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[Diamond Black Geezer]

Ah, I seee.... well having never removed the head of an engine before, not sure the best place to start is on an X25XE... 

[Webby the Bear]

It's not too bad at all. However, first time I kinda had to watch Martin do most of it cos i was confused lol

i'd comfrtably be able to do it again myself with the only help needed in the placing of the heads.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Cheers, Webby. I never really considered that the heads would have to come off to do the manifold(s), but perhaps that's a job on the back burner, maybe come across some off a 3.2 going silly cheap one day, then leave them in the garage until I don't need the car for a weekend and there's a skilled oofer in the area, that sort of thing. 

[Webby the Bear]

Because we couldnt get the downpipe to manifold nuts undone on the drivers side i remember we had to undo fannymould from head and remove head, and refit that one in situ.

That wasnt a problem and even i managed to do the nuts for that one.....no chance of a torque wrench, just did them up with the only thing that fit: 13mm on a 1/4" ratchet and some with the gear wrench.

Cant say the passenger side would go as swimmingly though!!!

[Nick W]

Removing the heads to change the manifolds is making things really hard work!
It's not going to be easy to change the passenger side, but adding several hours work and over £100 in parts to make it 'easier' is insane.

I fitted mine because I had the heads off; I didn't lift the heads to fit the manifolds.

[Webby the Bear]

Removing the heads to change the manifolds is making things really hard work!
It's not going to be easy to change the passenger side, but adding several hours work and over £100 in parts to make it 'easier' is insane.

I fitted mine because I had the heads off; I didn't lift the heads to fit the manifolds.

Same as me (new heads were needed following pistons and valves greeting each other).

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Maybe I'll see about collecting the parts together over time, so manifolds, 3.0 heads, and G cams, and do it all in one biiig weekend. At least that way I'd not be ripping the engine to bits 'just' to do one job, and nothing else, which seems a bit wasteful, given the time involved. Hmmm...

[Mr Gav]

If you`re gonna do that much work you might as well fit the 3.2 block while you`re at it 

[Marks DTM Calib]

You do NOT want 3.0 heads....unless you want to lower your compression ratio.

The easy tune up is 3.0 Cams plus 3.0 lower inlet divider.

2.6/3.2 manifolds then add a bit more but the cams are the main gain area.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

I know that as soon as you start removing that level of stuff, the argument will always be 'hang on, just pick up a scrap 3.0/3.2, and stick that in.' To be honest my reasons for sticking with the original engine, no matter how much or little mods I eventually do are:

Known engine - I know every single piece of work done on that engine for 10 years, and receipts in the FSH dating back to when she was new.
Wear - I know for a fact that my lickle V6 engine has never been stressed or hurried, certainly in the last decade, and did mostly motorway rep miles before then. Again, in the last 10 years, apart from trying to get her run right over the last few months (now sorted) she's practically never been over 3,000rpm! 
Sentimental - yes, sad though it is, I couldn't bear to actually rip her heart out, and stick another one in. On a more practical level, there really is nothing wrong with the engine, and just throwing any engine in the bin just goes against the grain, for me.

These Blydenstein heads are giving me sleepless nights! Can someone bung a price up so I can say 'ah well, out of my price range. Was a nice idea, but not to be' ... anything over £20, really     


EDIT: Thanks Mark. I remember a thread a while ago now you mention it - couldn't remember which way round it went... 3.0 heads on a 2.5 = higher or lower CR. Riiiight, that's that out, then, phew! I was about to get poor again!! 

[Marks DTM Calib]

There is nothing on those Bilstein heads that you cant do yourself in the garage over a few evenings.

[Kevin Wood]

... she's practically never been over 3,000rpm!  ...

.. and all the benefits will be over 3,000 RPM, so maybe you can save yourself the effort?

[Mr Gav]

There is nothing on those Bilstein heads that you cant do yourself in the garage over a few evenings.

Might find them a bit bouncy 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

... she's practically never been over 3,000rpm!  ...

.. and all the benefits will be over 3,000 RPM, so maybe you can save yourself the effort?

Ah worry not, once she's restored and in my hands she'll be having plenty of 3,000rpm action.. she's earned it! 

[biggriffin]

Just come and buy my 3.0L engine