Head gasket?

[philthehill]

Check that you are getting water circulating around the rear of the engine and that the water transfer passages between block and head are clear. The further the cylinder is away from the water pump the hotter the metal can become.

[morris van]

Every thing seems clear on mine. I fitted the head, hoses, exhaust etc yesterday. Over the weekend will do the tappets put new water in and replace oil and filter.

[bmcecosse]

Leave the heater valve OPEN all year round... and be sure to retorque the head and reset the valve gaps after the first heat cycle.

[morris van]

Done the tappets, oil and filter change today and it started first time. Will check tappets etc on Sunday there is one or two of little adjustments I have got to do as well.

[M_and_B]

I said I'd say how I got on with the cracked head/blown gasket, well:

- replacement12g202 head acquired locally
- cleaned and valves reground
- all reassembled on Friday last (I had lifted a cam follower as moggalot suggested and it had slipped back sideways so giving a significantly raised push rod.)
- re-torqued after first heat cycle
- running quite nicely and got it to the local show as planned.

Thanks to all for the useful comments.

[bmcecosse]

Good job well done !