The head is of and problems start now

[220bhp]

Well I have taken the head of my 3 bloody b today, not bad for a cabinetmaker,but boy what a job. I have taken loads of pictures to help anyone in the future,but I am not sure how to load them on the forum, so if anyone can help in that direction I would be very greatful, you see, I am still in car'rier pigeon mode me.
I have to say its not easy, and right now I am not sure if I will ever get it back togeth'er again ,but it felt the same when I took the engine out, not a nice fealing I have to say, but we will press on.
Now the head is of I exspected to see whear the problem was but apart from the gasket not coming of as a complete item, {a bit was retained on the block},there is no sign of a leak from the cylinders to a water or oil way, or would this not be the case,I don;t know. I am sure the pictures will help if some one could help, I have managed to load them on to my comput'er, but now I am at a lose till I hear from someone

[hiltoa]

|See below.
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V

[Jamo]

Have a read of my sticky faq in the video section re hosting pics and videos.

Use photobucet and create your own album, it can also resize the pics automatically.

[s2dude]

Have a read of my sticky faq in the video section re hosting pics and videos.

Use photobucet and create your own album, it can also resize the pics automatically.

Bingo!
Lou, photobucket is the easiest and best option as Jamo says.

Sign up for a free account here

http://photobucket.com/

It only takes 2 minutes to sign up.
Then go to "your album" and select to upload say 5 pictures by going to the "Choose an image " Button and click the "add more images" link just below it. This will then give you 5 boxes with browse buttons by each one. Browse for your first pic on your pc in box one, do the same in box 2 for the next one....etc You dont need to use all the browse boxes if say you only had 3 pics. Likewise you can add up to 10 in one go by clicking the "add even more images" link!

Then click the big "UPLOAD" button underneath and sit back for a few minutes while they upload.
Photobucket will auto resize them for you.
They will now be in your photoalbum. Go to the first picture and there are three links with titles underneath the image.
Click in the "IMG Code" box and press control (Ctrl key) and C to copy the link. Now go to your S2 forum window in your browser and click Control and V key to paste this into your forum post. Do this for any other images you want to put in the post. IIRC its up to 9 links allowed per forum post.

if you click the preview button for your post you will be able to see the images in it if all has gone to plan. You can then click Submit when you have all the images in and in order etc
hth

[220bhp]

I have signed on to photobucket, and the pictures are in my album,but I can,t seem to get any futher,Ihave followed the instructins to the letter ,but nothing happens

[s2dude]

I have signed on to photobucket, and the pictures are in my album,but I can,t seem to get any futher,Ihave followed the instructins to the letter ,but nothing happens

Erm.
Copy the link below each picture that has IMG Tag as a heading. and then paste that image into your post on this forum?
please try and be more specific about why your stuck

[220bhp]

[s2dude]

Ahh.. You did it

Its hard to tell from pictures if you have any of the usual cracks between exhaust valves. You would need to remove the plugs and if it doesnt extend past I think 2 threads its ok ~ about 1.5mm iirc.
But what you really need to do is clean the head up of gasket and whatnot and take it to a proper machine shop. Get them to pressure test it, and if it holds pressure ok check the head for flatness and machine if needed. There is no cheap fix mate tho a lot cheaper with no labour costs

[220bhp]

I don;t know if any one can read anything in these pictures,but there are a few questions I would like answred, I thought when I took the head of I would see where the gasket had failed in an obvious place,and as the system was being pressurized ,I thought it would be between a cylinder and a waterway, but I can't see anything like that,I am no exspert,and don,t know what I looking for,so I had hoped that some one could help.
I will say the gasket is in prity poor shape , considering its only done about 3000mls, its not the same as the RS2 metal gasket I have as a replacement from GSF, it came from a motor factor in a gasket set,mistake on my part maybe.
THE other questions are what would you do know the head is of.I am going to have it checked for straighteness,and if can find some where to pressure test it ,have that done to.The valves have been done ,cam chain and disstributor replaced,new vacume pipes and samcos, waterpump cambelt ,oilpump,knock censors,n75,s3dump valve,lamda ,rad,air con compressor belts,mfts,oil sender,psp,,isv,tps,think thats it,ho crank sprocket and bolt,crank reground ,and new big end and main bearings.
WILL i need to totaly strip the head to have the pressure test done
MANY THANKS LOU

[Greg_S]

little off topic, did your cruise control work?

[s2dude]

Bl**dy hell lou...that cars had a few new bits!!
Yes, the head will need to be stripped to have a pressure test. These guys were very good with me

The Cylinder Head Shop
Moorland House, Church End
North Somercotes
Lincolnshire LN11-7PZ
01507 358666

and they also arrange a courier pickup of the head. If there is a crack internally in it this could be pressurising the system. linky
The shop above do proper pressure tests/
Gasket condition is tricky I would have thought with a paper gasket as it comes apart when you remove the head if it has been leaking..Get a straight edge engineering ruler, some feeler gauges, and you can then use the factory specs to test if the head is warped at all.
it will still need refinishing to a smoothness of 20Ra for best seal. That shop can get it this good too. hth

[madS2]

hi i think you should use the Victor Reinz head gasket kit as it is much thicker than standard.I've just done the head on mine plus pressure tested and skimmed to be on safe side,All in all £400ish so be prepared.

[Corey]

Just a note to update information, Len at the cylinder head shop is no longer trading from that address, which was a shame as he was fairly local to us.
He is in Ireland somewhere now but still trading.

[220bhp]

Anyone know of a place near SUFFOLK that can check the head for me.

[220bhp]

Had my mechan'ic round to look at the head and he found another more sev'er problem, one of the linnings in the block seams to have a crack in it,its a straight line and can be seen in the pictures below. So it looks like I am in need of a new block, and an afull lot of help and incouragement ,or I think I might just reace for the revolver.
What do I do now, new or recondistioned if so from where, do I try and find a second hand block, or sell the car and cut my losses. I have to say I am loosing the faith right now.