Head Gasket change?

I'm planning to do a head gasket change on my 1995 defender 300 tdi.

No particular reason, but I messed up a cam belt change last year, and luckily got away with just pushrods and one rocker. It's been using a bit more water lately and there are no obvious leaks. P gasket and water pump changed last year. It's done 199500 miles but runs well apart from a slight top end knock.

I have not done a head gasket on a Land Rover before, but plenty on Minis (old ones) and plenty other cars. My previous Land Rover discoveries x 3 have all obviously needed head gaskets doing by chuffing or drinking water, but have ended up at garages due to all the overtime I used to do.

Anyway, some questions.

Does the head always need skimming? Or can I just check it for cracking and warpage with a straight edge.

Stem seals will be changed and valves checked in case of bending from last disaster, and reground.

Followers checked, as above.

Anything else obvious I should do.

What sort of state are the manifold studs in (corroded?). If they are it may be worth changing them while its off for peace of mind. Plus if one does snap its easier get remnants out when the head is off.

Also worth checking uncompressed valve spring length to see if they are in spec and also valve/valve stem wear (or if you are feeling rich just replace anyway if they have 200k on them)

heads only need skimming if theres damage, wear or warping, if the face is good just clean up and refit, undo drain bung on block side before undoing head bolts

jamesmartin said:

heads only need skimming if theres damage, wear or warping, if the face is good just clean up and refit, undo drain bung on block side before undoing head bolts

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Cheers guys, yes better remember the block drain. I'll get it stripped and then post up flappy posts as and when I find any issues.

the head only needs skimming if it overheated, if it never overheats then the ally wont warp

Just a quick word of advice taken out of rather expensive experience. A friend of mine asked me to change his head gasket. There was nothing wrong with the gasket at all but there was some pitting in the head so we thought that coolant was leaking into the second cylinder. We got the head filled and skimmed and the valve seats ground, etc etc. The problem got worse. The engine billowed white smoke, pressurised the cooling system and overheated. We removed the head again and found one of the valves on the second cylinder wet with coolant. i suspect that the head was cracked internally. He ended up buying a new head.

head gasket on a 300 is easy,very straightforward