Cracked Block

for those with Series MM sidevalve cars produced between September 1948 and February 1953
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mike.perry
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Cracked Block

Post by mike.perry »

[frame]Image[/frame]
After having the occassional misfire on no.3 I decided to take the head off for a look. On removing the head gasket I found cracks from the central water passage between the centre head stud and the distributor drive hole, leading out to the exhaust valves on 2 and 3.
Questions :- What is the best remedy?
The water passage is redundant since it is covered by the head gasket and there is no corresponding passage in the head. It appears to be a relic of the Morris 8 or Vedette engines so could it therefore be welded over and the cracks stitch welded or something?
Any helpful comments please and any contacts who could carry out the necessary work?
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jagnut66
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by jagnut66 »

Hi,
Given that they're quite common and not that expensive it might be a simpler option to just replace it, there are usually plenty on eBay. I've posted a few links below, hope this is of some help.
Best wishes,
Mike.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMC-A-Series- ... 564bfa0d9f

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-Morr ... 2ec1ddbafa

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMC-A-Series- ... 1e725d7c38

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORRIS-MINOR- ... 51a18a922e

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor- ... 4d04f186ca
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels, now being sprayed by me, slowly......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
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mike.perry
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by mike.perry »

Those are all A Series engines, mine is a side valve.
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chrisryder
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by chrisryder »

jagnut66 wrote:Hi,
Given that they're quite common and not that expensive it might be a simpler option to just replace it, there are usually plenty on eBay. I've posted a few links below, hope this is of some help.
Best wishes,
Mike.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMC-A-Series- ... 564bfa0d9f

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-Morr ... 2ec1ddbafa

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMC-A-Series- ... 1e725d7c38

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORRIS-MINOR- ... 51a18a922e

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor- ... 4d04f186ca

...This is a sidevalve
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ian.mcdougall
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by ian.mcdougall »

Hi mike
I know squiggle had the same problem as well as me. mine only goes to the water passage, she had a stitch job done on hers. If you contact her she may be able to help. I got a spare engine and it has the same problem but not out to the valves as well. I also have a problem with the studs pulling out of the head when tightening down have heli-coiled three already

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rayofleamington
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by rayofleamington »

The crack to the head stud looks very similar to chrissie's and equally repairable - however the crack between the adjacent valve and (looks like there is one judging by the photo) is probably terminal. :(
Ray. MMOC#47368. Forum moderator.

Jan 06: The Minor SII Africa adventure: http://www.minor-detour.com
Oct 06: back from Dresden with my Trabant 601 Kombi
Jan 07: back from a month thru North Africa (via Timbuktu) in a S3 Landy
June 07 - back from Zwickau Trabi Treffen
Aug 07 & Aug 08 - back from the Lands End to Orkney in 71 pickup
Sept 2010 - finally gave up breaking down in a SII Landy...
where to break down next?
2013... managed to seize my 1275 just by driving it round the block :(
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smithskids
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by smithskids »

I have used Metalock on my steam roller in the past their head office is at Coventry address and contact on Google.Looks as though a fair bit of fretting has been going on as well, block skim when finished.
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ASL642
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by ASL642 »

Here you go Mike www.metalock.co.uk

Just off the M6

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jagnut66
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by jagnut66 »

Ooooops!! Sorry!! :oops:
Ah, well, you can always upgrade.......... :lol:
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels, now being sprayed by me, slowly......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1952 Morris Minor MM highlight with sidevalve engine still fitted, wants work, so joins the queue for now......
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ASL642
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by ASL642 »

1275cc?? :lol:

Lou Rocke
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mike.perry
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by mike.perry »

jagnut66 wrote:Ooooops!! Sorry!! :oops:
Ah, well, you can always upgrade.......... :lol:

SACRILEGE!!!!!!!!
Besides, I already have a 1275 Traveller
Last edited by mike.perry on Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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ASL642
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by ASL642 »

Thought you'd like the "suggestion" Mike! :lol:

Shame as YoungCamper posted a link about a week ago to a sidevalve engine on Ebay. Perhaps another one will surface soon.

Lou Rocke
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mike.perry
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by mike.perry »

Thanks for all your help, I have replaced the head so at least it is mobile and I shall be following up your suggestions
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Veitchy
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by Veitchy »

Mike, If you are going to get it stitched make sure you show it to someone who realy knows their stuff ! With a crack like that going right out to the cylinder it may need sleeving as well to stop it cracking down the cylinder wall, and if it does I think replacement block would be in order.
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mike.perry
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Re: Cracked Block

Post by mike.perry »

The block is sleeved and the valves have hardened inserts which I hope will limit the damage. The engine is running again.
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