THe head gasket mk3

[Gr4H4m]

Well it stripped again. The old head gasket came off easy, all of the water ways have pink stain around the re-enforced rings??? The oil ways look like they were ok ~(They dont appear to have the re-enforced rings) Looking at the rings they seem to be lower than the rest of the gasket material like the gasket hasn't crushed and therefore hasn't sealed. I would have expected these to stand above the rest of the gasket to help seal?

I could only get a gasket from the local auto factor and they only have a fibre version, this one doesn't have these re-enforced rings? except around the bores. I'm not sure if I should use the new one?

I have checked the head and the block with a steel rule and its not perfect but I can't imagine the gap its so small you can hardly see it I would have thought its within the machines tolerance?

[TONYELF]

Which motor factor was it Gr4h4m? I find Quality Factor behind Staples (office supplies) Sealand road good and reasonably priced (£23 for battery for studio)

[TONYELF]

Forgot to ask about torque wrench. Do you think mine might be inaccurate at all? (should be ok as no one else has had any probs with it) I'll scrap it if it is faulty

[Gr4H4m]

well another 8 or so hours being very careful with every step.... the new gasket is on the car and everthing is back together. I have started it up, it sounds like the tappets need some attention and I now think the exhaust gasket is leaking.

I'm not sure if M&M's will have one tomorrow? also time will tell if its leaking..

I must admit I'm getting sick of taking the carbs off.

[Gr4H4m]

Which motor factor was it Gr4h4m? I find Quality Factor behind Staples (office supplies) Sealand road good and reasonably priced (£23 for battery for studio)

Yep thats the one. Don't worry about the torque wrench, I have invested in my own :) I have had some serious use for one over the last few weeks:)

I would think was user error rather than the tools, the only thing I have noticed is that mine does make a very loud click? When I fitted the first gasket I used a wrench from a guy at work and that gasket leaked so I don't think it was yours.

I will have to wait to see what happens tomorrow.:confused:

[TONYELF]

Thanks for that.Only too pleased to help out.Don't just use it on your head though. I've stripped and snapped a few bolts in my time and I always use it on the wheel nuts, particularly on my caravan.... Can't be too careful there. A good workshop manual such as Heynes always give the torque settings so no excuses now have I? :D

[Deano]

Hello Graham im doing the head on Alfie`s at the moment took it off last night and sure as it had blown between 3&4 on closer inspection the head seems to be in a banana shape so it off to Aw engine`shttp://www.miniaddicts.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=509 for a skim and we are on a road trip to M&m`s later on today for all the gaskets etc:)

[Gr4H4m]

I hope your installation goes well. You seem to be a bit faster than me, but I was being extra careful.
I'm going to the Quality Factor in Chester to get an exhaust gasket hopefully it will seal the exhaust back up I also need to check the tappets again, I'm not sure if it was then sounding out of the exhaust patting noise if you know what I mean.

I have been out this morning and....

[Gr4H4m]

its not leaking at the mo.... was going to go to M&M's but I spent the whole of yeaterday in the garage and I might end up spending more that I should :rolleyes: on a set of shiny new wheels mmmmm wheels....

[Deano]

Got the head off in 15 mins been to see A.W engines he`s sorted the head out for us and have got a gasket set. but im out the garage for today i want to spend some time with my ikle monkey oh and the baby lol:) so half an hour tomorow morning and alfie should be terrorising the tarmac again:rolleyes:

[Gr4H4m]

Got the head off in 15 mins been to see A.W engines he`s sorted the head out for us and have got a gasket set. but im out the garage for today i want to spend some time with my ikle monkey oh and the baby lol:) so half an hour tomorow morning and alfie should be terrorising the tarmac again:rolleyes:

15 mins..... bleeping hell....I should have come around for a master class.

[Gr4H4m]

Right I have swapped the exhaust gasket, the old one was blowing from the center section. I have re-adjusted the tappets to 12 thou and let it run to norm temp... so far no leaks but I will need to check it and take it for a run tomorrow.


What I have changed this time:

- When removing the head I release all of the pressure from the rocker gear using the adjusters, before removing the head.

- cleaned all of the surfaces with meths, then wet and dry paper.

- Used a different torque wrench. (I think I might have been reading Tonys wrong?)

- Check the block with a steel rule and the head

- I used the old skool head torquing order instead of the one in the Haynes manual. (this was the one my Granddad said to use and was also printed on the gasket instructions) as before to 1/2 lbft then full lbft using 25 lbft then 50lbft as I was using the new studs. (the old type studs that where made with my car are a lot less rated)

New configuration

---6------2----- 4------8

7-----3------1------5------9 Rad on this side


Before I had used

---6------2------3------7

9-----5------1------4------8 Rad on this side


So maybe this did the trick?

[charlie_mini]

fingers crossed this is all sorted for you mate, we'll all be trying to keep up with you on sunday!! :D

[Gr4H4m]

fingers crossed this is all sorted for you mate, we'll all be trying to keep up with you on sunday!! :D

Thanks Mate yep I hope is cool for all of us... And I would like to thank my wife for putting up with my face for the last few days.:D

[Deano]

Right I have swapped the exhaust gasket, the old one was blowing from the center section. I have re-adjusted the tappets to 12 thou and let it run to norm temp... so far no leaks but I will need to check it and take it for a run tomorrow.


What I have changed this time:

- When removing the head I release all of the pressure from the rocker gear using the adjusters, before removing the head.

- cleaned all of the surfaces with meths, then wet and dry paper.

- Used a different torque wrench. (I think I might have been reading Tonys wrong?)

