Head Change????

Well, I hope this is the site for MGA info. Can anyone tell me if a 72 MGB "big valve" head will fit a 1600 mga without having to clearance the block for the valves???? Barneys site makes it sound like it might but not for sure so before I try I'd like confirmation. (Stock 72 head)

Kurt.

I believe you can as long as you are using a stock camshaft. Anything else and the valves will certainly hit the block.

Drop the head on and hold it on by running a couple of nuts on. Put pushrods in one cylinder and bolt on the rocker shaft. Put a dial indicator on the back of each valve keeper in turn, and rotate the engine until that valve is fully open. Zero the indicator. Use a lever to push on the back of the keeper until the valve touches the head or piston. If it too less than .090" (remembering that the gasket will give you more margin) it is a 'no go'.

The big valve head is the only MGB head with a small enough chamber not to give you drastically low compression on a 1588 engine.

Thanks. Yes MGA guru mentions that head volumn needs to be about 38cc and that is the volumn of the 72 head so no head shaving necessary. I have a 72 head with hardened seats and my 1600 MGA head has at least one leaking exhaust valve plus major exhaust valve recession. If I simply run the valves to there most open position and lever them a bit more won't that be good enough? I can guestimate 90 thou pretty close. If too close then I will get technical.

Kurt.