Hello!

[pyemaster]

Hi all, sorry for the delay on an update.

Right, it's FINALLY out of the garage two days ago, and it now drives with no issues at all. Total palaver over the last couple of months (haven't seen it since June) but after a great deal of money spent, it has now had -


-All grease points done
-New brake pads
-New oil and filter (will do again in 300 miles)
-New transmission and drivetrain oils
-New Roughtrax head
-New seals
-New head gasket and kit
-New cambelt
-New idler pulley
-New tensioner
-New water pump
-Newly recored radiator
-New rad cap
-New thermostat
-New top and bottom hoses
-New hose clips
-Fresh coolant
-New bushes
-New CV gaiters
-EGR removal

I'm probably missing some bits. There has been no expense spared whatsoever, I wanted to get it all done right, and have it run without issue for a great many years. Fingers ###### crossed.

Finally looking forward to driving it, and maybe start with some mild mods once my bank manager stops crying.

Owen

[woodwarm]

Perfect thanks so much, just what I needed to hear.

Owen

Any progress,head off, pics ??

[woodwarm]

Steel seal has been covered here before.

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=81978


See if soramad can give you a honest answer.?

soramad
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: cheltenham
Vehicle: ssr-g 3ltr td intercooler and toyota/lexus soarer V8 4ltr ltd
Posts: 494

Default
cooling system - not losing fluid anymore, the old girl still starts ok though sometimes its a bit lumpy, could be a corroded glow plug? Certainly no white smoke (steam) just a bit of black smoke when I accelerate (which I do a lot).
I was talking yesterday to a bloke in Tool Station who has been running his van for 7 months now after using the stuff I put in, he used 2 bottles and said that I should have done the same as my engine is a 3 ltr, but we'll see what happens.

[pyemaster]

Perfect thanks so much, just what I needed to hear.

Owen

[shokenore]

Just wanting to double check and get a second opinion, chill out. I've seen Chinese and Malaysian heads for sale, and am just wondering why this Italian head is considered better. I'm not doubting it, just would like some fresh reassurance before parting with north of £800.

Thanks for your help, you sound like a gent.

Owen

The AMC head is the one that nearly all the reputable stockists sell.
It is good value for money.
I should imagine that the amount of in warranty claims are very very low.
Ask Barry at Roughtrax how many heads he gets back via warranty.
Have a search here for warranty returns on AMC heads.

Yes it is a lot of money, but then again not really.
Assuming your radiator is still a radiator and the water pump is good and assuming someone hasn't filled the system up with rad sealer steel seal etc just to make sure it doesn't boil over before it disappears from the sellers view then once the head has been competently changed it will last a long long time.


Or not.
But it will probably be ok.

[tashtego]

Just wanting to double check and get a second opinion, chill out. I've seen Chinese and Malaysian heads for sale, and am just wondering why this Italian head is considered better. I'm not doubting it, just would like some fresh reassurance before parting with north of £800.

Thanks for your help, you sound like a gent.

Owen

Ha ha...the league of gentlemen indeed!

I did warn you tho'....

Cheers

[pyemaster]

Just wanting to double check and get a second opinion, chill out. I've seen Chinese and Malaysian heads for sale, and am just wondering why this Italian head is considered better. I'm not doubting it, just would like some fresh reassurance before parting with north of £800.

Thanks for your help, you sound like a gent.

Owen

[BUSHWHACKER]

Thanks chaps. And the AMC one is definitely the one to get?

Owen

FFS!
Read the previous posts including the links and you could answer your own questions.

[pyemaster]

Thanks chaps. And the AMC one is definitely the one to get?

Owen

[shokenore]

I don't think for price availability and delivery that you are going to beat the roughtrax price.

You may be able to source the AMC head cheaper but by the time you have added on gaskets and head bolts and all the other bits and bobs and then add on delivery for all the separate items the Roughtrax one comes out on top.Unless you can get trade discount from somewhere?

See if you can give Barry at Roughtrax a call?

I get all my important Surf parts from there, but I do save on the delivery costs as I am often passing their place.

Yes it is expensive very expensive especially on top of your investment already, but like Gra said fit it and forget it.

[pyemaster]

Doesn't seem to still exist?

Owen

[gwh200]

He is called the stockport engine co.

[gwh200]

Roughtrax all the way guv. Ebay heads should be avoided like Ebola. Just replace all your peripherals like water pump, stat, radiator if the one you have does or has had steel seal through it.
Like professor Whacker of bushes said, once replaced, the only thing you'll need to ever change after, is your birds name on the windscreen strip.

[pyemaster]

Just read up on the mythical Stevo, does anyone have an up to date number for him?

Owen

[pyemaster]

Guys, roughtrax do full cylinder head kits for circa £800.

http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/?doc=11&cid=614

The kit includes the full head gasket kit, but I'm wondering if I need all of those extra seals in the kit?

The site sells just the head gasket by itself separately, which I presume I could mate up with the standalone head which they also sell?

Could anyone who has changed a head gasket on a 3ltr tell me if I need the whole kit or whether just the gasket would be okay? Obviously I'd need to buy the bolts and cambelt separately too, but I'm trying to understand what are must haves and what are nice to haves.

Also is roughtrax the only place for this really? I see there are some cheaper heads on ebay but they come from Malaysia and I don't trust them.

Thanks for your help fellas.

Owen