I went to put in a set of Victor Reinz head bolts into the head of my 87 190D 2.5 and found half of them didn't fit.

The heads were too big (.830") compared to what they were replacing (.813") to fit in the counterbore in at least 12 of 22 locations, 5 were OK, and I couldn't inspect 5 more locations.

Has anyone else had this issue, or could suggest an alternate vendor? All I can find is Reinz.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

I haven't seen that exact issue before, but this thread came to mind, regarding poorly made VictorReinz head bolts.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/2053425-head-bolts-********az.html

Seems like getting the bolts from the dealer is the way to go.

__________________
1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Erm, so the forum censored the vendor name in the URL (thread title). Here is a tiny url to the same link:

http://tinyurl.com/nbyp5xp

__________________
1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Another option if you have the size (diameter, thread pitch, length, head type) is to go online to ARP. Their stuff is STRONG (better than aircraft grade) and well made here in the US of A.

I replaced the torque-to-yield bolts in our Windstar and stopped the head gasket failures, for which they were famous (3.8 V6 gasser). Just tighten them to the required torque as suggested for the diameter of the bolt and retorque after the engine has warmed and cooled (they settle a bit with a heat cycle or two).

While I haven't done a price comparison I'll wager ARP is cheaper than the dealer. ARP may even list a kit for your engine but if they don't you can order them by size.

Dan

Interesting....and used to be SOP for head gaskets....

Will you describe exactly what you do ?

Do you loosen all the bolts at the same time...then take it back up to the reading you want ?

Or do you just take them up to the reading you want from where they are after the cooling ? Do you maintain the specific order the FSM calls for ?
Do you take it back up in stages ?

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Not my first choice. Would have to pull the cam to reach some of the bolts.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

They didn't fit a friends 603. We just bought them from the dealer and the fit was perfect.

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

For the new head bolts for my M102 that I bought from the dealer they said I had to buy an extra thick washer because they now make the bolts too long.

(Typical - I thought - they make the bolts too long and then make you buy an extra bit to correct their intentional mistake)

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!