mk2 16v head questions

[sporting wood]

I currently have a 1.8 16v mk2 on a D plate. The head is noisy as hell and I plan to refurb it but the car is also a daily driver so I can't have it off the road for over a weekend so I've decided to for the moment just slap a new head on her. Would a head from a 9a 2.0 16v be a direct replacement or would it not fit? If I'll have to mess around with manifolds, etc. I'd appreciate the info too.

Thanks guys

[Conker]

In terms of manifolds, the exhaust side can be a biatch, so i would get some pentrating fluid on the nuts ages in advance of doing the head. I would buy some decent ring spanners if you haven't already got them as they can be easier to get on the hidden bolts than a socket (they were on mine anyway).

When replacing them, use copper nuts (from GSF) and loads of copper grease to make it easier next time (a rubjonny tip there!!).

One point... a fully refurbed KR head is £410 from TSR. Might be worth a thought?

[sporting wood]

Thanks for the reply mate, yeah I've taken a manifold off before it can be fun, irwin bolt grips help with the job too. I saw the TSR head, it's tempting, my old mk2 had a 2.0 8v TSR lump in it; they're good engines.

Does anyone know if the 9a head will be a direct bolt on to the KR bottom end?