- Check the block with a steel rule and the head

- I used the old skool head torquing order instead of the one in the Haynes manual. (this was the one my Granddad said to use and was also printed on the gasket instructions) as before to 1/2 lbft then full lbft using 25 lbft then 50lbft as I was using the new studs. (the old type studs that where made with my car are a lot less rated)

New configuration

---6------2----- 4------8

7-----3------1------5------9 Rad on this side


Before I had used

---6------2------3------7

9-----5------1------4------8 Rad on this side


So maybe this did the trick?

Good stuff mate the head tightening confiq is good both ways but what allot of peeps dont undo the in order which can cause just as much damage but good old cast mini heads take some warping:) My fingers are crossed for you mate

[Gr4H4m]

Good stuff mate the head tightening confiq is good both ways but what allot of peeps dont undo the in order which can cause just as much damage but good old cast mini heads take some warping:) My fingers are crossed for you mate

Dean is it undo in order or reverse order? I did reverse order? But I think it was the rockers that did the trick I think they were giving too much pressure on the springs as the are double, and then the front wouldn't tighten down straight. (The springs were pulling the front up, I think this makes sense)

[Deano]

yep spot on mate its allways good practice to back the rockers off as when fitting a new skimed head you could bend the pushrods if not:eek:

[TONYELF]

Oh yes, you DON'T want to bend your push rod whatever you do ! LOL

[Gr4H4m]

no thanks :o

[Deano]

Some pics of Alf`s head gasket

Note the gap !
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/DEANOJONES/MINI/alfiesheadgaskey005.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/DEANOJONES/MINI/alfiesheadgaskey001.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/DEANOJONES/MINI/alfiesheadgaskey002.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/DEANOJONES/MINI/alfiesheadgaskey004.jpg

[Gr4H4m]

did you video it for a how to guide....:D I took some video but I don't know how its come out. I might not be the best person to follow head gasket instructions...

[Gr4H4m]

Took it for a run today into Chester and then out on the fast A roads.. seems to run well and so far no leaks. yippeeeeeeeee.

Lost the key to the petrol cap.. luck I found the spare.. going to build the loom tonight for the CB and get an aerial on the way home from work if the Lymm suse is still working.

[markrally73]

Great news mate, My fingers and toes are crossed for youhttp://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/icons/clap.gif

Cheers

[Deano]

Fantastic news mate. I will ave me c.b in too i didnt film it was going to but still not to sure on the ediding etc but watch this space:)

[Gr4H4m]

Fantastic news mate. I will ave me c.b in too i didnt film it was going to but still not to sure on the ediding etc but watch this space:)

Can show you how I do mine... not that I'm an expert.

[Deano]

ok mate that would be great:)

[Gr4H4m]

ok mate that would be great:)


no probs you can pop round and I can show you on my P.C

[supadupacupa]

So I gather it's running well now then?

[Gr4H4m]

mm. not too bad has a bit of a flat spot at first which is a pain. I don't know if I should take it back to the RR or just use a different one... Not going to touch it until after the run on Sun.

[supadupacupa]

Check your dashpot levels and try changing the oil thickness in them. Often that makes a difference and is easily overlooked.

Are you using K&N's or the original twin filter box?.

In the winter, cold air in free flow filters can produce this.

[Gr4H4m]

Check your dashpot levels and try changing the oil thickness in them. Often that makes a difference and is easily overlooked.

Are you using K&N's or the original twin filter box?.

In the winter, cold air in free flow filters can produce this.


Will do I was using thin 3 in 1 oil as I used it in the single and it was great. I'm using ram flow filters which are like sponge dome would you use thicker oil? I was told about someone using ATF oil?

Thanks for the help

[supadupacupa]

I'd look at starting with standard motor oil, 20/50's or the like. I would think 3/1 is a little thin now.

Give it a go.

You could go thicker until you see the difference, I've never gone down the route as far as ATF, that's fairly thick stuff.

It all pins down to how worn the piston plundgers are, the more worn the less damping the provide. New or good plundgers are always a idea. The drop test with the same oil level/type will show if they are evenly matched. Its just a matter of damping it more until the flat spot decrease's.

Oh, and the oil level does disappear over a period of time.

[Gr4H4m]

I'd look at starting with standard motor oil, 20/50's or the like. I would think 3/1 is a little thin now.

Give it a go.

You could go thicker until you see the difference, I've never gone down the route as far as ATF, that's fairly thick stuff.

It all pins down to how worn the piston plundgers are, the more worn the less damping the provide. New or good plundgers are always a idea. The drop test with the same oil level/type will show if they are evenly matched. Its just a matter of damping it more until the flat spot decrease's.

Oh, and the oil level does disappear over a period of time.

Cheers mate I will try some 20/50

[Gr4H4m]

well I have changed the oil in the dashpots to 20/50 ready for the run on Sunday... I hoping it will sort the flat spot :)

[redmini]

well I have changed the oil in the dashpots to 20/50 ready for the run on Sunday... I hoping it will sort the flat spot :)

My dad had mini's when he was younger and used to tune them to bits, he had a downton conversion at one point.Anyway the point of my post, he's always told me to use the same oil in my dash pot as what I put in my engine and it's always worked for me (I'm on mini number 7 I think)

[Gr4H4m]

My dad had mini's when he was younger and used to tune them to bits, he had a downton conversion at one point.Anyway the point of my post, he's always told me to use the same oil in my dash pot as what I put in my engine and it's always worked for me (I'm on mini number 7 I think)

I had allways used 3in1 on the 1.25 single, but I have put 20 50 in the twins and they work much better now..:cool: