It sounds like you have been very lucky.

I'm not aware of the week points, but it sounds like the chain breaking saved most of the damage.

What about these bolts you speak off ? Can that be fixed easily ?


As you say, mark the location of the valves, roll the valves along a flat surface, refit into the same positions they came out of. Gain confidence they have sealed using liquid.

Wonder what's under the other head? perfect condition or a mess ?

The broken bolts are the ones that hold the bearing caps on, there are 2 or 3 that look as though they were stretched to breaking point and these actually were loose enough that was able to unscrew them by hand from the head.

I will need to inspect all the working parts a bit closer and hopefully be able to get some new bolts for the bearing caps and/or replace the bearing caps. So far the damage I visibly see is 2/3 bearing cap bolts and a couple of the rockers.

Yes, indeed. Will be opening head number 2 (drivers side) as soon as I get this side sorted out.  RRS 2.7 HSE Stornoway Grey
P38 4.6 HSE V8

Bearing caps are line bored, and cannot be replaced individually. If this is the case, it will need a new head

The camshafts are also hollow. I don't imagine it would take a great deal of force to distort them...

Cheers DM. All bearing caps are still in one piece, it was a couple of bolts holding the bearing caps that broke off. But no doubt the bearing caps will be distorted at some level after this happening, correct? RRS 2.7 HSE Stornoway Grey
P38 4.6 HSE V8

Be a shame to put it back together, and have a bigger problem arise because of it...

Yes very true. I'm just trying to gauge what would have been distorted/bumped out of place/stretched etc; when such a major break occurs. By the sounds of things it's a lot, so yeah probably looks like a head replacement. RRS 2.7 HSE Stornoway Grey
P38 4.6 HSE V8

Found this on another post...




How does this bode for me replacing with 2nd hand head?

Does a 2nd hand head need skimmed?

What size head gasket required, as I believe there are 5 sizes. Is there a way/process to determine what size head gasket I require i.e. how do I find out what the maximum piston protrusion is? RRS 2.7 HSE Stornoway Grey
P38 4.6 HSE V8

As no pistons have been changed, you simply fit the same thickness gasket that was on there already.

It is identified by how many notches (or protrusions) are on the end of the head gasket.

AHH!! OK. I see the markings on the original gasket, nice one Andy. Thanks  RRS 2.7 HSE Stornoway Grey
P38 4.6 HSE V8

Will glow plugs come on 2nd hand head or is it a case of transferring them from my original head?

If I need to transfer them how difficult is this to do. I have read a post (I think on here) that the guy had a mare trying to drill them out! RRS 2.7 HSE Stornoway Grey
P38 4.6 HSE V8

They are a nightmare !

They will come with the head as no used sales person would dare remove them lol

Obviously you could check they work. Simple resistance check first if you have a meter? Should be 1R.
If they pass that connect to 12v and see if they get hot (without burning yourself).

I find they are best to remove with the head upside down.

No point fitting used ones.

Andy K wrote:

As no pistons have been changed, you simply fit the same thickness gasket that was on there already.

It is identified by how many notches (or protrusions) are on the end of the head gasket.

Isn't the head flat though?

Would be interested to learn more about what tolerance this gasket thickness is trying to get around.

With a cylinder head skimmed, it moves the valves closer to the pistons. A thicker gasket accounts for this removal of material

Andy K wrote:

They are a nightmare !

They will come with the head as no used sales person would dare remove them lol

Obviously you could check they work. Simple resistance check first if you have a meter? Should be 1R.
If they pass that connect to 12v and see if they get hot (without burning yourself).

I find they are best to remove with the head upside down.

No point fitting used ones.

OK thanks Andy, will try that check when I get to it.  RRS 2.7 HSE Stornoway Grey
P38 4.6 HSE V8