Om603 #10 head - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JonW124 · #1 02-01-2019, 11:07 PM

On my search to find a new head for my om603 I came across a good condition #10 head (and around 8 other #14 heads and almost all were already cracked).

So this head was from a euro car and looks good with no cracks. Is the only difference between heads the cam? Other than the cam I couldn't see any differences between the 2.

Thoughts?

IMG_2738 by jon allie, on Flickr

dieselbenz1 · #2 02-01-2019, 11:13 PM

Could be a non turbo head

JonW124 · #3 02-01-2019, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselbenz1

Could be a non turbo head

I believe it is but can they be used on a turbo engine with a cam swap?

Or is the #10 head even weaker than the #14 head?

dude99 · #4 02-01-2019, 11:31 PM

Not sure on the om603, but on the om617 the valves were different too

JonW124 · #5 02-01-2019, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

Not sure on the om603, but on the om617 the valves were different too

There was a #14 head right next to the #10 head and the valves looked identical. Possibly the springs were different but that would be an easy swap.
The bottom end was there also and the pistons looked the same as the turbo engine also.

dieselbenz1 · #6 02-02-2019, 07:29 AM

Prechambers are different why not listen to the warnings in the FSM about interchanging heads from a turbo to a NA.

tjts1 · #7 02-02-2019, 10:47 AM

You can use it if it's in good condition. There were plenty of aftermarket turbo kits for the NA om603.

Uncle Benzz · #8 02-02-2019, 11:01 AM

Looks like it was painted

. Get it magnafluxed, check for warpage, if you want to use it.

sixto · #9 02-02-2019, 11:37 AM

How much are you saving?

Valves at the same size but are they the same material? Compare part numbers in EPC if you have access to Euro models.

Any good Euro only parts on the car the #10 came on?

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

JonW124 · #10 02-02-2019, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselbenz1

Prechambers are different why not listen to the warnings in the FSM about interchanging heads from a turbo to a NA.

I could find much information about the #10 head other than people saying they didn't know much about it or had never seen it. Thanks for your input. I'll keep searching for another head that came from a turbo car.

JonW124 · #11 02-02-2019, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

How much are you saving?

Valves at the same size but are they the same material? Compare part numbers in EPC if you have access to Euro models.

Any good Euro only parts on the car the #10 came on?

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

I'm not trying to save any money. I went to the junk yards in San Diego and found 5 complete om603's and 8 heads. Only 2 of the heads weren't cracked, a #10 head and a rebuilt #14 head. The guy wanted $1500 for the rebuilt #14 head but I'd like to find a later head if I'm gonna spend that kind of money.

The Euro car did have some good stuff left on it. I'm picking up the steel wheels with hub caps on Sunday and trying to get the manual window regulators and manual havc out of it. Interior is Blue cloth but not in great shape.

ah-kay · #12 02-02-2019, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonW124

I'm not trying to save any money. I went to the junk yards in San Diego and found 5 complete om603's and 8 heads. Only 2 of the heads weren't cracked, a #10 head and a rebuilt #14 head. The guy wanted $1500 for the rebuilt #14 head but I'd like to find a later head if I'm gonna spend that kind of money.

The Euro car did have some good stuff left on it. I'm picking up the steel wheels with hub caps on Sunday and trying to get the manual window regulators and manual havc out of it. Interior is Blue cloth but not in great shape.

Just curious. Which junk yard you went to in San Diego? I normally go to LKQ wrecking and they hardly have om603 in these days.

JonW124 · #13 02-02-2019, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

Just curious. Which junk yard you went to in San Diego? I normally go to LKQ wrecking and they hardly have om603 in these days.

There are a lot of smaller dismantlers around there. I went to LKQ's yards down there and they had nothing so I went to all the smaller places and started finding Om603's. Unfortunately most places down there store the engines poorly and keep blow engines so buying engines from them is a real gamble.

83w126 · #14 02-02-2019, 12:54 PM

I found a #18 head just by looking at every one that showed up in the junkyard within driving distance for a few months. Years ago I saw a #22 also, but I didn't own an om603 or have the tools to remove it.

Hit Man X · #15 02-02-2019, 02:40 PM

Turbo 603 are Na filled exhaust. Both I and E are chrome plated. I would not use that on my vehicle.

I have owned a No 15 and an 18, sold both to fund other projects. Current 17 at machine shop, guides are shot and tore up the valve stems as they are iron.

IMO, hold out for a 17+. They are out there and value seems to have dropped off big time in the last decade or so.