B series Engine Head Gasket

Post by **rio678** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:37 pm

Hi everyone

My cylinder head gasket looks like it is on it's last legs! Now how difficult is it to change one of these on the B series Engines? (1622cc)

Is there any Guides ? and things i should make sure etc...

Hope someone can help

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:14 am

Is this in a Morris Minor ?

It's easy enough to do - but why do you think it is on it's last legs ?

Remove rocker cover, drain water and disconnect top hose, remove manifolds etc , loosen rocker gear nuts, loosen cylinder head nuts, remove rocker gear and push rods (keep the sequence), remove head nuts and lift off the head !!

You've got one hour - starting NOW!

Post by **plastic_orange** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:15 pm

It's as easy as a minor - easier in fact as there is no by pass hose to bother about. However, it is slightly heavier.

Pete

Post by **rio678** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:43 pm

Yep , customised moggie

Well there is oil floating about in the water and there seems to be a bit of pressure in there too.

When i got it there was alot of Gunk all around the rocker etc, but i thought at the time it was down to not been used alot. (old lady owned it)

Post by **rio678** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:16 pm

Okay, cylinder head is off! Had a fight with the thermostat housing which would not come off at all

had to buy a new one and cut saw it in two!

Anyways, getting to preparation stages and what can i use to clean the head up with? what is safe and best to use?

for the faces i am using wet and dry.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:12 pm

Careful!! You must keep it flat - wet/dry will allow you to rub little dips in the head surface. I use a simple scraper (set in Poundland) and if need be careful run a new flat fine file over the head - holding it absolutely flat down to the face. For the chambers and valve throats etc - wire brush in leccy drill (safety specs) - and to clean up the valves put them in leccy drill and hold old file then wet/dry against the spinning valve (gloves!). Some 'old lady' - with a 1622 Minor!!

Post by **plastic_orange** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:19 pm

Alternatively, get the head and valves bead blasted.

Pete

Post by **rio678** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:39 am

Well, cleaned her up both faces, put back together and quickly started. She did and ran much better(horrah!)

Going to have to drill out and coil a new thread for the thermostat housing (old one had sheared off)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:44 am

Aye - that's a common problem. Best to run drill through the stat housing bolt holes to 'ease' them slightly - and cover the bolts/studs with copper type grease (or even standard grease) when fitting the cover.