Head reconditioning

[pyrite]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222145870799

Hi was just wondering if anyone had used the above company to recondition their cylinder head or have any recommendations?

Thanks andy

[SD1too]

Why are you considering having this done Andy?

Simon

[pyrite]

Simon I do not have the tools to remove valves or measure the head height, as I've read it's best to have the seats recut, I thought I might as well get it all done professionally

[SD1too]

Sorry Andy, I obviously didn't phrase my question properly.

I was wondering what the problem is with your engine, and why you suspect that the head height is incorrect and the valve seats are defective, but I see from your earlier thread that you measured low compression on cylinders 3 & 4.

With that evidence, have you inspected that end of the head gasket carefully? You said, I think, that you had no symptoms of normal gasket failure, so is there really a case for skimming it? Bear in mind that it's said that the face of the 1.8 head was specially finished at the factory and this is lost if it is subsequently skimmed. You can check that it is true with a straight edge and feeler gauges.

Do you have any evidence of eroded valve seats, or are you just clutching at straws?

If you can prove a problem with the head, I would strongly recommend that you find a specialist engineering workshop and send it to them for reconditioning. MGJohn has done this and can recommend one. In my view, it's usually best to keep your original parts rather than buying a head of unknown history and quality on the basis of a description from an e-bay seller about whom you know very little.

Simon

[pyrite]

Simon thankyou for your time in answering,
The car has had a previous head gasket repair and was fitted with a mls type gasket, however the block has uneven liner heights with cylinder 3 and 4 almost flush and there was evidence of slight coolant weep from here which probaby explains the lower compression readings on these two cylinders.
To my untrained eye ( first time I've taken off a cylinder head) it looks like it has already had a skim which was why I was wondering about the head height although it does appear to be straight using a straight edge and feelers. With regard to the valve seats I only mentioned this as I've seen a couple of posts where other members have recommended having these recut when undertaking head gasket repairs.

I was erring on the side of caution by thinking of having the head reconditioned with possibly using a shim as beinet1 recently posted about, the ebay link was for a reconditioning service but I was really hoping to use a reccommended workshop.

Andy

[SD1too]

I was erring on the side of caution by thinking of having the head reconditioned ...
To my way of thinking, erring on the side of caution would mean not having the head reconditioned! ;)

You might be interested in what Land Rover Technical Bulletin 0036 (dated 18.06.04) has to say. The cylinder head should be replaced (remember that this is written for dealers) if pitting, porosity, pinholes or indentation from the gasket's bore eyelets can be detected. The gasket surface should be flat within 0.05 mm (0.002 ins.). It can be refaced to remove scratches or handling damage up to 0.2 mm deep.

As far as liner height is concerned, the bulletin says that they can be level with or 0.075 mm (0.003 ins) above the face of the block. It is only a matter of concern if the liners are below the block face.

Simon

[pyrite]

So why is reconditioning so bad? Unless I'm using the wrong terminology I was just going to have it cleaned decoked, valves checked and reseated if necessary, new seals and the head pressure tested and only skimmed if not flat.
What would be the alternative? Sorry if dumb question but as mentioned before this is all new to me.
I've tried to attach photo but using phone so not sure if it's going to work :shrug:

[Lovel]

You might find that the costs to recondition will exceed the cost of new, and rather than waste money or time on reconditioning and to remove any doubts. You cant go far wrong with a new head assembly. You might find cheaper, I bought some at £200.00 each which I thought was cracking value.

Examples:

£295.00
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLEARANCE-Genuine-Freelander-Rover-K-Series-Cylinder-Head-LDF109380L-RRP-1-102-/131835427753?hash=item1eb200fba9:g:-RoAAOSwdsFUPq71

£252.00
http://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/land-rover-freelander/freelander-1/parts/engine/ldf109390l-cylinder-head-1-8-petrol-no-valves-for-engines-with-auto-tensioners.html