What to do?

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smurphy

Active Member

Posts

410

Location

The Potteries (Land of the Gods)

• Oct 28, 2008

• #1

Hi all
I'm about to replace the head gasket on my disco V8. Now the question do I just replace the side that has gone or both. Also as it has not overheated should I Have the head skimmed or not and do i need both heads doing too.

 

david451

New Member

Posts

1,955

Location

scotland

• Oct 28, 2008

• #2

smurphy said:

Hi all
I'm about to replace the head gasket on my disco V8. Now the question do I just replace the side that has gone or both. Also as it has not overheated should I Have the head skimmed or not and do i need both heads doing too.

Click to expand...

Just do the one thats gone, but only if it never overheated and if the coolant was clean, and not full of rusty ****e, get a straight edge, a steel rule, and check the fokir yerself. Look for where the gasket has blown and check that area particularily, the bigger v8s had a tendancy to slip liners, so run the edge over the block as well. Some need the head bolts replaced, but there is difference of opinion of whether you can use them again or not. Best to search where it has been discussed and make up your own mind.

 

Disco Moneypit

New Member

Posts

925

Location

North Derbyshire / South Yorkshire

• Oct 28, 2008

• #3

My 2p would be to take both heads off, get them checked for warpage, change both head gaskets, and fit new head bolts.

And as for slipped liners, tell me about it! :grr:

 

S

smurphy

Active Member

Posts

410

Location

The Potteries (Land of the Gods)

• Oct 28, 2008

• #4

Hope it's not the liners but I have heard that the 3.9 V8 has top hat bore liners that are supposed to be more robust. Also the tin head gaskets are prone to going on V8's I Believe. (maybe true or not just what I've heard). Ive asked around about changing the head bolts before. Other people have said they'll be fine as long as the head hasn't been off before so I'll see when I get it off.

 

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mjltigger

New Member

Posts

1,890

Location

Trowbridge, Wiltshire...

• Oct 29, 2008

• #5

how do you check the headbolts? I was under the impression you had to change them every time you did a head as they may have stretched in use and you can't tell...

 

S

smurphy

Active Member

Posts

410

Location

The Potteries (Land of the Gods)

• Oct 29, 2008

• #6

I'll see if the head gasket has been done before, also I asked a LD mechanic at the main dealers a friend knows and the LD parts suppliers in my area.