1843 replies to this topic

[Petrol]

I'm about to fit the cylinder head using this head stud and nut kit

http://minispares.co...c/C-AHT280.aspx

I'm confused where these 2 small washers go

 

Instructions state...... The 5 larger washers go on the 5 short front studs and the 2 smaller washers go on the short studs at the ends of the rocker cover. No washers on the long head studs.

Can anyone help?
Thanks for looking

Pete

 

[alex-95]

Are they for the extra 2 studs of the 11 stud heads?

 

Excellent work on the rebuild, a shame that it had to be done though! 

[Midas Mk1]

I’m sure there was bad press on those head bolts, surely if your going to effort it’s arp all the way?

[Petrol]

Are they for the extra 2 studs of the 11 stud heads?

 

Excellent work on the rebuild, a shame that it had to be done though! 

 

I think your right. Yeah it's a shame all this happened but there was a lot wrong with it

I’m sure there was bad press on those head bolts, surely if your going to effort it’s arp all the way?

 

I wasn't aware of that. I have also no idea why the head gasket went. The head was skimmed and the block was decked. Both surfaces were cleaned with panel wipe to degrease them and the head was torqued down in 3 stages.
I think ARP is a good shout. I've ordered some


This time I will run the engine for 30 seconds without coolant and re torque the head. I've got a Victor Reinx composite gasket.

Thanks for the feedback.

Pete

Edited by Petrol, 06 February 2022 - 09:07 PM.

[Petrol]

ARP head studs

 

Block face cleaned

 

 

 

Head face cleaned

 

 

 

Composite gasket

 

 

 

Head and block will be degreased with panel wipe before assembly
Nuts will be torqued in many stages

I've read so many head gaskets failing after being fitted
What more can I do?

All suggestions / comments welcome

Thanks for looking

Pete

 

 

 

[evoderby]

Keith Calver recommends Victor Reinz headgasket coated in Loctite 3020 on both sides as “the”and “the only” setup to use on small bore engines like yours.

 

https://www.facebook.com/calverstl

[evoderby]

Nice job you’re doing on the rebuild by the way…..it is always shocking to see how little pride some so called professionals put into their work. 
 

[Petrol]

Thanks evoderby, I've ordered some Loctite 3020.

Your right . Some are not interested in doing a decent job. It's all about money.
I'm also convinced that some suppliers are selling classic car parts, knowing full well they will be out of warranty by the time the car hits the road.

 

Pete

[timmy850]

With the head gasket, don’t use coolant for the first few heat cycles. Just use water as it tends not to seep under the gasket (it’s also good for checking for leaks and not wasting coolant).

[Petrol]

Thanks timmy850


Trying to think positive here and maybe all these engine / gearbox related problems were meant to be.
I'm doing a lot of modifications that will hopefully make this car much better when it's finished. All the niggles I had will hopefully be resolved.

I'm waiting for the Loctite 3020 to put the cylinder head on but in the meantime.......


This shell is an Mpi, there is no hole in the bulkhead and I need a bit more clearance for the carb.

 

 

 

 

 

I also want to move the engine forwards a bit to give more ground clearance for the exhaust so I'm using adjustable engine mounts.
The top NS one I had was from Minisport. It fouled the coolant hoses so I've bought this

New mount on the bulkhead but the downside is the tappet chest breather fouls. I've got a plan to sort this

 

 

Conventional engine mount will be replaced with this

I also need to sort the clutch breather. That one is work in progress....


Minisport stering rack is going in the bin to be replaced with this

 

Minispares one which is masked up ready for paint

Along with Minispares pot joints

 

 

 

I'll be using this paint

 

 

 

Pete

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KTS]

one thing to check before painting the pot joints is that they will fit the diff side covers - the shafts on mine were oversize and needed grinding to fit

[GraemeC]

I'd strongly recommend the evo tie-bar bushes:

http://www.minispare...20.aspx|Back to

[alex-95]

one thing to check before painting the pot joints is that they will fit the diff side covers - the shafts on mine were oversize and needed grinding to fit

+1 on this, I found this out the hard way with original bushed covers. I measure the pot joints and bore new bushes out to 1 thou clearance on a Lathe. Some of the pot joints aren't even concentric to the splines inside, so can bind up on the diff cover. 

[Petrol]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it

Pot joints checked..... and checked for eccentricity

Small paint run, not easy in winter

I'll get some of those bushes GraemC, thanks.

Next up is to get the head on and check the cam timing at the valve

Again thanks for the heads up on everything. I really appreciate it

 

Pete

 

 

 

 

[Petrol]

Head face degreased

Same with block

 

 

 

 

Head gasket sprayed with Loctite 3020

 

 

 

 

Left to dry for 10 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Head bolts and washers greased befor torquing up

 

 

 

 

Pete