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Head Gasket ?

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N

Naomi

Jedi Hopeful
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Tried to post a picture but can't for some reason. I ran my 80 MGB real hard this morning but it did not over heat. Before starting out again I decided to check the oil and discovered antifreeze around spark plug number two and along that ridge just below the plugs. The hubby is on a fishing trip so he ain't no help! I did ask some friends and one of them suggested I clean off all the anti-freeze and then take it for a ride and look again. I did just that and kinda ran it hard again. When I looked at the area I had cleaned the ridge was clean but there is anti-freeze around the spark plug again.

The reason I said head gasket is I remember the hubby complaining about that plug when he changed them about a month ago and he said the words "head gasket".

Ya'll are the best of the best so go ahead and tell me it's not a big problem and the fix is real easy. If it ain't then please tell me the problem softly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Your turn,
 
Na - without seeing it, its hard to tell whether you've got a head gasket problem or a head problem....wipe her clean, run it up to operating temp while somebody looks at the place where you've seen anti-freeze....then, if it doesn't appear with car running, turn her off & watch to see what happens....I think I know but I'm not going to say yet....but, a hint: spark plugs are above the head gasket.

I hate to say it - but look down inside the spark plug hole (with plug still in) to see if the anti-freeze is coming out around it (you'll probably need a flashlight)
 
Tony it is coming out around the spark plug beyond a doubt. I just looked again. Tell me it isn't bad and if it is that you have the right part on sell /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
DO NOT PUT BARR'S LEAK OR ANYTHING ELSE IN YOUR RADIATOR! THAT'S A CRAPPY BANDAID AT BEST

Are you sure its not blowing out from somewhere else?

Can you remove the #2 plug & tell me what the threads around it look like - & its tip?

If you need a head, I've got a few (David Maples is ocming up next week to get one also)

Oh, when was last time you torqued the head bolts?
 
Tony if anything was "torqued" it was four or five years ago when the engine was rebuilt. When the hubby gets home I'll have him pull the plug and then I'll try to explain what it looks like to ya,
 
I wouldn't lose any sleep - if its the head gasket, its a quick fix - if its the head its a bit longer & a bit more expensive but, again, within his expertise...drive another B for a few days.
 
And I listen to wise advice so I will do and will report back later /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Update

Little update for those interested. The hubby is now home and today he cleaned the whole area again, pulled the plug (which looked fine) and then, with a magnifying glass inspected the whole area around plug number 2. He couldn't see anything out of the ordinary so he put the plug back in, started the car and we watched. As the engine became hotter we noticed steam coming from the heater valve. By the time the fans came on the heater valve was squirting an extremely tiny, straight, stream of anti-freeze/water right at plug number 2. The hubby replaced the heater valve, cleaned the area again, and the engine now has over 50 miles on it and not a drop, or sign, of anti-freeze around the plug. We've also let it sit and idle for 30 minutes or so and again not a sign of a problem.

The hubby says I should not post this yet because "only time will tell whether that was actually the fix" and he also said "it would be a one in a million piece of luck". I still think I should just so others can be aware of something like this happening and maybe save a lot of work. Thanks so much for helping and like the hubby said I may be back with the same question /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Your turn,
 
Re: Update

Another LBC tidbit to put in the memory banks. Who would have ever thought? Just think, if we didn't have these lovely little cars to keep us occupied, we would be boared just driving around in something that we didn't have to work on. That's no fun! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif PJ
 
Re: Update

There are cars that you don't have to work on? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
Re: Update

Kenny, I just noticed your Alfa Romeo Spider. I own a great partner for it, a Fiat Spider 2000, that could be yours if the price is right----interested? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Update

GREAT!! Now, you can relax about the head...however, were it me, I'd find a spare one just in case...but, go slowly & get a deal.
 
Re: Update

Hey Tony,
What's a fair price for one to have on the shelf /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Update

Hard to say...you should try to get one from a guy who has an extra - that's the least expensive way to go...I'll start looking around for a good 18V "L" head.....at your leisure, Chuck can have it redone...

...there are only 2 spare parts I really keep around for my cars: a head & a crank.
 
Re: Update

If ya see one from someone you trust let me know and I'll add it to my collection of parts which seems to be growing very large. What is a "crank" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Update

crankshaft
 
Re: Update

Good to know just in case.

General question;

Are all "B" heads & cranks interchangebale throughout all years.
 
Re: Update

Earliest 18GA engines were a three main bearing unit, 18GB's and forward are five. Not a "one size fits all." Heads had various changes as well, some will interchange some will not. The later 18V heads (my experience only, so others will have input on this) are more subject to internal cracking due to casting changes.
 
Re: Update

I think I have the 18GB in th '67BGT.
 
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