Cylinder Head Questions

[thetikm]

My AMB cylinder head cracked on cylinder 2 at 145k. Was able to find an AEB head at my friends junkyard for $200. He was asking $350, but I had bought 2 AWM heads from him and they were both bad. Is there any steps I should do when I put the new head on? Like change the oil or anything to prelube the head? I also had just done a timing belt service within 3,000 miles of the head cracking, is there anyway to reuse any of the old parts?

[Seerlah]

AEB intake manifold, amb cct, amb valve cover, and swap cam gears along with cam window. Plug necessary ports on intake manifold and I forget what is required for the fuel rail, if anything.

[refueler]

I had the same problem with my 2004 AMB head cracking. I found a good AWM head put in a new head gasket and timing components, then wrecked the car. I found a 2002 with a broken timing belt I used the head and timing components from the 2004 to repair the 2002. I've put about 1000 miles on it so far with no problems it runs great.

[redline380]

Don't use the AEB head. Too much work for you and you cannot retain SAI, meaning you will not pass emissions.

[Seerlah]

Forgot about that one. The aeb head on the 06a block is not a direct swap. It is actually a modification.

[redline380]

The aeb head on the 06a block is not a direct swap. It is actually a modification.

It is direct enough, but not bolt up by any means.

OP is best off with any other small port head, as stated.

[thetikm]

Thanks for the help guys. What about reusing timing components like the tensioner?

[redline380]

If it only has 3k on it, go for it. I'd reuse everything.

And when you put the hydraulic tensioner piston back in, go slowly like you would with a brake piston. I made the mistake of pulling the pin before I changed out the water pump when I did the job a couple weeks ago. I got really excited lol