Coolant temp problems - Confirmed HGF

fd · Post by fd » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:23 pm

Aye aye . . . had to be . . . hence the retest request on the sniffer

You can reuse the head bolts a few times, plenty people do and no issues . . . I wouldn't replace them personally . . . unless I knew they had been used a few times before . . .

I'd get a set of studs and stud nuts for the exh manifold.

I/we have proper cam ladder sealant - no need to buy . . .

exh and in mani gaskets

head gasket

cam seals

queue up a head skimmer . . .

What's the deal with the pulley ? . . . if there is any doubt change it AND the pulley bolt . . . not worth the hassle . . .

Easy evening to strip and evening to refit . . . needn't be off the road long . . .

Fd

robin · Post by **robin** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:27 pm

Depends on whether you think you're sticking with this head.

Why not slap on the kiwirog spec head that Ali has in stock

(blatant sales plug).

If you're going to stick with the head, then get new bolts etc. If you're planning on chopping the head in for a spangly go faster model, reuse the old head bolts.

I haven't bothered fitting the new sump ladder in the past.

The killer will be the liners' stand proud. If they are flush or -ve then you need to remove the liners, deck the block, re-build.

Cheers,
Robin

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:33 pm

might be an idea to check the head's hardness if it's soft it's bin like mine

steve_weegie · Post by **steve_weegie** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:25 pm

Cheers guys...

Robin, I'm open to barter for that head if you'd negotiate around an IBM x235 with 2x2.4ghz xeons for it?

Looking at the big engine picture, the bottom end has got 69k on it already so the pistons / liners will be less than perfect too. As much as i'd like to go on a quest for more power, now is probably not the time and this is probably not the bottom end to do it on unfortunatly.... Liner heights worry me - i know they will not be perfect but stripping and machining the block would be a disaster at the moment.

So, i guess my target with this is going to be to build an engine that will last a year, then build up a new one to swap over in the next wee while.

Fd, The pulley got damaged due to me mis-aligning it on the crank when the cambelt was changed. Stoopid mistake that i wont repeat, so new pulley and bolt required

Does this sound reasonable????

Cheers,

Steve

fd · Post by fd » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:37 pm

No choices to make then.

Whip the head off, check for a possible skim, check liners, take it from there.

It has to be said that you do just get head gasket failures, and all the doom about liner recession is somewhat overrated IMHO . . . but if it is the problem, there's no denying it's a real issue . . .

With a high milage block I'd go for the minimal solution . . .

Fd

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:25 pm

Bummer.... lets hope I have a bit more luck with mine...

I have already reported it to the AA that it has broken down and they are expecting a call when I get back to the Uk. They have confirmed that it will be covered by the breakdown insurance, even though I had the car moved to a secure car park myself and cancelled the AA call out, didnt want to miss my check in.

So, will get it down to Dans and let him have a go at fixing it....

If it is HGF, then maybe he has a set of big valves that could go in at the same time? or if it is a coolant leak it will probly need new SAMCO hoses or a replacement aluminium radiator.. will have to wait and see

steve_weegie · Post by **steve_weegie** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:52 pm

Minimal solution it is then FD

When do you think a good time to tackle this is? I can see if i can pick up most of the stuff at machargs tomorrow, but i'm still in need of finding a venue to lay it up while we do the work. I'll also need to phone stu about time to turn round a head skim, as i suspect it may well need one.

John, like your style sir

Fingers crossed Dan will work his magic and you'll be back up and running soon...

fd · Post by fd » Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:38 am

Well, I'm off to the snow in Calfornia/Nevada in under 3 weeks . . . and weekend time is premium before that . . . let me know when you have garage space predicted and we can see what can be sorted . . .

Fd

robin · Post by **robin** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:20 am

Considering mileage and expectancy to be doing all this again in the near future on the power quest I suggest the following:

Whip off head.

Close eyes.

Refit head with new gasket.

Run away.

Seriously, first step has to be to remove the head and see if the failure can be identified.

Liner heights are an issue, but like I said, provided they are +ve I would be inclined to leave them alone. The gospel is 5 thou stand proud required
...

Do you need the car to commute in?

Cheers,
Robin

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:13 am

It's the dog on the bottom cog that the pulley attatches to thats the problem. I think a previous botch job didn't have the two parts correctly lined and just horsed up the bolt.

I had a real problem refitting it again.

We can always use my place on a weekend (23rd Feb would suit) - with you and I doing the donkey work and DDtB or Boris handing spanners as requested we could get it done in jig time.

Mac

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:14 am

I'm with Robin, change the head gasket with your eyes closed. Its lasted 68k miles so far so it isn't that bad. If decking the block isn't an option then I would whip the head off check its flat, look at the liners, change the HG and reassemble... Rover/MG HG was a complete kit with everything I needed form a Rover dealer for about £45

Like my head swap, I could not do anything about the liners so I didn't look hard, it would only upset me

Best of luck!

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:17 am

Last time I got a head gasket it kit it had what they called a "head saver" shim.

What's that all about?

Mac

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:19 am

Can i borrow the sniffer kit?

Rob/
Paranoid faction

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:20 am

That is the Landrover MLS gasket. The rover one was a notrmal elastomer type gasket. Reports say that this is more tolerant of uneven liner heights, the MLS is supposed to be better for soft heads as its stops dig in of the liners.

I just went for a rover one as it was available and cheaper!! (Pikey!)

steve_weegie · Post by **steve_weegie** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:33 pm

I like the running away part of your plan Robin! I'm with Rich here too, as its only a small failure of the gasket, i'm sure the liner heights will be fine

I'm in the elise full time at the moment unfortunatly, but at least the commute to st andrews is on hold pending some xslt code fixes from me, but thats another story

Edinburgh next week so the train is an option...

Mac, you are too kind sir! My only concern with doing it at the weekend is getting the head skimmed, which i really want to do. Its had a fair bit of mileage with this failure already and i cant believe that a "few thou" wont need to come off it to put it back approaching level. I've sent stu a PM so will hopefully be in touch with him shortly.

Rob, you're welcome to a shot of the tester anytime. I've got PC fixing duties to attend to tonight, but any evening over the next few days, or the weekend will be ok. It only takes 5 minutes so just drop me a PM and i'll happily fire across.

One day, i'll have a garage and be on the other end of these posts i hope

Cheers everyone,

Steve