The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi
Just purchased a Land Rover SWB with a 3.5 on carbs fitted.

Unfortunately, (or not!) it's got a blown head gasket, which why I got it cheapish!

Engine dropped all it's water on the cars first drive, overheated and now pressurises the coolant.

Plan is to remove head, skim them, composite head gasket and refit. Need to buy some AF spanners and sockets, what sizes will I need to remove and strip the heads?

Thanks

Andy

I would get an A/F socket set. From memory, you will need 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 and 5/8.

Chris.

Thanks, the usual suspects then!

Did promise myself that'd I won't have another old AF car.....gave all my tools away !

I would pressure test the block and head - these engines don't take too kindly to overheating...

Chris.

I was going to get the heads tested, for cracking and warping, how do I test the block without stripping it down?

You can do it in the car, when the heads are off. All you have to do is to plug the various holes, of which there aren't many. Only two on each block deck, and if the timing cover is off, two at the front of the block.

I made a set of metal plates to do mine, and used some rubber inner tube to make the seals.

Chris.