Morris Minor Owners Club

hi been reading the book ref head removal, and it sounds straight forward, the bit i dont like is when they say "now lift off the head", question is do they generaly come off ok or can it turn into a major battle, my engine looks like it has not been touched in a good many years, and i suspect the head gasket is not to good.

secondly, when i drove the car home last week, parked it up and checked it next day. there was a smallish pool of enginge oil on the floor, and the sump was covered in oil, looked as if it was mainly coming from the front of the engine/ sump , i want to get the sump and timing gear cover off, again this looks straight forward, but whats the best way of getting the crankshaft retaining bolt off? any help or advive on the above would be a great help, many thanks steve

In answer to your first question, the head doesn't tend to put up too much of a fight. If it does, then (with plug leads removed and ignition off) crank the engine over on the handle or press the starter button on the solenoid. The compression of the engine should be sufficient to break the seal of the gasket, pushing the head off very slightly. It should then lift off easily.

Removing the crankshaft retaining bolt is best done by fitting a spanner to it, and wedging the other end of the spanner against the front crossmember (with the shaft of the spanner sticking down and to the right). A quick tap of the starter solenoid should see the nut undo enough to be finger-tight.

The head will put up quite a fight if you forget the bypass hose, easily done it goes from the water pump to the head.
If you are lucky it will be held on with proper jubilee clips.

Drain the water first before getting in to the head. And yes -ring spanner/socket and T bar/stillson wrench resting on the nearside chassis leg. Drop an old blanket/coat over it in case it jumps - plugs out (if head still on) - and crank the engine.