I just pulled the head off of my 87 300 SDL and it was cracked as I had expected. I was shocked at how many cracks were evident ,every cylinder between the valves and the #5 cylinder between the exhaust valve and the prechamber. I say I am surprised because the only symptom was high pressure in the cooling system.

I now need a Knew head and have read a lot about the #14 heads (which mine is) and do not want to replace it with a #14 head unless absolutley necessary.

My question is does anyone have any leads on #17 or higher head?

I have been looking at reman's at ADC Cylinder heads but have not called about the head #'s since I just removed the head today.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Try this link lots of info on the 604 cylinder head.
Pics of failed 603.961 #14 head. Help me fig'r a plan.

Sorry to hear.....I replaced my 87 603 engine, (87 300D) with #14 head cracked, with a whole junk yard engine...said to run good over the phone...out of a rear end wreck, 160K.....When it arrived from Toledo, Ohio, via truck freight, and $1600...it had a smashed and cracked valve cover, cracked and open oil pan, no turbo, no injection pump, and there was mud everywhere, mud up two inches into the torch cut exhaust port. They told me they tested every engine they sell.....BS.....

I got lucky....The 603 they sent me was, in the end, a perfect running 603 engine, had a #14 head, that was not cracked, (I later pulled the head to install a new head gasket, voluntarily) and as far as I know,(I sold the car) after 100K, is still running. NOTE not all early 603 engines with #14 head proved bad. It has been said here, and elsewhere, about 20%, were bad..... Sooty Taillight......

When I was looking to buy one of them an indy told me a new head for one of them is like 3K.

There's one in parts FS

Yes, new heads are expensive! Try looking around...Don't know, or remeber, about used, #16, to #22 heads availabilitie, they can be had, but maybe Brian Carlton, the moderator here....he may know where to point you......

Most people, such as myself, are stingy with their updated heads. I have an 18 awaiting install on my SDL as my headgasket has failed at the oil chamber on the front... the head isn't cracked. And I still have a No 14!

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Thanks for the info.
I understand why your stingy with parts you will need Hit Man X.
I will try the link you posted CANDIDE.

I will update what I find and how I handle the cracked head.

Has anyone used ADC Cylinder Heads for a replacement, if so was it good and the work quality?

Thanks again.

My recommendation is look for junkers, you can usually find crazy stuff on them. I parted an '86 SDL I picked up for next to nothing. Had a No 17 head, updated vac pump, rebuilt injectors, etc.

PO flew over a rail road track and smashed the oil pan. Suspension was clapped out, paint gone, interior was brown... car wasn't worth saving. I made out great on it.

Deals are there if you're patient.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

PLEASE DON"T...............cylinder head repair, if this is what you are talking about, and also what I have heard from over the years.....is not possible for the 603 head....intake and exhaust valves, where cracks are common, are not successfully possible for the 603 head, and don't believe anyone tell you different..........ln the best of the 603's head design configurement, particularly the #14 head, little could be accomplished for proper heat expansion and material movement between the weak area between exhaust and intake areas of the aluminum #14-603 head....

A pal of mine had his head repaired... no issues and drives the car like a mad man. He's down with some physical issues currently, but the vehicle hasn't skipped a beat since the head was rewelded.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I was considering a reman head of theirs not my own. They claim to not use crackrd heads for their reman's and the price seemed OK at about $1200.

Well I paid about 1/3 of that for my parts car. Granted my head needs to be fully rebuilt yet... at least it's an updated casting.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I will start looking around but if I park another car around here I'll need a good lawyer.

LOL, I understand

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]