Morris Minor Owners Club

Can't agree with the hylomar - thin film of grease is fine I have found. And I prefer to just retorque after the first heat cycle - and then leave well alone !

Got the head off this afternoon. Quite clear what the problem is!
Looks like it was about to blow between cylinders 3 &4 too as the gasket had started to split there too.
Goodness knows where the missing piece of gasket has gone....should I be concerned?
Head looks OK, or at least the valves do. I haven't examined it with a steel rule to check if its straight yet but will do before I put it back together.
I've added some pictures so any comments/advice would be welcome.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj31 ... G_1321.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj31 ... G_1322.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj31 ... G_1323.jpg

Oh dear - looks like it's been run for some time like that?? I would be concerned for the head and block in case they are eroded. May as well grind in the valves while the head is out - assuming it doesn't need surface grinding first.

Well done on getting the head off. No need to worry about where the missing bit went, it's long gone down the exhaust. However, I would be very concerned about the state of the head and block. Checking with a straight edge is essential. If it looks OK, then try putting the head back with a new gasket. If it runs OK, then "phew" but if it blows again after a short period of use then I'm afraid that it will be strip and skim. You might get away with just the head, but might have ot do the block as well. Try and see. Good luck.

Hi Phil.
Its been a while since your headgasket blew.
Whats the lastest news??
PS.
The headgasket went on mine on monday,had a sudden misfire on way to shops!
It blew from No1 into the cooling system!
When you took the rad cap off it was chuffing just like a trains chimney!
The engine had been stood for a while,and the copper headgasket had obviously deteriorated,but head,block and pistons are excellent.
It will be going shopping again this afternoon!

Hi Dave,
We were on holiday for two weeks so I didn't bother replacing it until last weekend. I then realised I needed a few more bits to finish it properly.
I took the opportunity to purchased a new unleaded head as by the time I compared the cost of reconditioning mine, there wasn't much in it. I'll keep my original head as a spare.
I finally got it all back together yesterday and it seems to be running fine. Nicely up to temperature so tightened it down after the first heat cycle and adjusted the rocker clearances etc.. Am off out for a spin a little later so all should be good. I have a lot of events coming up in September so I am looking forward to those.
Thanks for all your help guys.