sd33t how to tell cracked head?

Post by **Rosey55** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:03 pm

Hi Guys,

Interested to know if there are any tricks to identifying a cracked head on the sd33? Got the head off and cleaned the surfaces with razor blade, can't see any cracks, I heard the cracks can be well hidden.

Where do cracks typically form? is it worth getting engine shop to perform tests while head is off? $70 to get the head skimmed, any harm in getting this? thought it might be money well spent?

thanks

Post by **hiluxmad** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:58 pm

id get it done for peace of mind and a quality job. they can prob crack test it for you too?

Post by **coxy321** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:19 pm

Crack testing is the go mate. No idea how much it costs, but its the only way of telling for sure.

Probably wouldn't hurt to get the head and deck checked for squareness too.

Post by **ssfabricator** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:25 am

do they use dye penetrant to crack test heads

Post by **Wish I had coils** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:16 am

ssfabricator wrote:do they use dye penetrant to crack test heads

And use a uv light to see the cracks, Well thats what i belive they do.

Post by **mkpatrol** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:49 am

ssfabricator wrote:do they use dye penetrant to crack test heads

There is all differne methods, the dye test is only really relible for external cracks that are visible to the naked eye.

The best method I have seen is they heat the head up, & run hot water into the water jackets, this then opens the cracks & you can see water running out.

Alternatively, heat in a bath of water & pressurise the water jacket, air escapes from the crack.

Best to get it checked, they were renouned for cracking.

Post by **modifiedman** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:53 pm

get it reconditioned while its off, done mine few months ago cost me $550 inc head gasket set, mine has a hairline crack between the valve seats on three of the chambers thats the common spot they go but weren't leaking so ill run it till it dies , pray you got no cracks i priced up new head $1000 plus fitting of valves & guides ect about $ 1600 good luck

Post by **Sterlo** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:25 pm

Good luck.. hope u got no leaking cracks... I not so lucky 1300$ later genuine nissan head with VRS set and seating and fitting valves..

Post by **pongo** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:08 pm

modifiedman wrote:get it reconditioned while its off, done mine few months ago cost me $550 inc head gasket set, mine has a hairline crack between the valve seats on three of the chambers thats the common spot they go but weren't leaking so ill run it till it dies , pray you got no cracks i priced up new head $1000 plus fitting of valves & guides ect about $ 1600 good luck

mine has one on the same spot, been running fine and hard and hot for about 3 yrs now without a drama.

Post by **Wish I had coils** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:15 pm

I've had a blown gasket or more likley a cracked head and i have been driving it like that for 2.5 - 3 years as a daily driver, uses water a bit and the temp gets warm but i just watch it and have never worried about it.

Post by **pongo** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:36 pm

Wish I had coils wrote:I've had a blown gasket or more likley a cracked head and i have been driving it like that for 2.5 - 3 years as a daily driver, uses water a bit and the temp gets warm but i just watch it and have never worried about it.

Reminds me of my old swb, went really well but use to drink water when it was running high on the temp gauge, every 2-3 hrs of highway driving you had to stop and add about 4-5 litres of water.

Never missed a beat, figured either head troubles or head gasket. always kept an eye on it and never got worse, Still have the engine here for a spare

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sd33t how to tell cracked head?

sd33t how to tell cracked head?

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