to do it
cam $220
lifters $99 (high proformance hydrolic)
timing chain set $77
valve springs $90
to get the heads done $800 (slight port and polish, crack test, re surface/shave, re seat the valves and install the valve springs)
you will also need the stuff to do the heads and a timing cover gasket and a harmonic balance seal

most of this stuff is off the top of my head, ive done a few of these at work so if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask

The head gasket set and radiator are already on their way, god bless the internetty thingy. Thermostat and hoses are under 5000K's old, water pump is not suspect. Head bolts I'm having trouble finding, repco reckon they don't stock em, supercrap aren't even worth trying and the place I used to get parts from caught fire some time ago. I've got this thing against buying parts from dealerships as well, they're bigger rip offs than repco. However if I can find em, no big deal the old ones can be reused as they are not torque to yield, I'd prefer new ones though. I haven't decided whether I'll get the heads resurfaced, I'll make my mind up on that after I've checked them with a straight edge.

I'm doing the lifters because I feel like it, doesn't make sense to leave em there if I've got the whole top end off. I'm still somewhat undecided on the cam, there are many positives but it will require a lot of extra work and new valve springs. After reading the manual, looks like ya have to degas air con, remove condensor, remove timing case and gear (which will also require the sump to be dropped) a few other fiddly bits and pieces and then put it all back again. On the other hand, mr spares does a pretty nice deal on the 215i cam kit, the radiator's gonna be out anyway and it would be very nice to come out of this with the old girl going better than she was before I killed her and a bit more experience in fixing stuff.

Thanks for the advice, and if I have questions, you'll be the first person I PM.

[Full Spectrum]

Well assuming you're asking how much I want to spend, Not much. I've got around $1500 to play with, could probably stretch $500-$800 more if I put the hard word on the boss for a few shifts, mow some lawns, lean on a fella who owes me dosh and ask the parents for an early chrissy pressie.

If you're asking about the other kind, well, if you have to ask how much then you can't afford me.

So either way it's a expensive job

$380 for a radiator?. Where about you at melbourne?

[v6vn/vpwagon]

You can head bolts from coventrys in WA. Just call them and they can post them to you (08 9276 0111). Or they might be able to help you with where you can get them from over there.

[pandaman]

So either way it's a expensive job

$380 for a radiator?. Where about you at melbourne?

I'm near Canberra, ended up paying $300 plus postage for a brand new radiator. Still a lot cheaper than any of the local ripoff merchants.

[Full Spectrum]

I'm near Canberra, ended up paying $300 plus postage for a brand new radiator. Still a lot cheaper than any of the local ripoff merchants.

bugger i just got mine done $190 radiator and $70 fitted.
And just found my auto cooler is toast.

[xcop5l]

you dont need to do the head bolt unless you brake one when you take them out

[J_D]

you dont need to do the head bolt unless you brake one when you take them out

Most head bolts have a maximum length, after they exceed that length they should be replaced. Having said that, ive never replaced head bolts and always reuse them and never had any probs.

[pandaman]

bugger i just got mine done $190 radiator and $70 fitted.
And just found my auto cooler is toast.

Yours is a V6, V6 radiator is 2 core, V8 is 3 core.

you dont need to do the head bolt unless you brake one when you take them out

Yeah I know, but I'm a bit paranoid at the moment.

[xcop5l]

dont be ring holden and ask them for the max lenghts like J_D said. ive never had trouble with them, only the ford ones because they break so easly (dam ford shit)

[Full Spectrum]

Yours is a V6, V6 radiator is 2 core, V8 is 3 core.

Extra $50 for it

[pandaman]

Extra $50 for it

yeah? was that for reco or new? Cheapest new V8 radiator I could find locally was $350.

[xcop5l]

today i was quoted $200 for a 3 core v8 radator for my car (thats trade price) coz mine has blody started leaking.

hey pandaman have you started your headjob yet????

[pandaman]

today i was quoted $200 for a 3 core v8 radator for my car (thats trade price) coz mine has blody started leaking.

hey pandaman have you started your headjob yet????

Yeah mate, starting to feel pretty good about it. I've pulled off all the ancillaries, cooling gear and other assorted crap this afternoon, all thats left is to lift the manifolds, rocker covers, rockers and pushrods then heads. I'm aiming to have the heads off by tomorrow arvo. The only bit that's gonna be a real pain is making sure I label each and every rocker arm and pushrod so they can go back in the right place. Hopefully this time tomorrow I'll be able to report on the condition of the heads and valve gear.

Man you bugger's who can get trade price give me the shits. There used to be two fellas at repco who gave me trade price, but I don't think they work there any more, (probably gave good prices to too many people) and the fellas who work there now are tightarse pricks. So far I've bought all my parts over the net, all at least 20% cheaper than any quote I could find in the local region, this whole trade price/retail price thing sucks. Why the **** should I pay twice what a part is actually worth just because I wanna do the work myself? It's complete bullshit.

Ahh well, Y'all have a good weekend, I'll check back with ya tomorrow.