I spoke with Mark deGroff who has a machine shop specializing in Mercedes last night and the told me that he has been using a Spanish made aftermarket head on 603 engines and has had no complaints. Does anyone here have one of these heads, and if so, what is your experience.

My inquiry is due to the typical reason. The Spanish head is a significant savings from what the OEM head is. I have to make a decision in the next couple of days but I am already leaning towards the aftermarket head.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

How much? I paid $1200 for a used #22 head complete (including injectors in a questionable state, and a perfect cam and gear). Machine shop fees were $360 for shave, valve grind, resetting of springs and new seals.

I think a bare #22 is $1800...so probably $2200-$2500 complete (no injectors )

Problem with used stuff is finding a useable one that isn't a #14. First one I purchased from Potomac German was #17 and machine shop said is was worthless...sent back.

Bottom line, if new Spanish head comes in better than those prices I say go for it.

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

Oh, I'll throw in a plug for Doug at Rockville Ring and Bearing in the DC metro area. He did a great job, his kids all drive 123 diesels and he does the racing grinds for RC Imports' 190's. Also has his shop right next door to an Indy MB Mechanic (forget the name).

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

He gave me a budget number of $800. I wish I could talk to someone who actually has one in service for a couple of years. I don't know what the warranty on the aftermarket head is, but I think unless I use the dealership I think there is no warranty on the Mercedes part either.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

The big problem is the installation. A dealer may give some level of guarantee if they install it themselves, but otherwise there's lots of things to go wrong e.g. head bolt torquing, eliminating airlock in coolant channels, etc.. At least that's what a mechanic will scare you into thinking. I can attest to the airlock though..need to dump lots of coolant straight into the head and possibly more than 1x after running the water pump to fill the circuit up.

If total budget on the head with valves, springs and prechambers is $800 it seems to me the risk is low if you consider your work time is inexpensive. A used head is probably going to have to budget $1000-$1600 anyway so you can theorhetically do the after market head 2x.

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

Your input is making my decision easier. I have dealt with too many dealers before and know their main motive: profit. The $800 is for the head only (with guides I think) then they will remachine my prechambers to work in the head and do a valve job and put the valves, seals and prechambers in for another $300 or so.

I am also going to replace the vacuum pump and front cover while I am at it, and pull the pan and reseal it. I am sure that I would be into over $4,000 at the dealer and if I do it myself with the aftermarket head I am looking at around $2,000. And then there is the question of how many MB technicians know about a 19 year old engine. Then there is the factor that I care about the work that I do and maybe the MB technician will not. Especially for someone like me who will never be a frequent customer. I think I am willing to take the risk. I will check on the warranty on the aftermarket head tonight and post it on this thread.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

Since I believe mercedes has quite a following in spain do you know anyone that reads and speaks spanish? The web should allow contact to be made and your questions answered. This is the first I have heard of an aftermarket casting and it would be really nice if it was superior and cheaper. I lead a sheltered life apparently.

I cousins that speak fluent Spanish. Maybe I will go on Google Spain if there is one and see what I can figure out. That is really good idea. Thanks.

By the way, I must be sheltered also because this is the first I heard about it also. There is also a post that mentions it here in the forum.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

My #14 head is still good (knock on wood), but for future reference, where does one find a Spanish head at?

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87 300D - Running on Veggie oil; 260,000 plus miles; Original #14 head

Same Goes For Me, Just In Case.

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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

He quoted me for the head. His phone is 818.701.5274. He also will machine the prechambers so they go in this later head which is set up for angular injection. I am going to call him today so I can get the ball rolling.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

ask if he offers a group discount and how many of us would need to buy to qualify???

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

Without specifications it is difficult to assess what is an aftermarket 603 head. Is it built to the specs of the #14 or #22 head? If this head as liable to creak as the #14 head, then why bother to get it? I would like more info before buying one. I definitely do not want to be the guinea pig

Rich, with a litle luck they have improved the head design somewhat before releasing it on the market. I agree you need information as well. It would not suprise me at all if it is cast in a superior alloy. There is some evidence of companies in spain producing basically superior copies of older things like the ford flathead v8 motors to not investigate mind the financial savings. Come to think of it perhaps the person that sells these heads can also direct you to a source of information. If you would post anything you find out I am sure it will be appreciated by quite a few of us.

I believe if you call Performance Parts and ask them where their 01-254 $1860 head is from its from Spain. I don't believe anyone is selling new #14 heads, the upgrades have been worked into the aftermarket heads.
FWIW, I am running on #14 heads in my 603's. They were rebuilt by DeGroff's also.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!