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Second blown head gasket in my Midget! Help?

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I'm a new MG owner..A mechanic friend of mine installed a re-man head on my 77. I drove it to work, and noticed a small amount of coolant under the car. I assumed it was from the water pipe that supplies the heater. Wrong!!The car started to run as poorly as it did before the new head. I tore it down today and noticed that 2 rear studs weren't torqued, In fact they were hand tight. I believe my friend forgot to tighten them from the get go.When I pulled the head, the gasket was blown . My real Question is...Is it necesary to replace the head studs at this time??? I've decided to do 100% of the work myself, from now on. I absolutely love this little car, It's like having an old Harley again. Any suggestions would be appreciated-
 
No need to replace head studs on a daily driver. Just torque em down cold then agan warm and check again in a month.
 
Thanks Jack! Thank god the head is fine. As the saying goes, "if you want it done right, Do it yourself". The car I bought has 58,000 miles on it. It's from California and is totally rust free with original paint. All electrical/guages work. I've installed a Weber dgv carb, new top and misc nonsense so far. I may be optimistic here but I intend to drive it to and from work, about 14 miles per day. My wife wants to kill me, but like I said I love this car and won't rest until I have it sorted out.
 
Good on you, drove a bugeye to work for almost 30 years, never let me down. They grow on you.
 
Where did the gasket blow???---Keoke
 
I'm guessing at #2.
 
Wherever the loose headbolts were!

*sheesh* /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
The gasket blew between 3 and four. The last two bolts on the manifold side. I'm going to pop in a new gasket on thurs, adjust the valves and hopefully drive the little devil to work by monday! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
GO fer it!!! It'll be FINE. No overheat, no warpage. Take it fer a "test run" over the weekend, enjoy th' "wind in yer hair". --- Though I've heard you *may* experience some "winter-like" conditions 'Up There' in the next few days.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Wherever the loose headbolts were!

*sheesh* /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

*Sheesh* The head bolts were not loose it reportedly was the studs???.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif
 
And just how could a loose stud be anything other than a loose head nut? Tighten the head nut tighten the stud, I think.
 
Well Jack, it just so happens that the nuts can be torqued to spec without the studs being tight Happens all the time.--Regards Keoke
 
Gesh, good to know. Thanks Keoke.
 
Thanks guys! I'm gonna double nut the studs , drive em down first. Then I'll torque each nut to spec. Winter weather? Heck, I guess when I boogie down the road, the smile will be frozen on my face!!! It's all good-I'll let ya know how I make out............... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wherever the loose headbolts were!

*sheesh* /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

*Sheesh* The head bolts were not loose it reportedly was the studs???.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

...awright, sparky... "studs"/ "headbolts" ...whatever. "Them 'things' wot keep th' head clamped down so's compression stays inna chambers!"

...izzat better?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
Where in LI are you srv? Are you in the MGCCLIC?
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wherever the loose headbolts were!

*sheesh* /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

*Sheesh* The head bolts were not loose it reportedly was the studs???.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

...awright, sparky... "studs"/ "headbolts" ...whatever. "Them 'things' wot keep th' head clamped down so's compression stays inna chambers!"

...izzat better?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


---Not much,you just being Sarsky DRe.---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif
 
I know that there has been some controversy on applying torque to nuts and bolts for many years now as whether to lube the threads or not before you torque the nut or bolt. I always lube them before I use a torque wrench to eliminate the friction factor on the threads. This can and will give a false reading, sometimes small, sometimes large, if the threads are not clean and lubed. We found this out when rebuilding CAT engines on our construction equipment. PJ
 
Yep, PJ, differing opinions and info... I've given up the argy-bargy and just do it the way that has worked most sucessfully for me (which is to be certain threads are clean -- or new -- and I do lube them). Again: this is what I personally have had most success with... and I keep my Snap-On ft/lb and in/lb torque wrenches calibrated...

But: "Your mileage may vary." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
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