Where have my circlips gone?

[swampy42]

Just wondering if my engine should have the circlips that hold the collets in place at the top of the valve stem? It's a 1098cc. They weren't there before I started the job, but the workshop manual implies that they should, but maybe I've misread it.
Cheers
Russ

[MarkyB]

It is very normal for them to be thrown away, they serve no useful purpose

[aupickup]

if you desperately need some let me know by pm

[swampy42]

That's a very kind offer, but as long as they serve no real purpose then I'm happy to do without them.
Anything else serve no real purpose? cos I could do with making her as light as poss.

Thanks for your replies.
Russ

[les]

Ask Roy, he has a list!

[MarkyB]

He also has a list of heavy spares that he carries around as good luck charms

[swampy42]

This hardly warrants a new post, but completely off-topic. One of the brass plugs in the head is standing proud by about 1mm. Is this a problem? or can I assume because it's been OK for the last 40 years, it will continue to be OK?
Cheers
Russ

[bmcecosse]

Hmmm not good ! I'm guessing it must be held there by the gasket - and against the block when torqued down... I would try to very gently tap it back in place - use a bit of wood as a 'drift'...and if it doesn't easily move - leave well alone. Just make sure the gasket fits round it nicely.
"Good luck charms" - I like it !!!

[swampy42]

Why is life never simple? Was double checking a couple of things (mainly why I had incorrectly fitted the valve oil seals), when I noticed the valve stem top sections are not as the manual shows. The top of my stems have a small 'u' shaped profile as opposed to the more rectangular shaped profile into which oil seals can be fitted. I'll put a pic of mine up when my batteries have recharged, but my query is, what oil seals should I use if there's no room for the small rubber ones? Will this stem seal from ESM do the job?

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pop ... e809c6a082


Here's the pic[frame][/frame]

[MarkyB]

That's the place the collets fit, the original O ring seals go a little lower.
The bigger seals are designed to locate into the valve guides but still work OK as umbrellas to keep the oil out of the guides.

[swampy42]

Well, that's what I thought. I put the o rings on the stem lower down (you can just about see it in the photo). However they have all split as you might expect because they were stretched so much and there appears to be nowhere lower down they can go. I'm wondering if the valves are the correct ones?

[bmcecosse]

No - they are much later Mini valves..... Which need matching collets and caps..... Is it a Mini cylinder head ??? And yes - these valves don't use the silly wee O rings... They use the 'top hat' seals - only on the inlets.

[swampy42]

OK, well that would explain it I guess. I have no idea if it is a mini head/engine - is there a way of telling? They have collets and caps on and but as it is how I bought it I couldn't say if they are the correct ones. It all fits together easily enough, so that has to be a good sign I guess?
So top hats for the inlets should sort it then?
Assuming of course they are available to buy? ESM and BullMotif don't seam to list them.

[panky]

Try one of the Mini suppliers, Moss are usually very good for Mini and Moggy.

[bmcecosse]

Bully do have them....... http://bullmotifminispares.com/1951/val ... al_adu4905

[philthehill]

Available from MiniSpares
Pt No: LJQ101160. They are the best you can get. Uses Dupont material and as was used on the Rover MPI engines
And yes only on the inlets valve stems.

[swampy42]

Thanks for those. I'll order some. Just as a matter of curiosity, why are they only used on the inlet stems?

[philthehill]

They can and have been used and fitted to both the inlet and exhaust valve guides.
The accepted wisdom is that just fitting them to the inlet guide seals/reduces any sucking (of air/oil) down the inlet valve guide and if not used on the exhaust valve guide allows a small amount of engine oil down the guide to lubricate the valve stem as the exhaust valve stem gets very hot.
Phosphor-bronze valve guides are the ultimate valve guide to fit as they have less chance of sticking as they are phosphor bronze on steel not steel on steel.

[swampy42]

OK, learn something new everyday. Many thanks.

[bmcecosse]

I'm not sure your guides are intended for these seals - can we have a better picture of them ? Is there a casting number on the head ?