Hi,
Well having finally got my gearbox back from being rebuilt, three weeks after (despite daily promises during week two that 'it will be ready today'.... !!) it lunched its internals on the way back from Lincolnshire, I refitted it, put my engine and interior back together, guess what....................
Yes, she decided that she wanted her head gasket replaced as well................
So having dug out my spare gaskets I find I have two.........
One is the copper type and the other a later BL replacement (according to the packet it's in), which looks like some sort of composite material, black in colour with metal edging around the piston holes.
Having used copper ones up to now I was wondering whether this later type may have better longevity??
So at this point I'd like to throw open the floor to comments / the past experience of others.......
Your advice is greatly appreciated and so many thanks in advance for your thoughts on this matter.
I should for the record at this point state that this is fitting onto a 1275cc ex-midget engine, although 1098cc experience will be just as relevant.
Best wishes,
Mike.
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......
But seriously, are these black head gaskets to be avoided then. Were they a disaster in the 1970's / 1980's, when I presume they were commonly in use?
If so I'm better off with a spare copper one.
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......
Not really - we certainly NEVER used the cornflake gaskets for any high performance engine. The one you have will be fine as a spare - because as long as you HAVE a spare in the car, there won't be any problem with the gasket on the engine !
Last edited by bmcecosse on Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Copper it is then, thanks for your advice on this.
The main thing I shall have to careful of is not to accidentally bend any of the push rods, as they seem to be like 'hens teeth' to get hold of for a 1275 midget unit! I've got some on order now, with Brown & Gammons but as always they are not actually in stock......
Best wishes,
Mike.
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......
Why would they be like 'hen's teeth'??? They are no different to any other 1275 push rod - although there are a few minor (no pun..) variations - they all do the same job. Just a bit longer than 'small bore' push rods. I have a bundle of them......... And in any case - why would there be any risk of bending them?????
I've never been able to get hold of any until now...............
The reason I'm wary of bending them is that the last time I had the head off they came with it......
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......
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......
!!) it lunched its internals on the way back from Lincolnshire, I refitted it, put my engine and interior back together, guess what....................
