Hi guys, I'm looking at getting a bit of work done on the EL. I have been ringing around getting prices on head gasket replacment. The prices vary from $650 to $1500 but seem to all include the same things, replacement of gasket, eninge service (not sure what they are going to do here), radiator flush, all new oil and coolant etc. None of them will include head machining or replacement of valves, seal etc. Does this sound right? The local ford workshop is the dearest at $1500 and when I asked about putting a AU gasket and bolts back in the guy said that EL & AU are they same anyways. Is this correct? I have seen countless people on here say replace it with a AU gasket and not the stadard EL. Also can you please give me an idea as to what I should be getting done while they change it. I mean what are the basic thing they should include. Any feed back is appreciated.

If you go to ford and ask for an EA to EL head gasket, they'll supply you with an AU one.

yes the AU one fits

I heard they dont supply e-series gaskets anymore simply because they have been replaced with the AU gasket.

correct, they have been superceeded by the AU gasket - which fits EA-EL engines also.

YOu can save a stack if you do it yourself, the head replacement kit is only like $100, but if you don't have the time or don't want to, I can understand. But yeah, AU heads are cool.

Just make sure they replace with new head bolts (any respectable workshop should anyway.) If they try to re use the old ones, there'll be a high risk of them cracking and causing gasket leaks.

I fixed mine for $500...

gasket and bolts for $90, conversion to NZD + shipping = $130

head skim was $80

head chem clean and crack test +
porting was a box of beers from a hookup $20

cam regrind was $120

other head gasketss = $120