Hey friends,
I'm rebuilding the engine. 2001 X SE, 3.3L auto with 160k miles and a blown head gasket. I pulled out the cylinder heads and found this hole on the rear of the the driver side head. It looks almost like it was torn into place, but maybe it's just a gap from the original machining and its entirely normal. I don't know. Do you?
Well, the problem with that theory is those heads are not machined, they're casted; a whole other process. I have not yet torn down a 1st gen upper end that far and if you arent having any issues with a scored cam or seal leak issues I would say thats just a shitty cast in that valley. It may even allow an unnecessary amount of oil on that cam but thats logic speaking to me not any specific qualification.
If it were me, I'd talk to the engine builder from a local Nissan dealership or check in with a actual machine shop that specializes in import engine building. If you dont have anyone in your area, I could give you some contact suggestions of a couple in both areas for a valued opinion. If it in fact is a poor casting it may or may not be anything significant. If so, it could be helio-arc welded and sealed properly if it needed to be done. Would obviously require pulling that head.
Looks like that was from machining of the cam area and torn from below now that I keep looking at it.. Does the other side match it by chance or do you know?
