Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all… so, Philthehill has kindly been helping me so far with this on another post but I don’t want to keep pestering, so opening up to all..

As you can see from the pic, the front cylinder head stud has been replaced by some form of bolt…. As a bodge. I’ve taken the bolt out and fitted a new stud this evening. That new stud won’t tighten. It goes in as far as it needs and beyond so I’m not concerned there’s a bit of old stud broken off. But clearly the stud hole in the block in mashed. Bit gutted as I was making progress getting it back together.

What would be peoples suggestions on an insert of some sort into the block to get the stud to tighten please???

Phil has also noticed that there seems to be a mush mash of nuts and bodged studs so I’m thinking while the heads off again I should just put a full new set of studs, washers and nuts in. Anyone got suggestions of the best way to get the studs out without risking breaking them and causing myself more headache…. The new stud I’ve had is from Dave Manners so just wondering what stud sets people recommend please …

So many questions - but I’m gutted.. lol. Silly me thinking the new stud would just go in without issue.

Thank you all..!!! - pic is below.
Dougie

You can buy a Helicoil kit to repair the damaged thread in the block, comprising an appropriate tap, drill and helicoils, and instructions. I’m not sure of the thread required, possibly 3/8 UNC but check that out. To remove the remaining studs, screw two nuts onto the threads, lock them together and using the lower nut unscrew the stud. I think Phil recommended the studs to use.

Thanks Les. I’ll get on to it. Just gutted the heads got to come off again. 3 steps forward, 5 back.

Should the new head gasket be okay to stay on??

All advice gratefully received.

I always use the stud removal tool in my socket set. So much better than twisting fairly remotely to the deck threads.

An alternative to a helicoil would be to tap at a llarger size and fit a shouldered stud. That sorted out my Landrover block.

Are you telling us you tightened the head down before checking the dodgy stud thread?

Well….. the whole tightening thing is interesting… because it does tighten to a fashion just… not up to torque… I was following the fastening order in the book and I maybe got a bit lulled into the ‘ohh it’s lose because the rest are pulling the head down … I don’t know… either way… its coming off again.

I have seen a stud removal tool advertised on eBay. Is it good?

You are were you are but what ever you do now the head is going to have to be removed.
You cannot fit a Helicoil or stepped stud with the head in place.
I would fit a 3/8" UNC Helicoil insert to bring it back to standard. Do not make it any more complicated than it is.
Once the head is off you can remove the studs with the two nut trick - there is no need to buy a stud removing tool - ok if you have one but why buy when there is no need to.
As regards greased gaskets - you should be able to reuse them but I personally would replace the head gasket. Use a copper head gasket preferably.
The best studs to use are the 'A' Plus studs with flanged nuts - see link in other post.

Brilliant. Thank you.

Ordering the studs now and found a 3/8” UNC Helicoil set on eBay for £18.00 so I’ll order that now.

I’d be kicking myself if I carried on in hope it would all be okay after everything I’ve done so I’ll bite the bullet and get to work.

Well done
Just make sure that you have the correct size drill and the special tap both of which should come with the kit.
Phil