Heads off & Thermostat

[Martin_1962]

Can't get it apart so what are the practicalities of removing the head, to do the thermostat?

I have quite a few bits to collect, also is it worth changing the oil heat exchanger as well?

Valve seals - are there design issues as they shouldn't leak at 7 years old.

Can't see any point in not doing all in one go - ticking manifold too

Also will be about 25000 - 30000 from last cam belt - new one?

Parts required?

Got
thermostat

need
transfer pipe
2 head sets
2 cam cover sets
Sealing gunge
water pump
cam belt?
2 x G Cams

Also how long to strip down repair and reassemble roughly

[Kevin Wood]

Have you tried removing the cam sprockets and the cam belt backplate? That should give you some room to swing Sammy at the thermostat.

Got to be preferable to removing the head. :-/

Kevin

[Martin_1962]

Have you tried removing the cam sprockets and the cam belt backplate? That should give you some room to swing Sammy at the thermostat.

Got to be preferable to removing the head. :-/

Kevin

Need a locking kit for that - however doesn't stop the oil burning

[JamesV6CDX]

If you need to do stem seals, I would say all in one go.

[Elite Pete]

Have you tried it with the PAS reservoir removed.

[Kevin Wood]

Ahh, OK. If stem seals and manifolds need doing now, them might as well bite the bullet.

Kevin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Metal head gaskets on a 2.6 as well.....

[hotel21]

If you cannot remove the b*st*rd bolt it makes things more complex, I think.  Pass side head would need to come off complete with thermostat and transfer pipe...?

[Martin_1962]

Well until it started burning oil I wasn't thinking of any major surgery but oil seals gone is pushing it.

The cam cover gaskets are perfect.

Will do either in the summer or next summer.

However I now know what cams to drop in for 18bhp, with chipping it will be just over 200bhp