hello all. I got my 0331 membership card validated about 2 months ago. Its a 2000 XJ Classic with 53,xxx on the clock. The usual symptoms, Started with a temperature jump one afternon. It didnt overheat, but the needle was leaning further right than i would have liked. This was followed by unexplained coolant loss. Oil never got 'milkshake' and my oil volume was always full, never over-full on the dipstick. I think my leak was mostly being consumed in exhaust. Confirmed the leak by pulling the valve cover. I could definitely see coolant residue on the top of the head.
I relpaced the 0331 head with a 630 head with a 1998 production date. I ordered a new exhaust header. The 'accordian' one that i have seen a couple of other guys here use.
Change was very easy, sorry no pics . I am an average DIY guy. It took about 10 hours. I went slow, and took my time to make sure everything was good. Worst part is scraping/cleaning the top of the block and torquing the head bolts.
I was looking for the following info while researching what head to replace with. I post my results here for others benefit.
1. the '00-'01 intake fits the 630 head fine
2. the '00-'01 exhaust will not fit
3. you need an intake/exhaust manifold gasket for a '96-'99
4. you need an exhaust header for a '96-'99
5. valve cover and gasket are same
6. head gasket is the same
7. there are no bosses for the coil rail bolts. make a bracket like others have done.
8. need a new down pipe from the header to the rest of the exhaust.
9. i used new head bolts for piece of mind (FSM says re-using once is ok)
I have one question. I got all of the head bolts torqued to spec, per the FSM. It has quite a torque, check sequence. Do i need to re-check torque in 50, 100, 200 miles? The FSM doesnt say to so i think i am ok.
hope this info is helpful to any others that join the club.
late,
ixj
I relpaced the 0331 head with a 630 head with a 1998 production date. I ordered a new exhaust header. The 'accordian' one that i have seen a couple of other guys here use.
Change was very easy, sorry no pics . I am an average DIY guy. It took about 10 hours. I went slow, and took my time to make sure everything was good. Worst part is scraping/cleaning the top of the block and torquing the head bolts.
I was looking for the following info while researching what head to replace with. I post my results here for others benefit.
1. the '00-'01 intake fits the 630 head fine
2. the '00-'01 exhaust will not fit
3. you need an intake/exhaust manifold gasket for a '96-'99
4. you need an exhaust header for a '96-'99
5. valve cover and gasket are same
6. head gasket is the same
7. there are no bosses for the coil rail bolts. make a bracket like others have done.
8. need a new down pipe from the header to the rest of the exhaust.
9. i used new head bolts for piece of mind (FSM says re-using once is ok)
I have one question. I got all of the head bolts torqued to spec, per the FSM. It has quite a torque, check sequence. Do i need to re-check torque in 50, 100, 200 miles? The FSM doesnt say to so i think i am ok.
hope this info is helpful to any others that join the club.
late,
ixj