Cracked Head...

[ifcho 0]

Hi,

 

I was just about to put the head on my engine, when I noticed a few cracks on it

And now I'm wondering, should I send it to a welder, so they fix the cracks, or give it a chance?

I am planing to run this engine to about 7300-7500RPM, with 11.5CR..

Here are a few pics:

 

 

[mrswampy 0]

Hi,

 

I was just about to put the head on my engine, when I noticed a few cracks on it

And now I'm wondering, should I send it to a welder, so they fix the cracks, or give it a chance?

I am planing to run this engine to about 7300-7500RPM, with 11.5CR..

Here are a few pics:

 

 

if it was me id at least take it to the local engine rebuilder and let them look at it.

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

i agree, no harm in them just having a look, doubt it will cost you anything?

[mrswampy 0]

i agree, no harm in them just having a look, doubt it will cost you anything?

That is true

most places will diagnose for free And give a repair estimate free of charge

but then again the place i use build my bosses race engines so i may be lucky

[ifcho 0]

For sure I'll take the head to some engine shop, so they can look at it...I'm must looking for more opinions

[ifcho 0]

forgot to add it's a head for a 1.6 xu5 engine

[Cameron 16]

What's special about this head? If its standard surely it'd be better to get another one for the £FA it'll cost.

[mrswampy 0]

Tbh

to have the head crack tested,welded,skimmed and presure testd probs wouldnt cost and more than £50 which id say is less than a replacement head would cost.

[luggy 13]

Correct me if Im wrong but I thought only cast heads cracked, not alloy ones.

[Cameron 16]

Hmm, Im not so sure.. If you can get all that work done for £50 it's either very poor standard or you'll have to share your garage's details!

You could easily get a bare head for <£50 or even free! Then you wouldn't need to worry about any of that.

 

Edit - just seen your location, so maybe they aren't as widely available as they are here. Still, probably worth a look!

Edited July 6, 2008 by Cameron

[gti-si 0]

I've got an XU5 head you can have free of charge if you sort the courier out

[lagonda 42]

I had all sorts of trouble with my car, intermittently, all suggesting blown head gasket .... but every time I did a compression test, the readings were perfect! In the end, hoses blew & THEN the h/g failed in a spectacular manner.

When I took the head off, it was cracked in 2 places, from the spark plug holes to the exhaust valve seats. Then it all made sense, the cracks were only opening under certain conditions (temp, load, etc).

So! You are likely to have the same trouble. Welding might fix it but I don't see how that thickness could be satisfactorily welded .... make sure you take it to someone well experienced in welding of this nature, otherwise another head would be your best option.