Morris Minor Owners Club

Posted: **Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:40 pm**

Hi,
Well having finally got my gearbox back from being rebuilt, three weeks after (despite daily promises during week two that 'it will be ready today'.... !!) it lunched its internals on the way back from Lincolnshire, I refitted it, put my engine and interior back together, guess what....................
Yes, she decided that she wanted her head gasket replaced as well................
So having dug out my spare gaskets I find I have two.........
One is the copper type and the other a later BL replacement (according to the packet it's in), which looks like some sort of composite material, black in colour with metal edging around the piston holes.
Having used copper ones up to now I was wondering whether this later type may have better longevity??
So at this point I'd like to throw open the floor to comments / the past experience of others.......
Your advice is greatly appreciated and so many thanks in advance for your thoughts on this matter.

I should for the record at this point state that this is fitting onto a 1275cc ex-midget engine, although 1098cc experience will be just as relevant.
Best wishes,
Mike.

Posted: **Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:55 pm**

Use the copper one - you know it makes sense. The cornflake packet ones are to be avoided...... Carry it as the spare.

Posted: **Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:03 pm**

I liked Cornflakes as a child........

But seriously, are these black head gaskets to be avoided then. Were they a disaster in the 1970's / 1980's, when I presume they were commonly in use?
If so I'm better off with a spare copper one.

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:19 pm**

Copper type are better... but if its an old composite type it may be better than the new ones?

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:22 pm**

Not really - we certainly NEVER used the cornflake gaskets for any high performance engine. The one you have will be fine as a spare - because as long as you HAVE a spare in the car, there won't be any problem with the gasket on the engine !

Posted: **Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:29 pm**

Use the copper one - you don't want to do it again in a few months time.

Posted: **Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:14 pm**

Copper it is then, thanks for your advice on this.
The main thing I shall have to careful of is not to accidentally bend any of the push rods, as they seem to be like 'hens teeth' to get hold of for a 1275 midget unit! I've got some on order now, with Brown & Gammons but as always they are not actually in stock......
Best wishes,
Mike.

Posted: **Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:01 pm**

Why would they be like 'hen's teeth'??? They are no different to any other 1275 push rod - although there are a few minor (no pun..) variations - they all do the same job. Just a bit longer than 'small bore' push rods. I have a bundle of them......... And in any case - why would there be any risk of bending them?????

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:32 am**

I've never been able to get hold of any until now...............
The reason I'm wary of bending them is that the last time I had the head off they came with it......

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:21 pm**

They will... thats why you take the rockers off and pull them out 1 at a time...

(which you have to do on the small bores anyway, otherwise you risk pulling the followers out...

Posted: **Thu Oct 18, 2012 4:44 pm**

Ahhhhhhh.................

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