Where is the head cracked at? You could always try the unthinkable and buy a 4bd2 head(new ones are common now), injectors and convert it to a 4bd2t. People say the the parts will interchange from the 2 to a 1 and I couldn't see why it won't go the other way. Honestly I'd keep my eyes out for a replacement head or look into repairing yours if possible.

Matt

 

Where is the head cracked at?
Matt

It's cracked on top of the head between the 3rd cylinder valves.

 

How much does a new head from isuzu cost?

 

Haven't priced one yet, but I'm guessing way beyond my budget.

 

Whoa!

Never seen one crack there.

I would see what Napa or Isuzu gets for an overhauled head assembly.

There is a wrecker in Georgia that should have some cores, I think they guarantee rebuild ability.

 

Thanks Erik! I might need that number.

I'm going to get a quote on a head from Isuzu so I can rule out that option.

Matt suggested "the unthinkable." A brand new head for $300ish is tempting, but I would also need injectors, and then the new pistons I have wouldn't work. I think I'm going to stick with the 1T for my application.

Would anyone be willing to try talking me into to getting some nickle welding rods and attempt to repair this one?? I'm usually up for a Hail Mary if it isn't too expensive.

Appreciate the support, gentlemen. Attached is a pic of the rig I'm building this for. Cheers, JD

 

Holy cripes that's a good one! Yeah you'd need pistons too...

I'd be all for your 'hail mary' to see how it turns out. What about bolting to the block and brazing/welding up all the crack you can see? Worse case is you'll use a couple of gaskets.

 

Thanks guys,

I've got a quote from the dealership: a bare head casting from Isuzu is $1,5xx.xx (I stopped listening after the 'fifteen hundred').

Waiting to hear back from Rudy.

Should mention that this 3rd cylinder piston was toast, and one of the valve stem guides was snapped off--I did not find the remains when I removed the valve.

Holy cripes that's a good one!

Whoa!

Never seen one crack there.

You may be wondering how I missed it? In my defense, it's a lot easier to see in a closeup pic with flash! I also didn't expect to see a crack on top so I probably didn't inspect the top as closely as I should have.

 

I would not be swapping from a 1T to 2T its kind of a step backwards, there are cheap 2T heads all over because they ALL crack. Cracks on the 1T are very uncommon especially in the spot yours is. Should be no issue rebuilding the good bottom end you have and using a different 1T head.

Also a swap from a 1T to 2T is not as simple as heads and injectors, there is injector lines, pump, pistons, intake manifold. So its not a cheap process unless you get a whole engine and at that point you are better off getting a 1T re builder engine.

 

I know Rudy's Diesel has a somewhat spotty record, but I spoke to him a while back about converting a 2 to a 1. He had all the parts, and I thought for a fair price. He's maybe worth a try.

Disclaimer: All I have ever bought was a gasket set from him.

Doug

 

If that was my engine I'd probably part it out (the IP alone will fetch a nice price) and just look for another runner. They can still be found for $1000 or less if you're patient.

That is unless you can source a good head for under $500.

 

Check ebay. Here is a complete rebuilt head for $500. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Rebuil.../400586719674?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d44d441ba&vxp=mtr Here is a new bare head for $390 http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BARE-IS...BD2-CYLINDER-HEAD-/160887572242?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item I have never dealt with either seller so can't attest to the quality.

 

2T heads unfortunately. But duffontap could contact those sellers and see what else they have.

 

My 1T was cracked on the #3 cylinder also, but in between the valve seats in the combustion chamber. Just a warning on the new Chinese 1T heads. The one I got from Rudy was not drilled for glowplugs. I don't know if it was a bad batch from the importer or not. Since I live in a colder climate I swapped it for a good used head that Rudy had. When I was looking for a replacement I discovered that used 1T heads are kind of hard to find.

 

Good to know, helix.

No word back from Rudy yet. I actually sent him an unrelated email last week and haven't heard back from that either; several phone calls during business hours went to voicemail, too. Perhaps they're swamped.

Not sure the Hail-Mary-weld-the-crack is a viable option, now. After a very careful inspection, it appears that the crack extends across the top, ends on one side of a freeze plug, starts back up on the other side and runs out somewhere between the push rod passages.

 

Yeah, for some reason Rudy is hard to get a hold of. It can be...frustrating. From what you describe about your head, it sounds like a good doorstop.

 

Good to know about Rudy. I still haven't heard back from him but I see that he's still active on Ebay.

I would try to grind out the cracked iron and weld it, but I wouldn't know if it was successful until it was run for awhile; it's just such a gamble.

I think this is them, but I'm not sure.

Worth a phone call.

Thanks!

 

I've had good luck with Busbey's truck parts back east. I've had to buy some good used parts like cam and brackets and such and always got good parts at decent prices from them.

Don

 

Thanks Don,

Wasn't it about a week ago that I was telling you everything was within spec and looking usable? That was the day I found the crack. Cheers, JD

 

Any reason why a 4BD1T out of a Link-Belt excavator wouldn't work? I'm in contact with a guy who will only sell the engine whole, but the price is within my budget. It's partly torn down and needs a rebuild but the seller says the head is good. Are there any relevant differences between the NPR version and the excavator version of the 4BD1T?

 

The ancillary setup could be very different. Injection pump likely too. But all those parts can be bolted across.

Depending on the condition, I could be interested in some unneeded parts when you're finished this process.