• Hi Guest!
    If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Blown head gasket..

Share this page

DrEntropy and Hap,

Thanks for the advice. I will re-torque after a few heat cycles. Since, hopefully, I won't need to pull the head again on the A (assuming that I didn't screw something up :square:) I won't have a chance to use the High Tack...

HOWEVER, I will use it on the B as I rebuild the very tired engine that is currently being discussed on a different thread.... :thumbsup:

Thanks again Gentlemen
 
I retorque once the engine is up to operating temp after you start it the first time and then again a week or so later (depending on use).

Caveat - those with alloy heads should warm it up, shut it off and allow it to cool before retorquing.
 
PS - I would never reuse a head gasket that had been clamped unless I had to (e.g. no spare at a race track), and I don't like using spray sealer on them unless I have blown it and have to try to seal it again. Trying to get the head off after spraying can be character building. Hi-Tack is bad enough, but paint is worse.

How can you tell I've blown more than my share of head gaskets in my time.....
 
I used Permatex Hi Tack on the head gasket when I rebuilt the engine in my B. Had they cylinder head milled for straightness, checked the block & cleaned both surfaces & sprayed the gasket with Permatex Hi Tack. Not a leak after 10 years of use.

Colin
 
Bill and WA1KWA,

Thanks for the comments... I think that I will check the torque ofter the first run-up to operating temp, then after the third, and then after 100 miles or so.... an ounce of prevention----

I am getting very proficient at removing and replacing the head and attached components...

I may pull the head after a few miles just for the fun of it.. :crazyeyes:

Seriously, Good advice.. As I mentioned in a previous post, I DO have an innate reluctance to use sealants on the head gasket based upon many years of working on cars...

I have re-cored the radiator and added a shroud that I bought from Moss. This should take care of the over-heating problems that started this whole project in the first place.. :wall:
 
Quick update ...

On the road, runs right at 185-190 degrees...

I do have a few new carb and timing issues that I will broach in a different topic string...

BUT....

<span style="font-weight: bold">Thanks for all of your help and suggestions....</span>
............. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: ..............
 
Back
Top