well had had a head problem for a while, was using coolant and combustion gasses were present in the coolant. was fine around town if i kept the water topped up, but im doing a big trip soon and wanted it sorted.
got a m9 head (kidney shaped chambers) from repco for $480 exchange.
my mate dave (mechanic) did most of the specialised work with me doing the apprentice type **** lol. had use of his workshop which makes things eleventy times easier.
any way here are the pics.

ready to start
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4739.jpg

exhaust coming off
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4740.jpg

more exhaust crap
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4741.jpg

valve cover off
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4742.jpg

removing cam carriers
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4744.jpg

cam ready to come out
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4745.jpg

removing head bolts
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4746.jpg

still looks ok after a re build 120k kms ago, cross hatching still visable
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4747.jpg

the main offender
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4749.jpg

fair few spots where water has got past the gasket
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4750.jpg

m9 head
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4757.jpg

kidney shaped combustion chambers
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4758.jpg

marked under cam position
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4755.jpg

marked on side
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4756.jpg

new gasket on
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4759.jpg

new head on
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4760.jpg

cleaning head bolt threads
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4761.jpg

torqueing up head bolts
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4762.jpg

old head m3
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4763.jpg

cam back in
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4765.jpg

one of the old lifters (replaced all with new ones)
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4767.jpg

cam carriers and rocker gear back on
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4768.jpg

refitting headers
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4769.jpg

back together, filling rad
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4771.jpg

whirlpool, weeeeeee
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4772.jpg

all done
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g152/millsi1978/IMG_4774.jpg


no problems on start up, new lifters took a while to pump up.
after checking the cooling system, went for a drive. was pinging pretty bad. (had the dizzy in the same spot as the old head), seems the new head might have had a bit more meat where we marked the dizzy. timing was advanced to about 25 lol. knocked it down to 12 ish, and then finally settled on 15 after a few drives.
car seems to be running fine, power seems to be similar, but the motor is definately quieter.

thanks to my mate dave for helping out.
took about 7 hrs in total to complete

great work..... does the diff head change comp ratios?

Great work!
Why is the M9 head better? (Curious)
And what did it cost all up?

The M9 has kidney/heart shaped chambers thus having higher compression. Should have alot more torque now.

nice job mate, might have been a good idea to clean the other two pistons???

thanks guys, not sure if the m9 changed comp that much, but maybe backing of the timing suggests it does. torque feels pretty similar, but then again i only really baby the car around to keep the fuel consumption down. a back to back dyno would have been best, but i dont have the time or money for something like that lol.
mate didnt think cleaning the pistons would make that much difference so just left them. the middle 2 were clean from leaking head gasket water injection:cool:
all up cost including the head, lifters, oil etc and labour at mates rates was $750, which is almost twice what i payed for the car. i dont mind as i plan on keeping it for a while, and need something reliable that i can tow the bikes around, and take the dogs in the back.

well took the dirtbikes out today on the trailer, seems to tow better than b4. will see how it goes when i tow 2 roadbikes to sydney on friday.

well took the dirtbikes out today on the trailer, seems to tow better than b4. will see how it goes when i tow 2 roadbikes to sydney on friday.


Yeah its when loaded you will feel the extra torque.... especially at low rpm:D

millsitp I have added a link of your post to TM-TP info posts for all members because it is so good with the pictures

cheers magna buff, happy to help out