If you are pulling the front cover to do the gasket, drop a new main seal in as well. It is under $8. I got my timing set from ATB. If you are doing new lifters and having your valves done, I would throw in a new cam from a 4.6. It will give you more lift on your valves. While you have everything out, it may be a good idea to roll in new bearings on the bottom end. I would check the rocker shafts too. Most lifter tick is from lack of oil flow from the shafts being gooped up.

 

Should I take the exhaust manifolds all the way off or just off the head and push them to the side?

Thank you,
Willie

 

I pushed mine to the side.

You'll need 12 point sockets to remove the bolts. I forget the size. Extensions and swivels would also be nice.

 

Finally finished the head gasket job. It went pretty good. Here are some pictures. The shop wanted $2400 to do it with a head rebuild. I am into it for $1300. that includes new water pump, timing set, new motor mounts, all gaskets and seals for entire engine, machine the heads.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roverd2...th/4415048212/

Willie

 

Pretty awesome Willie.
There was a hell of alot of sludge in there.
What oil have you been using out of curiosity.

That pic of it in the snow is pretty freakin' sweet!

 

It's good to be driving the Land Rover again. I have been driving a TDI Jetta for the last 3 weeks, Boring, the 50 mpg was nice though. I have been using castrol gtx high milaege since I bought it at 75,000 miles. I change it and the filter every 3000 miles. Do you think synthetic would not sludge up? I think I will change all the O2 sensors next, theres 80,000 on the front and the rears could be 180,000. The idle is a little rough now sometimes. I retorqued the intake and exhaust manifolds. I am getting a p0174 code, system lean in bank 2.

Willie

Willie

 

Assuming that you are using premium gas I think that the Castrol in a 10w-40 would be a decent choice.
That sludge could have already been there when you bought it and it just never got any worse.
I would peek into the oil fill every oil change and see if sludge starts to build up again, if it does then I would switch oils.