1843 replies to this topic

[Mini Waco]

I thank you, because I for one, am able to learn from this thread before the work on my mini is actually performed and parts ordered. I will stay in tune with great interest…

[Petrol]

There's a lot more epic fails to come I'm afraid.

What do you guys think of the head gasket. I'd appreciate some thoughts.

Thanks
Pete

[sonscar]

Looks like it has leaked between cylinders and waterways to my unschooled eye.I hate copper gaskets(lots of others love them)Steve..
PS looks like block will need decking,looks burned between three and four.

Edited by sonscar, 04 November 2021 - 05:44 PM.

[Steve220]

There's a lot more epic fails to come I'm afraid.

What do you guys think of the head gasket. I'd appreciate some thoughts.


Thanks
Pete

Hi Pete, nothing shouting out, however go with a composite gasket next time. Copper gaskets are terrible

[GraemeC]

Looks like it may not have sealed well between 1&2 and 3&4. 

Copper gaskets need very flat surfaces with the right surface finish - composite are much more forgiving, the Victor Reinz ones seem to perform particularly well.

 

Waterways also look to have a lot of gunk in them?

[Petrol]

I paid Minisport to have the block acid dipped to remove any rust in the waterways. There was a lot of rust deposit in the radiator and heater matrix both of which were new.
The block was decked and the cylinder head was skimmed before assembly.
It's done 1200 miles since it was built
I'll post some more pics up later but see if anyone else has any comments.

Pete

Edited by Petrol, 04 November 2021 - 11:02 PM.

[samforsey12345]

Doesn't look much wrong with head gasket. Quite a lot of carbon deposits for low mileage, running rich? 

Edited by samforsey12345, 05 November 2021 - 06:04 PM.

[ads7]

Looks like it may not have sealed well between 1&2 and 3&4.
Copper gaskets need very flat surfaces with the right surface finish - composite are much more forgiving, the Victor Reinz ones seem to perform particularly well.

Waterways also look to have a lot of gunk in them?

Yes Victor Reinz gaskets are absolutely the ones to use in my experience

[Mini Manannán]

Looks like it may not have sealed well between 1&2 and 3&4. 

Copper gaskets need very flat surfaces with the right surface finish - composite are much more forgiving, the Victor Reinz ones seem to perform particularly well.

 

Waterways also look to have a lot of gunk in them?

 

 

 

Looks like it may not have sealed well between 1&2 and 3&4.
Copper gaskets need very flat surfaces with the right surface finish - composite are much more forgiving, the Victor Reinz ones seem to perform particularly well.

Waterways also look to have a lot of gunk in them?

Yes Victor Reinz gaskets are absolutely the ones to use in my experience

Have you fellas a link to Victor Reinz HGs in the UK? 

[GraemeC]

 

Have you fellas a link to Victor Reinz HGs in the UK? 

 

 

Never bought one personally, but:

https://www.ebay.co....msAAOSwutZeYPej

https://www.amazon.c...d/dp/B00H8VJAZK

https://www.diycarse...ctor-reinz.html

Edited by GraemeC, 08 November 2021 - 02:14 PM.

[ads7]

I paid £12.50 for a Reinz gasket on ebay. Still available now at this price.

https://www.ebay.co....0-127635-2958-0

[Blake71]

What a cracking thread and build. Stick in fella, you'll crack it.

[Petrol]

Thanks guys.
I've bought a Reinz head gasket. I agree that copper is antequated technology and have my doubts about the gasket supplied by Retro Minis. Both the block and cylinder head are undamaged and it looks to me like the head gasket de laminated. They can't make things like they used to and maybe the quality of the copper is not what it should be. Things move on though and a composite gasket is the way to go.

 

 

 

I have stripped the gearbox which again was assembled by Retro Minis. The mainshaft had no shim in it and the baulk rings are hitting the gears.

 

 

This could be due to the baulk rings failing or being oval. There is a possibility however that the seat the baulk ring mates to on the gears, has been cut at the wrong angle.

Quite a bit of the moly from the pot joints ended up in the bottom of the gearbox

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've cleaning the top of the pistons and block up with WD 40 to dissolve the carbon.
Got the head soaking in oil

 

Progress is slow but I want to be 100% sure everything is spot on.

Pete

Edited by Petrol, 12 November 2021 - 05:44 PM.

[GraemeC]

If the baulk rings were oval they’d not close the gap up, just have insufficient contact (not 360 degrees) and hence would slip.
It’s unlikely the gears are cut wrong (although not impossible), more likely that either the baulk rings have worn heavily or there’s no friction coating left on the gear.

[Petrol]

If the baulk rings were oval they’d not close the gap up, just have insufficient contact (not 360 degrees) and hence would slip.
It’s unlikely the gears are cut wrong (although not impossible), more likely that either the baulk rings have worn heavily or there’s no friction coating left on the gear.

The gear kit was brand new old stock. Allegedly a Jack Knight set. I've been told however that the last of the jack Knight gear kits were poorly made.
I'll get a set of baulk rings and see how they fit on the gears
Thanks

 

Pete

Edited by Petrol, 12 November 2021 - 06:45 PM.