Cylinder Head questions

[Pierre]

Hello everybody,

hope you all doing fine !

I am about to change the cylinder head gasket on my 2000 from 1968.
I already ordered a head gasket kit from datsunparts.com but I have a couple of questions.

Is it necessary to change the cylinder head bolts after I change the gasket?
if yes, are there any aftermarket options?

Do you thing it is a good idea to replace the valves with new ones?
If yes do I need to change other components as well?
If yes are the any aftermarket options ?

Are there any other advises you could give me regarding the head gasket change, some things to be aware of?

I am asking about the aftermarket options because I live in Europe and ordering parts in the US will be expensive and very long to get.

Thx for the help and stay safe,

Pierre

[Linda]

Pierre
Check with Richard at DatsunRoadster.nl. He is in the Netherllands and is a Datsun Roadster expert. He is on the Vendor page

https://www.datsunroadster.nl/

Linda

[keith0alan]

Having the head off is a good opportunity to check out the valves and such. The valves and seats will quite likely need resurfaced but not replaced. Check the valve springs for weak ones. Make sure the head is flat. New valve guide seals. Check the valve guides for excessive wear. If the bolts are not excessively corroded they can be reused but the ARP studs are a good upgrade. All that being said, a basic cylinder head recondition is pretty standard automotive machine shop work.

[Pierre]

Pierre
Check with Richard at DatsunRoadster.nl. He is in the Netherllands and is a Datsun Roadster expert. He is on the Vendor page

https://www.datsunroadster.nl/

Linda

Hi Linda ,

I already wrote him about the bolts, hopefully he has some on stock !

[Pierre]

Having the head off is a good opportunity to check out the valves and such. The valves and seats will quite likely need resurfaced but not replaced. Check the valve springs for weak ones. Make sure the head is flat. New valve guide seals. Check the valve guides for excessive wear. If the bolts are not excessively corroded they can be reused but the ARP studs are a good upgrade. All that being said, a basic cylinder head recondition is pretty standard automotive machine shop work.

Thx for all the advices !
I planned to bring the head to s local machine shop, they will clean and resurface the head an check for any cracks.
Where can I find the ARP studs and do you know what the exact measurements would be ?

[theunz]

Dean as well as I think some of the other vendors sell the ARP studs. The U-20 is well known for breaking head bolts, so if it’s in your budget go ahead and replace with ARP. Also when you take the cam out you will loose your timing reference if you don’t mark the chain and the cam gear. The factory chain and gears have marks on them, but aftermarket may not. You can use some mig welding or bailing wire to go through both sides of the chain at the bottom of the gear and then wrap it around the gear ( with chain still on it) and twist it to keep it all tight. Also don’t let the chain slip off of the bottom, or actually middle, sprocket.Of course if you still have the “evil L” you just use the sprocket bolt to hold the gear in place on the L. The only thing it’s good for! It you are not familiar with the “evil L” then you need to do a search. If possible run a thread chaser or die over the intake and exhaust studs. Do not remove the cam towers, just the caps or you will have difficulty getting them realigned. Also keep the caps in order so that they go back on their original tower. If more than a skim on resurfacing you may need to add shims under the towers. Don’t forget the 2 small nuts at the front of the head that go into the timing cover.

[Linda]

If there is any way to let Richard do the work I would suggest it, because the average machine shop could easily screw up. Will not be an issue with Richard.
Are you in France? Maybe a nice road trip, if allowed to the Netherlands

Linda

[C.Costine]

As Keith said it is a pretty straight forward job for any automotive machine shop. They know all the little details like getting you ARPS studs to replace your bolts, checking thickness and cam towers against original specs to make sure that it hasn't already been milled too much, where to access replacement valves if needed, etc. etc.

[JT68]

Pierre, these day its very difficult to find a machine ship that has even seen a U20 head, let alone has any knowledge of how to set it up properly. We have repaired so many bastard attempts, I could not even begin to count them. Unfortunately, all those shops will also tell you "sure, we can work on a Datsun head, no problem" Word to the wise- Think again!

The best advice on this thread is to contact Richard and let him do the head. Otherwise there is a high probability "your local shop" will make it worse than it is now.

Obviously, if you are in France, I have nothing to gain from this - just trying to keep you from making a very expensive mistake!

[Linda]

Thx for the backup, JT on using a regular shop. Maybe shops are more honest where C Costine lives
Anyway we can count on Richard. Even just getting the correct parts from Richard is a big step forward.

Plus, we like to be nice to the French since they did give is the Statue of Liberty! Wow!
Linda

[mraitch]

i think richard is actually Belgian or Dutch - there is a difference!

[Pierre]

Pierre, these day its very difficult to find a machine ship that has even seen a U20 head, let alone has any knowledge of how to set it up properly. We have repaired so many bastard attempts, I could not even begin to count them. Unfortunately, all those shops will also tell you "sure, we can work on a Datsun head, no problem" Word to the wise- Think again!

The best advice on this thread is to contact Richard and let him do the head. Otherwise there is a high probability "your local shop" will make it worse than it is now.

Obviously, if you are in France, I have nothing to gain from this - just trying to keep you from making a very expensive mistake!

Thx for the advices!

The machine shop I am planning to go to is specialised in classic cars and they have a very good reputation.
I live in Luxembourg and bringing the head to Richard would be a 5h drive for me . An it would be impossible right now because au the Coronavirus we are not allowed to cross borders an to go to the Netherlands from Luxembourg you have to cross at least 2 .
So I have no other choice

[JT68]

Sorry we guessed France, maybe just ship it to Richard? Either way, that is the best plan-I don't know of anyone more capable in the EU than Richard! Give them a call, great folks and they won't ruin your head!

[Linda]

Few would have guessed Luxembourg. You do have a beautiful country. I look forward to some pics of you and your car in the beautiful countryside once you are driving.
I would agree to ship to Richard. I am sure JT could list a few of the mistakes shops have made. Over shaving the head is one I have heard about. Getting another head would be difficult, so....
Good luck,
Linda

[68DSU]

Not sure about the 2000 but It is easy to put the gasket on wrong and block a water port. At least it was for me around 50 years ago when I did it.

Until the virus came I was planning on being in Luxembourg mid May. Maybe next year. I'll be n touch.