Really not looking forward to pulling a head off ... >.< ... haven't even been able to find a replacement rev1 3sgte head. Mind you I can't say I've looked very hard yet either.
 
Don't suppose anyone has one laying around, that would be able to be purchased.
 
Could possibly do some swapping... I have a complete 3sge under the house, and an E153 in pieces (minus diff).

Here are some spare 3sgte bits for sale. In NSW though.
 
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sydney-city/engine-engine-parts-transmission/3sgte-engine-head-parts-sydney/1017702332
 
You might just need to skim the head surface and pop a new head gasket on.

Nice link, sent an email to find out what revision the engine is from, and what kind of price he is chasing.

I was looking at this one point:
http://liquidintelligence115.com.au/products/blown-head-gasket-repair
 
As they say, worst thing that could happen is you spent $100

Anyone in Brisbane area used Murray Walker cylinder heads before? ... had a chat to them today after dropping a rally Evo off to a performance shop next door, the guys inside the shop said to have a chat to him...
 
Considering he has a few 3sgte heads in there, and seemed rather knowledgeable ... was wondering if anyone here has used them before, and if so ... how was the work?
 
Was wondering as the rough price he quoted me was "too good to be true" ... being on the very low end for a recondition, however this was very vague, and without seeing the head itself.

Any chance you want to share this 'too good to be true quote'? Just for interest sake?  Did he say much about the 3s heads he's been working on and what sorta work is being done to them?

for a common recondition (inc pressure test) was $300 ... cheap as I figure ... but $1500 for port n polish also ... that part seemed pricey to me.. so was thinking about grabbing some cams.. and possibly giving him the work.. also looking at water injection.
 
Might also add that was an unseen quote ... and nothing on paper ... just talking round figures.

"A common recondition for $300"
 
A couple of years ago I had a 'common recondition' of a 3SGE head reco that cost about $600 (dealing directly with the machine shop)
It involved a crack test, gasket surface dressed, new valve guides, seals, and valves lapped.
I thought the cost was reasonable for the work involved.
 
 

Check oil cooler/heater yet that was the problem with mine

I have been there and done that. Changed the thermostat, radiator cap, bled the cooling system. No loss of water or any exchange between the oil & water
I did a compression test and a leak down test. Car ran fine other than overheating when you got stuck into it.
 
The answer........................The head was warped yet this was not revealed by the tests undertaken. This took 12 months to resolve.
 
I didn't think this was possible given the engine had been rebuilt in the last 12 months. One of the thermo fans was not kicking in properly.
 
Lots of luck