Headgasket failure?

jamesmartin said:

you just hold them with pliers it might help to taper one end if cheap pins

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That's exactly what I was trying to do (including the taper). I'll have a go tomorrow again in daylight. I was doing this with the hotspot in place in the head - are you supposed to do it to the hot spots outside the head first and then slot them into the head? Think my hands are too big for this sort of delicate work

which ever works for you ,there not easy especially without genuine pins

jamesmartin said:

which ever works for you ,there not easy especially without genuine pins

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Thanks James, I will persist

I removed the temp adapter from my old cylinder head expecting it to fit into the replacement one, but my existing adapter is far bigger than the matching hole on the other head. Have there been different versions at some point? I can only see one version in the parts book (ERC9432)

Evening all,

I've not made any progress with this due to work commitments and being ill. Anyhow, I had previously checked that the thermostat was working by checking that the top hose was warm (which it was) - well, when I disassembled the thermostat assembly, the thermostat was not present.

I'm guessing that because this was a ex-mod fitted for radio, that it spent it's entire life with the engine running charging the battery radios so at some point the thermostat would have been removed either when it had an overheating problem or to eliminate the risk of the thermostat breaking in the closed position. That explains why on cold days it took such a long time for the engine to warm up.

My question is, do I order an 82 or 74 degree thermostat, as the parts book shows both?

Made some reasonable progress today. Coolant (about 3L!) and oil drained from the sump. Oil filter replaced. Replacement head back on. Rocker assembly back on. Tappets adjusted. Rocker cover back on. Injectors and fuel lines in.

Plan for tomorrow is get the battery on charge. Connect fuel leak offs. Refit exhaust and intake manifolds. Refit breather assembly. Flush engine block. Flush radiator. Cowl back on. Refit cooling hoses. Refill radiator with coolant. Refill engine with oil. Bleed fuel system. Cross everything and fire up engine.

I don't have the correct temperature sensor\adapter so I'm just fitting a bolt in it's place (if I can find a suitable washer in my collection) as a temporary measure until I can get this sorted. I will be monitoring the temperature with a handheld infrared temp sensor. Are temps of around 90 reasonable for the cylinder head ok?

Weather forecast is clear for the morning with rain in the afternoon, so I'm going to be working my nuts off trying to get finished in the morning as I'm working on the driveway.

sp00k said:

Thanks James, I will persist

I removed the temp adapter from my old cylinder head expecting it to fit into the replacement one, but my existing adapter is far bigger than the matching hole on the other head. Have there been different versions at some point? I can only see one version in the parts book (ERC9432)

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There are two kinds of sensor like you say one is much bigger threaded part. I dont know part no. Im afraid if you cant get one pm me i have a contact who might help. I think the national suppliers like P....... etc. will have both kinds.

Just a quick update for those who may be interested.

The story so far, my original head was cracked and I had a blown headgasket. I bought a replacement head of ebay which was supposed to be reconditioned but after trying to fit it a couple of times without success and various symptoms in between, it turns out that the replacement head was warped, which I'm told is fairly unusual for a cast iron head.

I have since been in touch with the dealer that I bought the Landy off and he has replaced the head for me, so all is now well.

It's been a long but interesting journey. I've learned a lot about the engine and made some new friends along the way. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has helped and made suggestions - all much appreciated. Especially oldseadog and jamesmartin who helped me out a lot by answering my messages. When I catch up with them at some point, beers will be in order!

sp00k said:

Just a quick update for those who may be interested.

The story so far, my original head was cracked and I had a blown headgasket. I bought a replacement head of ebay which was supposed to be reconditioned but after trying to fit it a couple of times without success and various symptoms in between, it turns out that the replacement head was warped, which I'm told is fairly unusual for a cast iron head.

I have since been in touch with the dealer that I bought the Landy off and he has replaced the head for me, so all is now well.

It's been a long but interesting journey. I've learned a lot about the engine and made some new friends along the way. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has helped and made suggestions - all much appreciated. Especially oldseadog and jamesmartin who helped me out a lot by answering my messages. When I catch up with them at some point, beers will be in order!

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sorted another one back on the road

Been waiting for this announcement for a long time!

I wonder if James will be around to collect his beer?

By the way, pleased to hear about the Landy too!

Oldseadog said:

Been waiting for this announcement for a long time!

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That it was fixed or the beer?

I wonder if James will be around to collect his beer?

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Well i'm still going to be needing lots of help and advice in the future. I'm planning on going 200tdi at some point, but I'm not in any great hurry, so there's a few options as to how I can achieve that to be explored.

From what I can tell, I've actually got a good little runner now that the head is sorted. Starts at first turn of key, high compression, light breather and strong puller (for a NA). I'm just looking for some reliability out of it now. Body work is good and not a spot of rust anywhere on the chassis.

In the meantime, I just want to enjoy the landy for what it is, have some fun with it and potter on with all the little simple jobs I had in mind for it that I've been wanting to do since day one but been time barred due to the unexpected mechanical issues.

sp00k said:

That it was fixed or the beer? ...

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The beer of course

Priorities, dear friend, priorities!

Oh yes, and that she had been fixed ... of course!