looking for parts for an LD28 (Head Gaskets)

[goglio704]

Given the difference of only .18mm between the thickest and thinnest offerings, and the fact that there is an intermediate thickness between those, I'd say it is safe to say that the LD28 is very susceptible to compression ratio changes from the gasket. Also the diesel head gasket may have special provisions for the prechamber. I don't know this to be true, but it seems likely.

[dieseldorf]

Autoparts Warehouse has Fel-Pro gasket # 0&3 in stock part#: FP8960B $57.48
Also, they have a complete gasket set (without head gasket), including the valve cover, plenum (intake manifold), exhaust, water outlet etc.
part#: FPHSU8929 $70.75

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com

[goglio704]

Autoparts Warehouse has Fel-Pro gasket # 0&3 in stock part#: FP8960B $57.48
Also, they have a complete gasket set (without head gasket), including the valve cover, plenum (intake manifold), exhaust, water outlet etc.
part#: FPHSU8929 $70.75

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com

Have you ordered and received these? I've bought from them in the past. There is no correlation between what they have on the website and what they actually can provide. Either way, I appreciate the thought.

[goglio704]

Their site shows two thicknesses of head gasket available. I ordered one of each. Will advise on results.

[goglio704]

My credit card was charged a couple days after I ordered the gaskets. Today the charges were refunded. No explanation. No communication. YMMV.

[dieseldorf]

So we can check-off that supplier. I am still optimistic. Found another supplier which list that gasket on their web-site:
car-stuff.com
This time I called them to make sure it is in stock. Out of stock however,
told me to call-back in two weeks. Will see.

[mrtaquito85]

aa

[RAVC1]

Does anyone have recommendations for an engine gasket kit?

Rick

[JasperG]

Does anyone have recommendations for an engine gasket kit?

Rick

Hey Rick, not sure one is still available. Gaskets are hard to find. Car quest did have the intake/exhaust gasket as I just bought one and bought one there about 2 yrs ago. Headgaskets are not so easy, as you can tell. I got my first one from carquest and just bought one on ebay. victor part numbers are 3996 and 3999 i believe on the two ive bought. Gordo

[minimog]

All LD28 gaskets are available here in the UK, suprisingly
I'll post up all part numbers and contact details for future reference when I get back to work.

[RAVC1]

I also have some level of recent unexpected success for everyone here. One of the head gasket posts referred us to the Tomei MLS head gasket from Speedzone Performance (http://speedzoneweb.com/) in Florida. I called them a few minutes ago to inquire about the Tomei head gaskets shown on their website for the 1981-1983 LD28. Vishal confirmed this gasket, in all four thicknesses they list (1.0 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm) are still available from this Japanese specialty head gasket maker. The price is as listed on their website; $290.

I also called our local Corteco rep's office in Ohio and left a message regarding the LD28 in view of goglio704's success with obtaining gaskets from them.

Finally, I called my local CarQuest as most recent successes with head gasket purchases seem to be associated with them or Victor. All the Victor part numbers (FS3999, 3996, and 3999 appearing in this thread are currently "obsolete"; meaning all stock is gone (Maybe it depends on how hard you're willing to look...). The CarQuest employee offered to call their specialty parts supplier in Gd. Rapids, MI on Monday regarding head gaskets, engine kits and EGR valves.

If I simply Google a specific part for the LD28 I do find many Chinese manufacturers of pistons, rings, etc. However, these are all unqualified parts sources for me so I would not take the risk associated with a purchase.

While I got excited regarding this reference a made a few weeks ago; they appear to be useful only as a part number/diagram source. This is the general url:

http://www.nissanpartszone.com/code/198 ... s-468.html

I called them again yesterday to inquire about OE pistons and finally received an eMail response; discontinued so NLA. I will send them an eMail suggesting they post the LD28 parts are not availabe on the relevant pages of their website.

Persistence must be key to these engines. Hopefully, some of this effort will make progress for us.

Rick

[RAVC1]

While I located another lower cost supplier for the Tomei head gasket (http://captwholesale.rpmware.com/tomei/ ... 50046.aspx) I suspect the information posted on this and the Speedzone Performance website regarding the usage of this gasket for the LD28 is incorrect. Both websites indicate the bore to be 90.0 mm; far larger than our LD28 (~ 85 mm).

I also forgot this New Zealand manufacturer; ACL. I spoke with them in mid May and they indicated they can currently supply gaskets and bearings. Their website (http://www.acl.co.nz/Tech/Tech.html) indicates they have a few essential parts for us. The problem is I know nothing of this company so it is difficult for me to want to install one of their head gaskets in the absence of this necessary information. The pdf on this page indicates they have the 1.2 mm head gasket if I understand it correctly. Here is the information regarding the LD28 head gasket:

LD28 GRADE INDENTIFICATION
SERIES OF NOTCHES LOCATED AT SIDE OF GASKET
NOTCHES:
1 = 1.12 mm
2 = 1.20 mm
3 = 1.28 mm

GRADE SELECTION
WHEN REPLACING HEAD GASKETS ONLY USE SAME
GRADE AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED. SELECT CORRECT GRADE ACCORDING TO PISTON PROTRUSION VALUES.
PROTRUSION GRADE

Piston Protrusion < 0.487mm -> Grade 1
Piston Protrusion = 0.487mm - 0.573mm -> Grade 2
Piston Protrusion > 0.573mm -> Grade 3

GRADES AVAILABLE FROM ACNZL
GRADE 2 BK080

Rick

[RAVC1]

I am pasting a response I received today from New Zealand (http://www.acl.co.nz/).

Hi Rick

We can supply 1 head gasket or 1 head gasket set. We have not had any problem's with this gasket and have been selling it for over 20 years. It is a graphite gasket with steel bore binders and in its day at the top of engine spec's. Our gasket is certainly fit for purpose but you will have to strip engine first gasket thickness is not by notches but by how much the pistons stick out of block at top dead centre.

Head Gasket BK080 NZD $65.00 plus postage NZD $70.00

Head Set DK081 NZD $155.00 plus postage NZD $170.00

Regards Ray

Ray Stoatt
Export Officer and Sales consultant.
Ph. 09 828 4115 DDI 09 8204867

[Tomslide50]

RAVC1- You sir, have just made my day(year really). I've heard prominent engine builders rave about ACL bearings but had no idea they made gaskets. I've been working on a ported LD turbo project but almost bit the bullet on a custom copper gasket. That full gasket set is less than half what I was going to pay for a gasket alone. I feel like I owe you money.

[RAVC1]

Tomslide50 - It is good to learn my effort has had some benefit; it is clear I must persevere in these efforts to find suitable parts support for this engine.

I hope ACL becomes a somewhat consistent source. Their history with this engine suggests a positive result for us LD28 owners. Unfortunately, I will be unable to sample their product as I am merely disassembling one of my two engines (the parts engine) to determine what contact is good in addition to the crank. It will be months before I have funds and time to assemble one of my LD28's to measure piston protrusion above the block deck.

With my limited and skewed perspective of the US car market, I am not surprised to learn of the difficulty I am experiencing in identifying parts suppliers here; diesel engines still leave many people (in my walk through life) with a negative impression. I much prefer the better hardware of the diesel application, the efficiency and the lovely sound!

Good Luck and please report back to us if you do use one of the ACL gaskets. We need the knowledge.

Rick