Bongo Fury

Hi all I have stared this thread as we seem to see this happen sometimes.

Just a thought that I have had for all members, we seem to see people who have had there head gasket replaced and then a short time later they go again.

Is this because the wrong gasket is used? What i was thinking is the Ranger and Bongo gaskets different? I have seen on here they are a different bhp, something like the Ranger 90 bhp & the Bongo 130bhp. So would the gaskets be rated different?

Sorry to ramble (it makes sense in my head ) but just a thought.

good question

Also with Cylinder heads I feel that the genuine item is allways best even if it seams a bit more to begin with.

would a second gasket / head, because a cheap one was used make the saving worth while?

I think not

When we replaced our Engine(mechanic did not want to put a new head on an old block) he said the head gasket was laminated and should last, not sure where the gasket came from, but it has survived a few overheating episodes till I got the coolant system and bleeding sorted So worth sourcing laminated Headgasket

Have to admit that I've never seen a head gasket that wasn't laminated, but I haven't seen a head gasket for 30 years
In the good old days you fitted a new head gasket and, after a couple of hundred miles, you re-tightened the head bolts - it was amazing how loose they'd got. Is this still advisable or have the "use once" bolts done away with the need?

stretch bolts dont require retightening as they are tightened to a torque and then by a number of degrees until stretched so there is final torque to achieve. the stretch factor of the bolt keeps it right.
Having done the head on my bongo the tightening is extremly tight.

Getting back to the ranger/bongo head issue, i have no idea if the cylinder head gasket is interchangeable between the two vehicles, i would suspect so...I wouldn't think the actual head is interchangeable though. Even if it does physically mate, i reckon the cam profiles, and maybe even the valves/seat sizes may differ,apart from the rangers power difference, the ranger is generally a manual vehicle,which would mean a completely different cam profile to utilize the different power transmitting characteristics from the auto to the manual.

Hi,
No one has said that the head should be skimmed if removed from the block. especially if it has been removed for an over heating problem
And the block should be cleaned so that no traces of old head gasket
remain

Anyone got any views on the gasket sets available from different suppliers? Sets on ebay range from about £40 to £80, whilst the ones from the club shop & Bongobits are over £100. Whilst I wouldn't want to risk expensive damage for the sake of saving a few pounds, this does seem to be a large difference. Are there any brands that are recommended or to be avoided?

I'm sure I read on here a long time ago that the Bongo engine has a raised compression ratio compared to the standard Ranger engine. Anyone able to confirm that?

Mike I think you are correct, Bongo engine has higher horsepower.

Don't know if it's raised compression or just a bigger turbo.

FYI - I've ordered the head gasket set from the club shop, so it should be up to the job. Not worth risking future problems for a few pounds.

sounds good Simon