Greetings all, I came across your forum whilst searching for information on my TP Magna Wagon.

I have a 1991 TP Magna that I paid $1900.00 for a little over 12 months ago. It is a Wagon and in very good condition, I am its second owner and was quite happy with the car when I got it as I am a home renovator and was suitably impressed with how much gear the wagon carries. Whole doors can be laid down with room to spare which helps me a lot running backwards and forwards to different places.

Anyway, long story short the clutch burnt out, I had the clutch replaced then two weeks later the charcoal canister split and it sucked particles into the Carby, which I also had fixed, Ultra Tune both times. Not a month later after noticing overheating, the head is found to be cracked. Ultra Tune have quoted me $1200 for the repair which seems to be average of the places I have phoned.

I have a quote in from Repco for a fitted new long motor at $2900.

My concern is the head cracking again. I have spoken with RAA technical services who have told me that model of car has issues with the heads cracking and even if I get the $2900 motor, it is quite likely that the head being a remachined original may well crack the same again.

I have tried phoning Yella Terra to get an aftermarket head and am not having any joy so far.

Clearly this must be a problem that other Magna owners have faced, I am wondering if anyone can give me any suggestions as to how I can fix the problem properly?

I did phone the Jap importers to see if I could simply switch engines, yet they said that the one it has is an Australian made carby model and not compatible with anything that they would have, so I seem to be striking out blanks on all fronts at present!

So any suggestions are welcome!

dont use ultra tune or repco

find a good local gararge SA members will tell you where some are

best go to a wrecker find another head up to a TR/TS Magna 4 cylinder
take it to a head reconditioner

have it refaced pressure tested and valve stem seals done by them

even get them to fit it

much cheaper

vrs kit for the TP is $59 off ebay
then you have your car back

if you want an engine (need more info )
buy one from a car being wrecked you can hear run
or a wrecker
replace the chains and seals before the engine goes back into your car

much better option

I agree with magnabuff... those places are all just liars and rip you off... in my opinion!

I had my had fixed on one of mine for $400 (i have a car yard so could get it a bit cheaper)... id imagine you could get it done for a lot less than they suggest.

Those places tend not to just fix teh problem, theyll then say this and this and this and even this all NEED replacing before you can drive the car again...

Hunt around general mechanics rather than known names and see how you go!

Thats my opinion :)

Thanks!

I took your advice and phoned "Mitsi-Bits" wreckers in Lonsdale, yes they have the parts and yes they can do the work, they can supply a fitted reconditioned long motor from a VR for less than Ultra Tune want to fix the head alone - So thanks again!

One point that the chap at the wreckers made was that when a head is welded it actually can weaken the head causing it to crack again, I had not thought of that before but it doesnt sound unreasonable.......

Thanks!

I took your advice and phoned "Mitsi-Bits" wreckers in Lonsdale, yes they have the parts and yes they can do the work, they can supply a fitted reconditioned long motor from a VR for less than Ultra Tune want to fix the head alone - So thanks again!

One point that the chap at the wreckers made was that when a head is welded it actually can weaken the head causing it to crack again, I had not thought of that before but it doesnt sound unreasonable.......

You mean a TR :P

A VR engine would be pretty cool though :shock:

:redface: oops!

How about a 13B Rotary...... :cool:

I have spoken with RAA technical services who have told me that model of car has issues with the heads cracking

I don't know about that, my engine has done 230,000kms without ever being pulled apart. A carby rebuild is about the biggest engine issue it's ever had...