89 MPFI Head Questions

[suby87]

Hey guys
I have a couple of questions regarding the above heads.
1. The small cracks between the valves do you really have to have these repaired or will it still run fine with them there. (will photos up shortly)
2. One side got that hot it melted the cam belt covers slightly is this a sign the head is totally stuffed or just gasket.
3. The gasket has a hole about 3mm by 3mm right next to the metal ring that surrounds the cylinder would that be enough to cause the cylinder to pressurize the crap out of the cooling system.
I am just rather short on cash at the moment and just started a new job and need this car back on the road and if I don't have to get the heads repaired it would be the best as I don't really want to spend $700 on that. The cars only done 212000ks.
Heres the photos only one side the other is fine.




Cheers Kris

[El_Freddo]

Hey Kris,

To get the car going in your situation i wouldn't worry about the cracks, they may leak a little pressure into the inlet or exhaust ports but the car will still go.
I'd replace the head gaskets as a given - should be about $60 for a set from memory.
The only issue i can see you having is that the heads may be warped from the over-heating. May be a good idea to hit up a wreckers for another set of heads from an engine that doesn't appear to have over heated (and doesn't have cracks) - should kill two birds with one stone if you can afford the time and money.
I don't quite understand about the hole in the head (gasket?)... You mean the head gasket or the head itself? If the gasket, get new ones, if the head, get a new one, otherwise you will have the problem you've described...

Why MPFI heads? Thought you were running the good ol' carbie '82... The MPFI heads will not allow the carbie's manifold to bolt up - these heads are twin inlet port jobbies and the carbie setup is single... Hope this hasn't put a spanner in the works...

Good luck with it

Cheers

Bennie

[stamp_licker]

Get em pressure tesed.Sometimes you can have cracks but they don't leak.

[suby87]

Hey bennie
I might check the wreckers but its only one side. Yeah they are the MPFI heads as I bought another car 89 L series with MPFI for $500 and sold my carbie engine for $100 to scheltzie's father. I was hoping that the new engine will have a lot more grunt but as of yet still have not really found out.
The last time I was trying to get a carby engine going everywhere I took the heads they just looked at the cracks and said the needed to be welded and wanted a fortune.
What do you reckon they would want for a MPFI head at the wreckers?
cheers Kris

[Gannon]

if it has overheated, you can probably say goodbye to your heads, they crack very easily between the exhaust port and the water jacket behind it if you overheat the engine enough to blow a head gasket.

That being said, i got mine (vortex turbo) heads tested after a blown HG and they were fine, i was lucky

[El_Freddo]

What do you reckon they would want for a MPFI head at the wreckers?

Depends on where you go. Pick a part is a favourite of mine because every model is priced the same, where as up in benders the guys know i'm after subi bits and ask quite a price for them, so much so that its worth driving all over melb and city link looking for the bits i need/want.

Check out the Pick-a-part's what's in stock page. Note the special on engines til friday -$100 - Thats a complete engine incuding dizzy, alternator, starter and i think flywheel... You may be able to get away with a clutch too (you can try, if they want to charge for it take it off)... The trick here is to find a complete MPFI...

So the MPFI's going into your red wagon? You should notice a little more power, but the best thing about them is no problems on cold start up (well, my 2 MPFI's i've had didn't have a problem, but the current carbie one does )

Good luck with it.

Bennie