603 cylinder heads - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Johnhef · #1 01-05-2008, 12:22 AM

SOOOOOOOO whats the latest on these?

Was an aftermarket (I remember something about spain?) head ever located?

Mine got away from me an cooked about 2 months ago, I still have the original #14 head. It runs like crap on startup with lots of whitish smoke but smooths out after warming up. Still strong and quick as usual so no decrease in anything else performance wise. Cooling system hoses pressurize to very stiff in 10 minutes or less of idling. "Block Test" kit proved to be inconclusive, not really showing presence of exhaust gases in coolant resevoir.

I plan on pulling the head and sending it to a trusted machine shop and see what they think. I did price a new one, the #14 is now a #91 or 96 I believe it was. there were at least 10 supercessions in the part number. my cost was somewhere in the $1400 range. I can get a used complete head for $800, or try my luck in the yards and hopefully happen upon one.

So yeah, if there are any leads out there on stuff, lets hear what ya got.

Bio300TDTdriver · #2 01-05-2008, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

SOOOOOOOO whats the latest on these?

Was an aftermarket (I remember something about spain?) head ever located?

Mine got away from me an cooked about 2 months ago, I still have the original #14 head. It runs like crap on startup with lots of whitish smoke but smooths out after warming up. Still strong and quick as usual so no decrease in anything else performance wise. Cooling system hoses pressurize to very stiff in 10 minutes or less of idling. "Block Test" kit proved to be inconclusive, not really showing presence of exhaust gases in coolant resevoir.

I plan on pulling the head and sending it to a trusted machine shop and see what they think. I did price a new one, the #14 is now a #91 or 96 I believe it was. there were at least 10 supercessions in the part number. my cost was somewhere in the $1400 range. I can get a used complete head for $800, or try my luck in the yards and hopefully happen upon one.

So yeah, if there are any leads out there on stuff, lets hear what ya got.

AFAIK 22-01 is the latest one. $1400 for that head new is a good price.

Hit Man X · #3 01-05-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

SOOOOOOOO whats the latest on these?

Was an aftermarket (I remember something about spain?) head ever located?

Mine got away from me an cooked about 2 months ago, I still have the original #14 head. It runs like crap on startup with lots of whitish smoke but smooths out after warming up. Still strong and quick as usual so no decrease in anything else performance wise. Cooling system hoses pressurize to very stiff in 10 minutes or less of idling. "Block Test" kit proved to be inconclusive, not really showing presence of exhaust gases in coolant resevoir.

I plan on pulling the head and sending it to a trusted machine shop and see what they think. I did price a new one, the #14 is now a #91 or 96 I believe it was. there were at least 10 supercessions in the part number. my cost was somewhere in the $1400 range. I can get a used complete head for $800, or try my luck in the yards and hopefully happen upon one.

So yeah, if there are any leads out there on stuff, lets hear what ya got.

A buddy of mine repaired his 14 and the car runs like a champ.

I got all into the head paranoia and have a 17 and 18 stashed away at home. Doubt I'll ever need them. Hell, I bought a wrecked SDL for the head.

$1400 is good for a new, updated, bare head. My cost is in the upper $1700s. I would not be scared to run a good No 14, most of the cars out there still run them.

If you havne't yet, get yourself that red fan switch, 606 clutch with fan, and a new radiator.

babymog · #4 01-05-2008, 01:54 PM

Either the #17 or #18 is a non-US head for an NA engine, can't remember which one.

sixto · #5 01-05-2008, 03:53 PM

#18 maybe. #17 is the original equipment head on US 603.97s.

Sixto
87 300D

Hit Man X · #6 01-05-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Either the #17 or #18 is a non-US head for an NA engine, can't remember which one.

Last I checked 350SD/L came with a No 17

Check your sources on that one.

I think Brian has a car with a No 15 head too.

Jeremy5848 · #7 01-05-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

...If you havne't yet, get yourself that red fan switch, 606 clutch with fan...

What is better about these?

Hit Man X · #8 01-05-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

What is better about these?

Earlier aux fan kick on and A/C comp off... 100/110

Fan is plastic with more blades. Cools better, less rotational mass, more power, and keeps the water pump alive longer.

Bio300TDTdriver · #9 01-05-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

Earlier aux fan kick on and A/C comp off... 100/110

Fan is plastic with more blades. Cools better, less rotational mass, more power, and keeps the water pump alive longer.

And it is less expensive than using the 603 fan.

Johnhef · #10 01-06-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

A buddy of mine repaired his 14 and the car runs like a champ.

If you havne't yet, get yourself that red fan switch, 606 clutch with fan, and a new radiator.

That was a thought too, I'd let the machine shop that I would be taking it to decide what to do with it, the guy there knows MB's very well, almost all of the dealers in the area use him.

no red fan switch or 606 fan yet (if you order a new 603 clutch from ******** it comes with a plastic fan)

but i did buy a new behr radiator about a year ago when my side tank began to leak.

astrofil · #11 04-23-2008, 09:37 PM

Can you get me one head casting #17 at reasonable price for my 1987 300 D.
917-561-1068
Peter

quote=Johnhef;1723186]SOOOOOOOO whats the latest on these?

Was an aftermarket (I remember something about spain?) head ever located?

Mine got away from me an cooked about 2 months ago, I still have the original #14 head. It runs like crap on startup with lots of whitish smoke but smooths out after warming up. Still strong and quick as usual so no decrease in anything else performance wise. Cooling system hoses pressurize to very stiff in 10 minutes or less of idling. "Block Test" kit proved to be inconclusive, not really showing presence of exhaust gases in coolant resevoir.

I plan on pulling the head and sending it to a trusted machine shop and see what they think. I did price a new one, the #14 is now a #91 or 96 I believe it was. there were at least 10 supercessions in the part number. my cost was somewhere in the $1400 range. I can get a used complete head for $800, or try my luck in the yards and hopefully happen upon one.

So yeah, if there are any leads out there on stuff, lets hear what ya got.[/quote]

babymog · #12 04-23-2008, 09:52 PM

Peter:

The #17 casting (I believe) is not a direct replacement. Others will correct me if I'm wrong, but from my recollection it is the angled-prechamber design which will require new prechambers, and new injectors, the ones from your original head will not work.

If you can find a used head with all of this you will save a fair amount of money over buying it all separate.

What happened to the original head?

gsxr · #13 04-23-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Either the #17 or #18 is a non-US head for an NA engine, can't remember which one.

There are 6 casting numbers for the 603 turbo heads, but some are more common than others. Valid numbers are 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, and 22. The 15 and 18 are the most rare. 14 and 17 are the most common. Only #22 has an enclosed front oil passage which will reduce or eliminate the head gasket failure in that area. All 1990-95 models came with the #17 from the factory.

If you can score a new #22 for $1400, get it while you can... the weak USD is going to result in our prices increasing. There were two #17's on eBay recently but the auction got pulled, I'm guessing both sold "off eBay". Think they were in the $700 range...?