Member Since: 04 Mar 2015
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 94
V8 Engine Cylinder Heads Stripdown
Hi guys,
Having recently acquired a non running v8, I'm just starting the process of stripping the heads off the engine.
The car has suffered VSR having run on lpg for 140k miles of its life.
So far the front end body bits are off, and the loom etc is pulled back from the heads.
Next job is to remove the inlet manifold.
Still a bit undecided on whether to keep the lpg. First thought was no, but the savings might be worthwhile.
Watch this space!
4th May 2015 11:06 am
Alphamale
Member Since: 28 May 2014
Location: Belfast
Posts: 497
I'll be heading down this route myself soon. Would be helpful if you could post any photos you take, not just for me but any other 4.4 V8 owner with the same problems.
Not many V8 owners here and as mentioned in another post by myself regarding the 4.4 V8, there is not a lot of information here for us and the more we can share the better.
4th May 2015 12:09 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Mine had this problem just before I acquired it and the heads were replaced with LR replacements. I have subsequently found that JE Engineering do heads with hardened valve seats, and cheaper than OEM!
As I will looking into upgrading the heads, I would also be inyerested in seeing pics etc.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
4th May 2015 12:35 pm
MrWillfin
Member Since: 04 Mar 2015
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 94
No problem, have a few to upload already but nothing much to see just yet.
I've got a couple of prices, and if I don't bother with lpg going forward I won't need hardened balance seats.
Blackpool race and rally have the best quote so far and very honest description of the work.
Can't wait for it all to be done!
4th May 2015 1:12 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Im sure years ago I read about something which dripped a liquid into the inlet tratc and was meant to stop VSR, think it was Chris Perfect not sure if hes still around?
4th May 2015 5:34 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
There are a few products, such as FlashLube, but the consensus is they help but its not a solution.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
4th May 2015 6:57 pm
MrWillfin
Member Since: 04 Mar 2015
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 94
Well the inlet manifold is off... goodness me it looks a mess! Thankfully, most of the wires are labelled up, with all nuts and bolts in labelled bags so i know where everything goes.
Its opened up the engine bay quite nicely! What a lovely engine
Next is the front end of the engine, so the fan and all the pulleys and pulley covers to expose the timing chain!
After that, the exhaust downpipes, cam cover, cams and then finally the heads!
5th May 2015 6:58 pm
MrWillfin
Member Since: 04 Mar 2015
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 94
Here are a few shots having stripped off the front end, and pulled back a lot of the wiring. The inlet manifold is ready to be lifted.
Left and right banks, its a bit tight!
Now the inlet manifold is off... goodness me it looks a mess! Thankfully, most of the wires are labelled up, with all nuts and bolts in labelled bags so i know where everything goes.
Its opened up the engine bay quite nicely! What a lovely engine
Next is the front end of the engine, so the fan and all the pulleys and pulley covers to expose the timing chain!
After that, the exhaust downpipes, cam cover, cams and then finally the heads!
P.s - No idea why those photos are rotating, they weren't uploaded like that!
5th May 2015 6:59 pm
Alphamale
Member Since: 28 May 2014
Location: Belfast
Posts: 497
Will have you got yourself a Cam positioning tool yet i.e. LR part 303-530?
7th May 2015 12:50 pm
MrWillfin
Member Since: 04 Mar 2015
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 94
I haven't picked up any of the specialist tools yet, going to strip down and see what is needed. I may hire them, as all of the specialist tools to buy are over £500!
7th May 2015 1:20 pm
Alphamale
Member Since: 28 May 2014
Location: Belfast
Posts: 497
Have you seen this OTC (6680) Cam Tool Set - Ford 3.9L 4V Engine https://www.amazon.com/gp/buy/addressselec...1available for about £80 or so and even if you have to pay more for VAT it's a lot cheaper than the LR or Jag equivilant. The Jag, Disco 3, Ford and and couple of other engines all use the same heads and these are common them all I know I'll be ordering mine soon.
Edited: Just completed Amazon order £77.85.
7th May 2015 2:08 pm
MrWillfin
Member Since: 04 Mar 2015
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 94
Brilliant find.
Well it certainly looks the same! The book advises that two locking tools are used, have you order two of them?
7th May 2015 2:20 pm
Alphamale
Member Since: 28 May 2014
Location: Belfast
Posts: 497
No only ordered 1 because the manual I have goes through the procedure and uses only one changing it over part way though.
I thought that if I do need a second one it may be possible to fabricate it once I have the real thing in hand.
The procedure in my manual goes: To remove left hand cams; rotate engine until flats of right hand cams are face up, engine is now in safe position. Remove crankshaft position sensor and fit crankshaft locking tool. (do not, under any circumstances, loosen front crack pulley whilst the crankshaft locking tool is fitted) Remove the right-hand VCT control unit. Install the camshaft locking tool to RH cams.
Then it goes through the method of removing the RH chains and tensioners. Moves over to the left side and after removing the VCT there, says to position the tool on the left cams (once the right-hand chains are removed there is no risk of those cams moving while the left-hand is worked on anyway) and strip down that side. Build up would be the reverse of this and maybe where we decide if a 2nd cam tool is needed to ensure the left cams don't move while torqueing up the right sprockets, though I think that that is not very likey.
Member Since: 04 Mar 2015
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 94
Got the exhaust manifold bolts out and the rocker covers off.
Now the the front end covers off to get to the cam bolts etc.
Thought a pic or two of what it was like when it arrived!
9th May 2015 6:58 pm
CUCO
Member Since: 27 May 2011
Location: Spain & Oleee!!!
Posts: 609
Could you post a pic of the heads? I think that seeing the suffered VSR on these engines vs others could be interesant as I'm looking for a V8 to get lpg in it
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
