I plan to change the left head gasket. Is it worthwhile to change the right side too.
Is it routine to mill a new surface on the heads? Thanks - Ed

 

I did this about a year ago, but my problem was a sticking valve. You're going to kick yourself later if you don't do both head gaskets. I did not get my heads milled, but had a competent shop do a valve job, shim the springs where they needed it, go over them with a fine tooth comb and cleaned them spotless. Get a top-end gasket set and go for it. Make sure everything goes back where it came from, pushrods, lifters and I soaked my lifters in Marvel Mystery Oil for a few days while the heads were at the shop - they're silent.

 

Ed,
How many miles on your truck? Are you planning to do the job or have a mechanic do it?
Yes, you do both heads at the same time. Depending on how many miles on your truck and how hot the engine may have gotten, you may or may not need to look at the heads. have the heads inspected using a straight edge to check for warpage, 004 of an inch is when you look at a resurface.
Mike

 

Mike,
My 2000 Disco II has got 97000 miles. Got the plenum off last night. Was trying to pass a fiberoptic to the intake to do some snooping and got a fair amount of oil in the cylinders that were miss firing per code. That didn't work out. Bad idea anyway cause chances are the valves would be closed. Besides, nothing I won't know when I get the heads off, LOL. This morning, got the alternator/Air con/ACE and its bracket off. To this point it took approximately 4 hours. About ready to get the lower intake manifold. Once I get the heads off, I plan to have them sent out to get a valve job.
Thanks for your input.
Ed.

 

Check out my very complete head gasket kits -- one kit has a eBay item number of:



120126340095




We include the stretch bolts that must be replaced when changing the gaskets. I have many other parts available, so if you are going to have a valve job done-- I also have that covered.

Regards,
Geoman
www.eurotekapg.com

 

Ed, at your mileage the chances are you don't need a valve job, just have them checked for warpage and if need be have them resurfaced.
Your truck shouldn't need a valve job till close to 200,000 if you take care of it.
Mike

 

Thanks Mike. My LR gets oil change every 3 to 4K miles. Gotta go get a 1/2 breaker bar. The head bolt LR closest to the bulkhead is a tough one. Broke a 3/8 universal trying to undo it. LOL. It's a labor of love. Should have the heads off by tonight or tomorrow.
Ed

 

Can't loosen the bolt on the left side closest to the firewall. I've split two 16mm sockets, and the edges of the bolt head is starting to deform. The heat and cold cycles probably contributed to this diffculty. Can't apply heat on it cause of an electrical connector behind it (CKP sensor plug)? Any ideas out there? Anybody had the same problem? Impact wrench maybe? Any other options? I wanna hang on to this Disco II. Any remanufactured engines out there? They're gonna have to pry this truck off my dead fingers, LOL.
Ed

 

nvm