Another OM603 head thread. Anyone have a good one? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mytmousemalibu · #1 08-04-2010, 04:59 PM

So i noticed here the other day a faint coolant smell on my 87 300D, i didnt see anything nor has it lost hardly any if at all. Not terribly worried till i noticed the rad hose was rather firm. Crap. It was still warn so i checked this morning before starting it, still firm, and poped the cap and released a nice puff of pressure. Im a technician so i know all to well where this is headed, literally. Its a #14 head with 230,000 miles on it. Its been real hot here lately too. I checked it out before i got it and it was ok but i think the added heat stress may have done it in. If it comes apart, a #14 head is not going back on, even if it were a gasket. So, anyone have a good reasonably priced updated 603 head?

Thanks, Chris

Bill Ladd · #2 08-04-2010, 08:23 PM

Ahem --

603 #17 head

Full disclosure -- Two of the cam journals on this are just beyond factory tolerance so the oil pressure rides a tad low (but within factory specification ~1.3 bar) at idle, pegs over 3 above idle. Run it as is or have your local engine machine line bore it. Regardless, this is a killer deal on a killer head

babymog · #3 08-04-2010, 08:39 PM

I'm planning to sell my spare #14. It had 162k on the clock, all cylinders were clean and evenly carboned, no cracks, surface-checked for flatness and has been vacuum/pressure tested. Cam towers perfect, valves included/installed but no cam nor injectors. Feel free to make an offer.

I have to say though, if I were building one to keep, had the money and the choice, I'd spend the money for Lux's #18. It'll cost more to complete the job, but in the end the head should out-last your interest in the car.

mytmousemalibu · #4 08-04-2010, 11:08 PM

Ok, well im keepin my eye on it for now but i was thinkin it may be a good idea to get a new head before i badly need one. Im kinda a performance nut so it would be nice to have a head that i wont have to be frightened about too. I really want to send my pump to Derv one of these days but no way id try to do all of this on a failure prone #14.

My other consideration that would be the bees knees is a 606 swap, but unless i found one dirt cheap and somone didnt know its value.....dont see that happening.

babymog · #5 08-05-2010, 01:12 PM

Yes, this is why I bought a #22, I wanted to be able to put more heat and pressure in there and don't really want to have my first cracked #14 (I've owned 4, no cracks yet / knocking on wood).

My 14 became my spare, I have too many spares without justification, turbo, head, block, IP, ... it becomes more expensive to have the spares than the running cars.

mytmousemalibu · #6 08-06-2010, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Yes, this is why I bought a #22, I wanted to be able to put more heat and pressure in there and don't really want to have my first cracked #14 (I've owned 4, no cracks yet / knocking on wood).

My 14 became my spare, I have too many spares without justification, turbo, head, block, IP, ... it becomes more expensive to have the spares than the running cars.

I know how it goes! A 22 would be nice! Too bad pistons are differant, id slap a 606 head on it.

I bought a spare 617 last winter that may or may not run. Some guy that didnt know what he was doing just too his 300D to a shop and had them put another used 617 in. I bought the pulled one for $50.
I figured if it was toast, the water pump, IP, vac pump and other goodies were worth 50 bucks.

If only 603's and 606's were layin around like that.....

babymog · #7 08-06-2010, 06:35 PM

603s are harder to find, but not impossible. Unfortunately, it is hard to find one that you are able to hear run and to drive, which is almost the minimum "inspection" criteria for me.

mytmousemalibu · #8 08-06-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

603s are harder to find, but not impossible. Unfortunately, it is hard to find one that you are able to hear run and to drive, which is almost the minimum "inspection" criteria for me.

Tell me about it. Its been stressing me out. Most guys that have a 603 head know they have somthing valuable too. Here around Wichita, KS by long and far majority of benz diesels are 617's, 616 and so on. 603, 606, etc are rare around here. Id be very lucky to find anything local. Our friend down the street, the indy benz shop so to speak, he about shat his shorts when i shown him my 87 when i got it! He was shocked to see it because of there rarity down here. So pretty safe bet it will be purchased out of state, which makes me even more leary of the unknown. If it were anything other than a #14 id have it welded and repaired. But not a 14. Not regreting gettin my car one bit, its in pretty dang good shape, just the head situation sucks. This ordeal stands to cost me more than i paied for it though.