Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Photobucket
Welcome to Mercedes-190.co.uk

We are the Mercedes 190 owners forum, the place to be for all owners and fans of the Mercedes 190E, 190 and 190D cars. Including Cosworth (2.3 16v and 2.5 16v), EVO 1 and EVO 2 models. Modified and concourse, track cars and daily drivers, all are welcome.

This free UK based forum was started back in November 2005 to serve the Mercedes 190 W201 community and now has over 9000 members from all around the world and 600,000 + posts.

The members welcome you and encourage you to stay a while and have a look around.
We offer you friendly chat and access to some very useful information as well as tutorials with photos and videos for many common repair and maintenance jobs.
Whatever your needs there is a good chance you will be able to find what your looking for. Such as our Mercedes 190 buyers guide

Sign up to gain access to all areas including for sale / classified areas and country wide meetings and events. Many forum features and sections are only available once you sign up.

Join our forum at mercedes-190.co.uk!

If you're already a member please log in to your account:

**New members signing up**
please check your junk mail for the email authorization email
otherwise we cannot verify your new account.
I have noticed a lot of unauthorized accounts in the system.
Regards
Admin

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
who's the 2.3 16v head guru
Topic Started: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:51 am (1,483 Views)
Daniel
Member Avatar
Part of things
[ *  * ]
whilst I'm cracking on with busywork on the rest of the car, I thought I might whip the head off and send it away to have it refurb'd with a potential mild tune.

obviously I can package and send, so location's not a problem, but I'm looking for advice on who to use?

also an idea of cost would be useful?

thanks in advance
Edited by Daniel, Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:53 am.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
RobertE
Member Avatar
Serial victim...
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Whereabouts are you? Crewe engines do this and have a decent reputation. Depending on what needs doing, you might get away with a decoke and new guides etc., but a full-on overhaul with new valves all round would probably be a couple of grand all in. They're very friendly - give them a call. They advertise on this forum.

Hamlins in Bridgwater (nr. Taunton) are excellent - full engineering facilities - any high-end old car around here has probably seen the inside of their shop.

And there are several punters on here who have a fine reputation also...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
bri957
More than part of things
[ *  *  * ]
"The man in a shed".

He does the head work for a number of places, but does not advertise his services.

Some info here:

http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?s=6ec5be1712443f3d8c953b359eb9ce1d&t=103405
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
bri957
More than part of things
[ *  *  * ]
More info here:

http://www.clubgti.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=192726
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
RobertE
Member Avatar
Serial victim...
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
That does not fill me with confidence, tbh...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Stempies
Member Avatar
Hot Lips
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Swaymar Engineering Ltd did some fantastic head work for me many moons ago! Used to be in Leatherhead but not sure if they're still going though, worth an internet check i guess!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
twopointsix
Addicted
[ *  *  *  * ]
The M-B Club 16 valve guru is Merparts in Port Glasgow. Many recommendations from Club members who are all delighted with his work. Specialise in tuning and sorting Evos. Paul and Stephano Mazzoni at Merparts are very helpful and extremely knowledgeable. 01473 741236. Would probably be more expensive than the man in the shed, but if he used to do machine work for Bill Blydenstein, he ought to know his stuff.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ks652
Part of things
[ *  * ]
What would be in involved in a full head recon?

What are the pros for doing this?

Whats replaced?

Porting and polishing would obviously take place here yes?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
jeremy
Member Avatar
Too Far Gone To Help
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Give Middlesex Rebore a call too .


Jeremy :evo2: :driver:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Will
Member Avatar
Highly Addicted
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
There's not a lot to 'tune' on the head to be honest. What you're looking for it to make sure that everything is in good order, cleaned and within tolerance.

IMHO, it'll be a case of head off, check for warpage (unlikely, it might want a tiny, tiny skim to clean it up), check the condition of the valves/guides etc (valves should be ok unless cracked, guides may be a little worn). Valves lapped back in, refit the new/cleaned parts as neccessary, new stem seals, re-set all of the valve clearances.

Re-fit the head with new head bolts (unless old ones are measured OK - they're stretch bolts, I'd just replace them as they are cheap), new MB gaskets, new timing chain (unless very, very recent and perfect!), maybe a new tensioner if it has the older type fitted.

Should be good to go. Bottom ends are very strong on these engines.

Will
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Daniel
Member Avatar
Part of things
[ *  * ]
Will.....that's exactly what I'm looking for
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Will
Member Avatar
Highly Addicted
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Any decent local engineering firm will be able to do this. There will be somewhere close by to you for sure, ask a few of the local garages who they use. You'll probably hear of one place that is recommended more than once, they'll be the ones to go for ;)

I used a place in West London - Jenkins Engineering, who did a great job, were honest, and performed the works exactly as I asked and on time for a realistic charge.

Will
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ks652
Part of things
[ *  * ]
Thanks for that info Will,

Would porting and polishing be wise or would it be better to leave the masters (cosworth) work at peace!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Will
Member Avatar
Highly Addicted
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
There's not really much porting to be done. A good clean up is all that is needed IMHO.

I think some people have gone a little further but IMHO these cars are fine just as they are when running properly.

Will
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Will
Member Avatar
Highly Addicted
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
A few pics of my 2.5-16 head that I did a couple of years back:

Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image

And that all important casting:

Posted Image

Will
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ks652
Part of things
[ *  * ]
Thats MINT Will!!

What bhp is a 2.3 16v 1985 putting out from factory? Getting her dynoed on Saturday and il see then how much work I need to do...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
stwat
Member Avatar


ks652
Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:08 pm
Thats MINT Will!!

What bhp is a 2.3 16v 1985 putting out from factory? Getting her dynoed on Saturday and il see then how much work I need to do...
They put out around 185bhp when new.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ks652
Part of things
[ *  * ]
Cheers stwat
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Join the millions that use us for their forum communities. Create your own forum today.
Learn More · Sign-up for Free
« Previous Topic · Engine · Next Topic »
Add Reply


Email me if anyone replys