Cracked Cyclinder Head.. Now What?

[illusiVe]

Hi Guys,

Just found out ive got a cracked cyclinder head, and im trying to figure out what to do.

Im not too bad with doing basic mods.. but i have no idea when it comes to complexities of the engine/internals itself.

Do I:

Repair/fix existing crack?

Engine swap for another RB25

While its out go forged or RB30DET?

meh its out.. get a cheap Nissan v8 engine.

or other..

as i said.. i have NO real idea what to do at this point, i havent been quoted YET for fixing/repairing the existing head.

My goals for the car at the moment are very open.. i WAS aiming for epic responsive RB with 250-260rwkw.. however if im going to buy a new engine, why not do work on the engine for 3-4 months and aim for a higher power output since the engine is out/alot easier to mod.

atm i aim to finish the engine with 10k to spend TOTAL.. dont add in costs of selling existing block/turbo.

part of the 10k will go towards Exhaust+clutch+fuel pump+ecu+ebc.. so take that outta the total.. wanting reliability if its not too much to ask for also..

Car already has an Apexi turbo to make the 250/260kw..just hasnt been boosted yet

Thx for any/all HELPFUL input.

Edited February 10, 2010 by illusiVe

[R31Nismoid]

Just buy another head and be done with it?

Then do all your other mods, you won't see much change from 10k... so forget building the motor.

[GTScotT]

10k doesnt go far, especially when ur handy rather than totally competent. Not having a stab just being honest.

put another head on it and get back to doing good valuable bolt ons with ur 10k

[STATUS]

Depending on where its cracked it could be a simple weld job. Take it to a reputable cylinder head reconditioner.

[illusiVe]

oh sweet.. my mates were telling me its just easier/cheaper to buy a new RB... maybe they were thinking something else =\

=)

ill get the mech to take a look n find out.. try get some pics up.

[neo32]

how u know for shure its cracked without taking it off i thought heads were quite strong and that head gaskets were ment to be like a fuse

did u run it with no coolent?

[bozodos]

weld the head n shave it to get a bit more compression?

gee if you're getting a new head, may as well go the whole hog n get an RB30 bottom end....?

[Tangles]

I had my head ported out while been decked with tomei cams, guides, seals, seats.

valve guide in #6 overexpanded, cracked the head, ruined.

the machinist shop and my tuner/workshop re-did another head for me no charge

[illusiVe]

car had coolant.. but you see if you remove sparkplug #6 and look in there and crank the engine, you will see coolant going in there.

so yeh.. coolant leak is for sure.

Just gave my mecchy the go ahead to take the head off and tell me whats broken.. and ill update thread from there.

[Granthem]

Could be a head gasket.

250rwkw gets boring pretty quick by the way

[illusiVe]

im sure it can.. but its a goal.. i can always upgrade.

but response over top end power isnt a bad goal for where i like to drive =)

[darkrams69]

im side tracking, but any amount of power gets boring after getting used to it.... drive a cappucino for a week then jump back into the 'line... you'll fall in love again lol

[dori34]

keen on the head if you are willing to sell and cbf fixing it (if its fixable that is)

[illusiVe]

ill keep that in mind =) thx

[Marcus89]

Could be a head gasket.

250rwkw gets boring pretty quick by the way

not as quick as 150rwkw like i'd likely be repping (maybe more) good ol stock motor atm