PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - Headgasket/Timing Chain/Front Gasket Triple feature!

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatchgeoff (Post 2387620)

Metric would have been just as good and easier (a lot more money for the head work) but I think the only stuff I had left over was a banana rail. I probably could have saved a little by greasing and re-using the tensioner pivot arm, but thats only about $60 total. Keep in mind I completely rebuilt the fuel system from delivery valves to injectors and the other direction to the hard lines. I haven't even done the math on those expenses.

Parts - $600
Head work - $600
Injector work - $400
Parts after the fact including fuel system - $600

Did you have the block machined? I imagine with the new sleeves and pistons you'd need the bores machined a bit, can't be cheap.

To be honest, after seeing the factory crosshatching in the cyl walls combined w/good compression cyl/block work was unnecessary. That'll be next head gasket.

I find myself agreeing with saquatchgeoff more and more. I realize my car is quite old, very old in fact, and I realize my money may be better spent looking for a new car or possibly swappable engine. However I am extremely attached to my car, we are truly family:). I really don't mind the labor. I enjoy the work and I especially enjoy knowing I kept such a beautiful car on the road. The bodies near mint, the suspensions completely rebuilt, the interiors great, and I've replaced/rebuilt half the car already, why not continue:rolleyes: I will however begin the hunt for a 17 or 22 head. I checked my parts car, sadly it's a 14 as well. I'll be pulling that head first and getting it checked out as a possible backup in case I can't find a better head or use my current head.

Maybe I am one, who's, ultimately, to say? I just replaced the head gasket on a 603, 14 head, with at least 375k mi on the clock. I only did the gasket, head bolts, water pump, glow plugs, and thermostat.

There is definitely a lip in the cylinder bores, and the cross-hatching is long gone.

As long as you don't adhere TOO strictly to the procedure outlined by MB (don't take the turbo off, don't pull the radiator) you can have the head off the car in a day, EASY! Having done it, now, I think I could have it off and back on again in a long day.

If the head is cracked, you'll be able to see it. Mine wasn't. Am I looking for a spare? Yeah. Not scouring junkyards or anything, but I'm keeping my eyes open.

I have a spare 617 in my shop, another torn down to the crank ready to go to the machine shop, plus two more-or-less complete rebuildable core engines. Eventually, maybe I'll have similar inventories of 603's. Maybe not.

My point? I think I have one. Just fix the oil leak and drive it til it dies, man. Have another engine - one with fewer miles - ready to go in when this one quits.

Cheers!

Jay.