Hello to all. Not sure where to post this question.

I'm thinking of replacing the head gaskets on this auto.
I'm curious as to recommendations on head bolts, gaskets etc, and if the after market parts are decent or garbage.

Anyone who has been through this, can you give me your thoughts? Perhaps a few places to obtain parts?

Cheers, Steve

 

Plenty of opinions in the archives. Make sure you know how to time the cams and have the right tools for that.

I do not know anyone who has broken a bolt going back, whether aftermarket or original. The LR bolts are cheaper, and they are Socket head rather than hex, I believe.

Most of the problems have been on SC cars so the comments about head gaskets mostly apply to them, I don't think it matters as much for NA cars.

Good Luck.

 

The land rover head bolts take a stout T60 Torx socket to tighten down properly. If you have a ton of miles on it, do yourself a huge favor and get a complete valve job including valve adjustment done at a reputable machine shop. It'll run much smoother and feel like a new car again. I'd recommend the MLS head gasket as a personal preference over the composite ones. Lots of time and patience to do it right the first time and don't skimp on anything.

 

Steve,

Posted in precisely the right place.

You will also find additional relevant information in XK8/XKR forum as they share the same engine.

Tensioners and chains is a regular job on the V8 but head gasket change is a comparative rarity. Why would you be 'thinking' about it?

Graham

 

+1 Graham.
Most head gasket replacements are due to overheating. If you are determined to do it, use the mls gaskets from the 4.2 engine.

 

Thank you to all that responded here!

Graham, the car actually drives just perfectly. I have 145K miles on it now.

Being a repair tech for 40 years in the home audio electronics industry, I tend to do "preventive" maintenance on everything I own. I've noticed a slight brownish oil in the expansion tank. Had my mechanic look at it. His thought was the higher oil pressure, compared to the water pressure, was causing a small amount to get forced into the cooling system. Most likely through a very small head gasket leak. There are absolutely no other symptoms. No over heating. No coolant loss. Clean oil when I change it. Smooth idling and great running on the open road.

Maybe, as my wife says, I'm just being paranoid?

I plan to keep this car until I leave planet earth, so I thought getting this done would be a good thing? Your thoughts?