Cylinder Head Nuts

[myoldjalopy]

OK I have re-tapped the thread in the block and now the brass drain tips screws in nicely - many thanks for that tip, Phil.
Although there still seems to be a hard blockage at then back of the hole - maybe the stud 'plug' had broken off at some point and the remains of it are in there still? Thinking maybe leave it alone and stick the drain tap in anyway as extra security against a leak....
So, all is ready to put back together. Yes, I will grease the head gasket, but should I also grease the others (manifold, heater tap and thermostat. Oh and rocker cover gasket)?
Thanks....

[oliver90owner]

Yes, I will grease the head gasket, 

Do follow the gasket supplier's instructions. They are likely not the same as the original gaskets. Some modern ones are not greased.

Rocker gaskets are often 'glued' to one surface (a little gasket sealant) so tappets are easily checked without the risk of leaks from a deformed gasket if (as often done) a new gasket is not always used.

RAB

[bmcecosse]

Well done !

[myoldjalopy]

[quote="oliver90owner"]
Do follow the gasket supplier's instructions. They are likely not the same as the original gaskets. Some modern ones are not greased.

Um, there aren't any instructions. However, I think, on reflection, grease the head gasket, the water pump and heater tap gaskets but not the manifold gasket. I will try the trick of 'gluing' the rocker cover gasket to the cover and greasing the underside. Thank you guys

[bmcecosse]

Yes- glue the rocker gasket to the cover. Only 'grease' the copper/steel head gasket... If it's made of 'cardboard' don't bother....

[myoldjalopy]

OK, the head is back on, the push rods in and the rocker assembly on. However, I can't get the rocker pedestals to sit properly on the head - best I can get it, from turning the engine over by pulling the fan belt is about a 1mm gap beneath each pedestal. Can I assume it will all sit properly once the nuts are pulled up correctly?

[oliver90owner]

IF the adjusters are backed out completely, it should sit down without nuts, but remember there should be some valves open or part open and the valve springs will be holding them closed until you force them open as you tighten it down if the adjusters are not fully loosened.. That is one reason for tightening the nuts evenly. Even if fully backed off, there is still good reason for final tightening from the centre outwards, just like the cylinder head.

RAB

Edited to add that I would never go to great lengths to get the tappet clearances correct until the engine has been run until hot and the head fixings retorqued to specification.

[myoldjalopy]

Yes, that thought did come to me out on my bike this afternoon, but thank you for confirming what I had hoped.
I shall slacken off all the adjustment screws, tighten the head and the rocker set down as you describe, and then set the valve clearances.

[bmcecosse]

Tighten the rocker nuts down AFTER torquing up all the head nuts (44 ft lbf) - the smaller rocker nuts of course are only 25 ft lbf. Roughly set the gaps - then run the engine till the thermostat opens. Let it cool down - but not necessarily completely cold - and then retorque all the nuts and finally set the valve gaps. Job done !

[oliver90owner]

I'm not sure about cooling it down before retorquing the head bolts on this engine, but the usual was torque hot for cast iron heads and completely cold for aluminium ones.

I note there seem to be no directions in the manuals for retorquing the head bolts. An omission, in my view, particularly if the compression ratio has been raised. The only heads I would not retorque would be those with yield-point bolts.

RAB

[bmcecosse]

I've always allowed it to cool - then retorqued. Then never go back to it....

[myoldjalopy]

Aaaargh! Disaster, disaster, DISASTER!!

Everything going swimmingly until I tried to tighten the 25lb ft nuts that hold the rocker gear to the head - and three of the nuts wouldn't tighten. So I took them off to take a look and they were stripped. The studs didn't look too great on closer inspection, the back one even looked a bit bent (I wondered why the rocker gear didn't come off and go back on that easily). I can only think that whover last tightened them up, overtightened them (probably the same cretinous ape that rammed a stud up the drain hole )

That's the biggest drawback with old cars - over many decades, plenty of ham-fisted morons have had more than ample time to do bodge jobs which store up trouble for future (more caring) owners.

Majorly hacked off. So I am now going to go outside and shoot myself...........if I survive the shooting, I guess I will order new studs and nuts, get the old studs out and start again.

[don58van]

Well, I hope you are a very bad shot. Your Minor needs you. Who will get him/her back to fine fettle if you don't????

Rectifying the ravages of time and poor workpersonship is part and parcel of being a carer for a classic. Think of the the great satisfaction you will have when the engine runs better than new.

Don

[bmcecosse]

Oh dear - at one time I had loads of these studs, and the nuts are nothing special. But I think all given away in my clear out. I'm at hospital all morning - but i'll have a look for you later in the pm.

[myoldjalopy]

Hi Don,
Yes, not the best aim - nothing to report but a grazed temple and a slight headache Thanks for your encouragement. And Roy, many thanks for your kind offer, but I have now ordered the parts as, having survived the shooting, it seems God has decreed that I should persevere with this task. Unfortunately I won't be able to get back to the car until Tuesday but will let you know what happens next!
Cheers,
Pete

[bmcecosse]

Spend no money - I found a set for you. PM me your address and they are yours foc. Roy

[myoldjalopy]

Thanks Roy - pm sent as well!

[bmcecosse]

The stripping of these threads is one of the reasons why the head nuts should be pulled down first - THEN the rocker nuts. Hope you have better success from now on!

[myoldjalopy]

Meur ras (thank you)...I hope so too!

[myoldjalopy]

At last! She lives! Fired up first time too......
So thank you all for your various help, advice, comments etc. What should have been an easy job turned out to be a bit of a nightmare, but we've all experienced that scenario at some point, I guess.
Pete