Cylinder Head Stud Repair

[GarethB]

A bit of a big appeal and several options depending how you guys and gals can help!

I would like to get my daughters Moggie repaired before the MMOC National rally, we need the car ready for the MMLEJOG Morris Minor Lands End To John O'Groats charity run in aid of Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cystic Fibrosis Trust which starts 28 July 2017.

Option 1) Does anyone have a Helicoil thread repair kit in the Coventry / Warwickshire area they could loan me to resolve a blown head gasket problem?

Option 2) I can trailer the Moggie to the National if someone is willing to help with a Helicoil thread repair on the cylinder head studs through the nation weekend?

Option 3) Anyone have an engine in the Coventry / Warwickshire area that is proven to be running that I can buy; working gearbox optional?

Option 4) Someone brings an engine to the national and we do a sway over the weekend!

Option 5) get the engine and possibly gearbox rebuilt before we take part in the MMLEJOG Morris Minor Lands End To John O'Groats.

[les]

Is the blown head gasket the only reason you want another engine? If so it seems a bit extreme, and given you're time restraint, if the helicoil insert would solve the issue, that's the one I would chose! If you know the size, (3/8unc I think, check though) send away for a kit, which will include the correct drill and installation tool. The quickest and most economical answer!

[GarethB]

Thanks Les

It's also a time constraint of ensuring the car gets to do her charity run. To add insult to injury I've just been told my uncle had a kidney removed over the weekend due to cancer and my daughter and I are doing this in honour of my mum who dies 25 years ago from cancer.

[les]

My point being, reparing the head gasket issue, would be a matter of days, whereas other options of engine swaps so much longer. Sorry about your relatives troubles, hopefully a good outcome.

[biomed32uk]

As Les says if you need a helicoil doing then just buy the kit, if a stripped thread is the only issue apart from the HG then it's the way to go.

I am sure it's 3/8UNC, I have several of the kits from this company, good value and work well. I have used them on one of my front damper mounts.

The key is getting the drill on centre, true and stopping it wandering, but that's easy with a piece of plate or bar fixed to the top of the block. Just get someone to hold a decent vacuum nearby as you drill, or cover the block in masking tape so no swarf gets in.

https://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/inf ... 816%2ehtml

Hope everything works out.

[oliver90owner]

While I would go the helicoil route these days, I have also simply removed the dead threads and tapped for a bespoke stud. Worked on my 2 1/4 Land Rover diesel, so a petrol engine should be a breeze. As stated earlier, drilling perpendicular is important. Using a milling cutter is generally better than a drill bit forjobs such as this.

I would be checking the head for straightness, as it may be that the stud was over-torqued to try to cure an underlying problem.