27 replies to this topic

[paulrockliffe]

Can I do this?  Would make getting the carb/exhaust off much easier as they're very close to the bulkhead.  If so - What bolts do I need?

 

Thanks!

[Icey]

Would make getting the carb/exhaust off much easier

 

....but would make getting them back on again a complete pain as you'd have to hold it all in place while trying to get a bolt started in the thread.

[Avtovaz]

also stops the head wearing... copper nuts also dont back off as easily

[Cooperman]

I always use bolts rather than the studs. With the Cooper /Cooper 'S' it means it is possible to change the head gasket very easily without undoing the exhaust and without removing the carb connections.

The bolts, well screws really, are 5/16" UNF x 1.25" long hexagon screws (i.e.: full thread length).

[Northernpower]

Plus one on using bolts. I find it so much easier and providing they are the correct length the head won't suffer, it not like they're alloy.

[Avtovaz]

if you two say that ill put fasteners in the head of my car.

 

The only other thing i would say, make sure you line it up wll and not cross thread,...

[Northernpower]

if you two say that ill put fasteners in the head of my car.
 
The only other thing i would say, make sure you line it up wll and not cross thread,...

What do you mean by fasteners?

[Avtovaz]

fasteners, like bolt, set bolt, hex or what ever fits the job, something with a head that can be tightened, with an amount of thread?

 

 

Like if you work at a company that used bolts, and your store man is kin anoying. ;)))))))))))))))))))))

[Cooperman]

We started doing this on rally cars which needed to be easy to service. to change a head gasket on a Cooper 'S' with studs in the head meant having to remove the LCB manifold, the exhaust pipe, the air cleaners (to get the carbs to move well back and to undo the top engine steady.

With bolts all that is needed is to remove the bolts, push the ex. manifold back about 1/8" and the carbs about 1/4" (to clear the locating rings or the location studs), undo the heater hose and hose from the thermostat housing to the rad, then take off the rocker cover and undo the head.

3 well-trained mechanics can do a head gasket in about 3/4 of an hour using bolts, which means it can be changed at a service point on a major rally, especialy if the correct 1/4" sq. drive socket and extension is used to undo those bolts.

Edited by Cooperman, 08 September 2017 - 11:19 PM.

[paulrockliffe]

Great thanks! Should there be locating rings fitted? There wasn't any on either the exhaust or the carb.

Cheers.

[Cooperman]

Location rings are only fitted on the twin carb Cooper & S to ensure accurate alloy manifold alignment.
On my S which has the manifold and head opened out I have two short location pins made from cut down gear linkage roll pins.

[sledgehammer]

use studs on outer , with a slot in them to unscrew 

 

bolts / screws on the inner

 

make sure bolts are short enough & don't bottom out before pinching the manifolds , otherwise snap

[Northernpower]

For the amount of times it's going to be removed I use bolts/screws on them all, as I said before it's not as if it's alloy.

[paulrockliffe]

Location rings are only fitted on the twin carb Cooper & S to ensure accurate alloy manifold alignment.
On my S which has the manifold and head opened out I have two short location pins made from cut down gear linkage roll pins.

 

Nice one thanks!  

 

Just sawed the old rusty exhaust off, so just waiting for the new bits to arrive now....

[nicklouse]

 

Location rings are only fitted on the twin carb Cooper & S to ensure accurate alloy manifold alignment.
On my S which has the manifold and head opened out I have two short location pins made from cut down gear linkage roll pins.

 

Nice one thanks!  

 

Just sawed the old rusty exhaust off, so just waiting for the new bits to arrive now....

 

also fitted to Standard engines to do the same as above. note the word STANDARD, heads and manifolds that have been worked on normally lose the ability to use the rings. these are often pinned with "dowels" big jog to get right.

 

using bolts instead of nuts requires an accurately made manifold both of them so you dont need to fiddle about getting them to sit right. and if on a single SU you will be working blind.

 

i dont see this an easy option.