1.6TD - Can I use this cylinder head?

[oblique]

Has been sitting on cardboard in a garage for years. No camshaft or holders. Some lifter tops were quite rusty. No visible damage or stripped threads.

https://imgur.com/a/ETLEV

[RunninWild]

Looks ok from the pics. Why are you questioning it? You need to clean up the bottom and inspect the precups for cracks. You should also measure the deck for warpage and inspect the valves/seats.

[oblique]

I'm told that its a risk to run a camshaft and holders that were not matched to the head? If i'm going to go ahead and take the risk I want to make sure this is a good unit otherwise. I really just dont know what to look for besides cracking between the valves.

[air-cooled or diesel]

its junk with out the cam saddles.
the saddles or holders as you say are matched to each head.
there *could* be a way around, but its a trip to a machine shop, with other unmatched saddles, and it doesnt mean they can get it to work.

[oblique]

Fair enough. How tight are the tolerances? I assume all camshafts are manufactured exactly the same, the deck height (saddle to head mating surface) are manufactured the same, that would leave the drilling of the holes in the saddles because they are likely drilled together.

If this is the case wouldnt the lobes journals align mismatched saddles to the head?

[vanbcguy]

The alignment of the cam bore to the head isn't consistent one head to another. Cam caps from a different head won't be aligned either side to side nor up and down.

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[RunninWild]

Cant you get sleeves and line bore new caps?

[oblique]

Does anyone have a spare cam and caps for sale? I would like to plastigauge the whole thing and see what happens and post the results here.

[RabbitJockey]

if you can get some caps that are close they can probably shave some height off the bottom then line bore them to make them all match, i'd be concerned about the seal carrier in the front. Id consult with a machine shop before making any moves, you're going to need them to help you anyway. Looks like a td head judging by the dimples in the prechambers

[vanbcguy]

Yes, a machine shop can shave and line bore caps to fit. Yes, the seal carrier at the front is something they need to deal with too.

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[libbydiesel]

Yes, as others have mentioned other caps can be used, but they will need to be machined to fit properly.  Swapping cams isn't any deal breaker.  I've swapped several without issue.  More importantly, your pics don't tell enough yet to determine if it's worth the hassle.  Clean all the carbon off the combustion faces and carefully inspect for cracks (other than small ones between the seats in each cyl - those are normal).  Buff each pre-chamber insert until it shines so that you can see if any of them are cracked.  Check for warpage.