Hello all, I have a 1987 300 sdl with the turbo 603 engine. I was getting a lot of pressure in my radiator so I decided to take the cylinder head off. This is the famous #14 head that cracks all the time. After checking the head there were no cracks but the head was warped and had water damage around the exhaust valve seats and piston head area. The machine shop person told me he could fix the seats by putting new ones in but the warpage was something else. He says he could shave it down and I could put in a thicker gasket. My question concerns this aspect of the fixing process. How much can a aluminum head from a turbo diesel be shaved down and are there thicker gaskets that can be used after the cutting? Can I use a regular gasket after shaving off let's say 10 or 20 thousands off the head? thanks guys, I hope these aren't dumb questions but I can't be the first person who has had this type of cylinder head problem and wondered if they could do this to their head. If the heads can't be shaved down I guess I'll be looking for a used 603 head.

I know if you resurface a head from a 616/617 you need to use thicker prechamber washers to raise the intrusion of the prechamber into the combustion chamber. It could be the same for the 603 heads but I won't swear to it.
Maybe someone else can chime in.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

it can be shaved, but their is limit before you start affecting timing, valve clearance and the prechamber height, as suggested. These things can be corrected with a thicker gasket, valve seat modifications and other shims.

If your shop doesn't know these tolerances, you probably don't want them working on this head. Chances are, they won't get the prechambers to seal up well.

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I do not know but doubt much material can be removed. Machine shops that plane heads usually have a guide book. There are shops that can sometimes pre straighten a head before planing. This reduces the amount of material removed when practical.

With facing 603 cylinder heads the issue is not neccessarily the prechamber issue; there is a clear and exact remedy for dealing with the effects of reducing overall cylinder head height and the resultant excessive protrusion of the prechamber tip into the combustion chamber. The problem very quickly becomes the valve's position which can not be modified within the dimensions of the head.

The minimum height after machining is 142.4 mm (the cylinder head starts with 142.9-143.1 mm) and the maximum removal is only 0.5 mm the maximum deviation longitudinal (lengthwise) is maximum of 0.08 mm.

You would need to know the numbers that define the dimensions of warpage before spending money on a cylinder head damaged beyond correction.

x2
I would begin the search for a good used spare head - #14 or otherwise...

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327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

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take a walk down memory lane...

thanks guys for the information. Does anyone know where I can get these special thicker gaskets and washers for this job? thanks again

I would recommend putting your money into getting a later head rather than trying to patch a #14.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Since I have never heard of a thicker gasket for these engines. They might not be available. Not absolutly sure though. Ask any mercedes dealer perhaps if someone else does not comment.

I've heard it mentioned, and believe that it is mentioned in the Cylinder Head Reconditioning area in the FSM.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I'm a bit fuzzy on this, but I remember a thread where the thick gasket cost was over 200 bucks.
I agree that getting a non #14 head is the best option.

Thicker gaskets are listed in the EPC!

I'd add my 2c in as well, check you local yards for a updated head.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

... and if you find one, buy a lottery ticket also as it's truly your lucky day.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

As Barry1234 referenced in reply #4...
There are SOME Machine Shop Artisans ,who can Straighten a warped head...
negating the need for shaving/machining the mating surface.
They heat it and then Straighten it.

("Willie Pete" Alert ,I know this sets of a whole furor over reheating an already
temperature Warped Head and the possible resultant weakening of the alloy)

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'84 300SD sold
124.128