Differences between EF/EL and AU head?

[bindi]

I was discussing with a friend about my idea of putting an AU head on the EA (it's an ED engine).

I know to put on an AU gasket etc... although there is a vague memory where someone on here suggested boring some particular bit out of the head (remind me if you know who you are - I think it was to get something out quicker and improve efficiency?! : Blonde moment).

So anyway, what is the difference btwn the EF/EL head and the AU head? And what, in your opinions, is the way to go? I am not really chasing performance, but I don't want to have to keep doing the head change too regularly. I want to know that once it's done, it's done for a few years.

Note: It's dual fuel too, just letting you know in case it makes a difference

[Gunns]

If you are running duel fuel, you might want to try and find a AU Egas head, cam and rocker gear.
The heads aren't really the problem in eseries engines, it the gaskets that were used. By using the AU meatal gasket this fixes the problem.
When it comes to doing preformance mod to heads it becomes a diffrent issue all together.

[EA2BA]

EA/EB/ED/EF/EL ran a rocker ratio of 2:1 and AU ran 1.8:1, you can bolt either to any head, but you must use ea/eb/ed/ef/el cam and rocker gear (any combo is fine, I run EA head and EF Cam), or au cam and rocker gear together.

[bindi]

Ahhhhhhhhhh! I see!

I have organised the AU metal gasket (of course, nice new head bolts) but is there any point to just replacing the gasket? I have always been under the impression that while the head's off you should get it reco'd (or replace it with one that already has been). Basically it's because there may be an unidentified issue with your old one so by reco-ing it you can be sure that the head you put back on is in good nick. And nobody wants to go to all that trouble and then find out they should've replaced the head after all...

AU egas head? What's the differences in that? Very curious...

[XRated]

You can use the same head. Just get it machined and crack tested etc. Should only cost a bit over $100. If it's cracked, you'll need to replace it or reco it $$$$.

Bindi, I just took a head to get the basics done (crack tested, machined etc) and they identified a crack. I was quoted $330 to weld the crack, and reco the head... Or $440 exchange :S

[Gunns]

The AU egas head, has higher compression, and runs bronzed valve guides, HD gas valve seats, and the cam has been ground to suit gas.
For around $350 you can get your head fully recoed with all the above work done, except for the cam. A regrind from wade for gas is about $120

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by bindi

Ahhhhhhhhhh! I see!

I have organised the AU metal gasket (of course, nice new head bolts) but is there any point to just replacing the gasket? I have always been under the impression that while the head's off you should get it reco'd (or replace it with one that already has been). Basically it's because there may be an unidentified issue with your old one so by reco-ing it you can be sure that the head you put back on is in good nick. And nobody wants to go to all that trouble and then find out they should've replaced the head after all...

AU egas head? What's the differences in that? Very curious...

Ppl usually send the head off for a skim/reco when the head gasket lets go as more often than not, they'll cook the engine. Im not sure if this is what happened to you...??

Gas head likely to have valve seats designed for the poor lubricating properties of LPG. Maybe slightly higher compression.. I thought EGAS was BA-speak?

[bindi]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Ppl usually send the head off for a skim/reco when the head gasket lets go as more often than not, they'll cook the engine. Im not sure if this is what happened to you...??

It hasn't happened yet... the mechanic who mentioned it said something like "You'll need to get the head gasket done by next rego" (July 06). He also said that the gasket was leaking at the air end rather than the water end? WTF does that mean (if anything)? Please translate into redhead speak :P

I am losing a bit of water but not sure where... thinking it's either the heater core or the gas system... or maybe the head after all.

I just don't want it to break down, I want to prevent this from becoming a major problem and have to replace the engine (been there, done that).

[Gunns]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

I thought EGAS was BA-speak?

It all started back on the AU.

[SileNceR]

Wait.... when I get my AU engine I can put my cam and rocker gear in it and it should be all sweet?

[sphell]

Originally Posted by EA2BA

EA/EB/ED/EF/EL ran a rocker ratio of 2:1 and AU ran 1.8:1, you can bolt either to any head, but you must use ea/eb/ed/ef/el cam and rocker gear (any combo is fine, I run EA head and EF Cam), or au cam and rocker gear together.

does that mean I can run an E-series cam and rocker gear in my AU motor?

[Psycho Chicken]

Nope, bolt pattern is different.

[EA2BA]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

Nope, bolt pattern is different.

I would guess thats for the rocker pedestals or for the cam support points ?

AU rocker pedestals you could use and the EA rockers and cam then ??

[mcriggles]

hi there I'm new to forums so if I'm doing the wrong thing let me know. I want to put an AU head on a EL bottom end has anybody done this . what head gasket and timing gear do i use. I run an hi torque cam on the Can i use it on the AU head?

[Crazy Dazz]

Do you know when your EL was built? Supposedly later ELs had a hybrid engine, with an AU head.
So it should definitely be possible. No idea if the volumes were different.

You would use the AU head gasket.

And the short answer on the cam is no.
Supposedly different journals/ rockers/ pedestals.
(I have heard of guys making it work, with a combination of parts, and it runs, but sometimes they break things. And if you get it wrong, it's bent valves or worse.)

[mcriggles]

thanks for the reply mine is a 3/97 EL
if i want to use the AU head I'll need to get a Hi torque cam for that