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Engine upgrade questions


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Tried double nut on the passenger side, absolutely no give whatsoever... tried heating the studs with propane torch a few times, nothing (although the stud closest to the thermostat seems to be free in relation to the head, but wouldnt unscrew using the double nut method)... poured diesel in, and soaked some cloths around the studs, will try again tomorrow...

I've also fitted an axle from a mini between a jack and a exhaust manifold stud to give it upward force - hopefully there'll be a "clung!"...

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I would never think that it could weld itself like that :)

I just can't imagine what does the block and the outer side of the liners look like... wouldn't surprise me if the figure of 8 gaskets have no use now, that the rust and the other gunk are sealing water from oil space... and then i should decide to just change the gasket and retorque... yikes

 

Hopefully it won't take weeks for an update here :)

 

Cheers!

Luka

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Certainly some sort of liquid rust treatment plus a lubricant is the only way forward short of drilling out all the studs, I would go for a 50:50 mix of Phosphoric Acid (Genolite or similar) and Industrial Methylated Spirit applied to all the studs via the plasticine method, keep it topped up over a couple of days, warmth from a hot air blower would help but no naked flames, meths burns nicely!!

Cheers Rob

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I'd love to say that the head is off, but it isn't... so annoying

 

There's been some progress however! After removing the exhaust manifold and the dynamo, i managed to jiggle the head a bit, enough so that the putty knife can slide between the block and the head at the rear of the engine, and almost half way up front from the manifold side. The dizzy side has separated nicely, but the front right hand side of the engine is welded together...

 

My question is - would you rather go with a torch on the stud until glowing, and repeat it if necessary or -

build a tool from an L profile where one side would fit on the manifold studs, the other over the rocker studs as anchor points then drill holes and weld nuts and fit bolts on the upper part of the profile, directly above the 5 head studs, and then gradually tightening each the bolts that would rest on the stuck studs, eventually pulling the head away.

I've tried so far sds hammer thing, diesel soaking studs, lifting the entire car using a lever between a hydraulic lift and a manifold stud, even managed to fit a lift between the engine mount/dynamo bracket and the manifold stud, resulting in ridiculous force - without success...

That rust can really weld!

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Yes, a bracketed flange can be made up although you'd need to use a substantial stud fixing along the rocker gallery area, I think the pedestal studs won't be strong enough when you use a spreading motion pushing against the studs.

 

Mick Richards

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  • 1 month later...

Guys!

 

The bu99er is off! It took many weeks of swearing, sweat, pain and brute force, but it is off.

The old gasket has paid the price, but with no other damage done to the head or block.

However.

Upon head inspection - this came up:

 

Cylinder_Head_Crack.jpg

 

It looks like the crack is localized only between the 2 water holes, and not towards the head stud holes, so perhaps this is usable?

The valve guides are gone, so new need to be installed. Now the question is - should i use the head - have it hydrotested, or do i need to have valves that seat properly for that stuff?

I'd like to avoid splashing money on something that's not usable...

 

Any opinions more than welcome :)

 

Cheers

Luka

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Hi Luka,

the purists would not be happy with it but I have seen that before and they keep on going.

Have the head skimmed (minimal) and go for it.

You may find that in the block, immediately below that crack, there is a bridging piece within the block casting - that may also be

cracked (but is not connected with the head crack).

 

Roger

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Guys!

 

The bu99er is off! It took many weeks of swearing, sweat, pain and brute force, but it is off.

The old gasket has paid the price, but with no other damage done to the head or block.

However.

Upon head inspection - this came up:

 

Cylinder_Head_Crack.jpg

 

It looks like the crack is localized only between the 2 water holes, and not towards the head stud holes, so perhaps this is usable?

The valve guides are gone, so new need to be installed. Now the question is - should i use the head - have it hydrotested, or do i need to have valves that seat properly for that stuff?

I'd like to avoid splashing money on something that's not usable...

 

Any opinions more than welcome :)

 

Cheers

Luka

Cold stitching , I would not refit it.

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I thought that the head could easily have a slot there instead of 2 holes to match the block and the gasket... what consequences could there be if this is left untouched, just skimmed and bolted back on?

 

What sort of prices am i looking at if replacing the head?

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Hi Luka,

crack is caused because there is a fair degree of corrosion and the section of metal between the two water hole is thin(ish) to start with.

The crack is going no further as the two water holes will act as crack stoppers.

 

A slot is not required - leave as is.

 

OK - it is not the perfect situation but the engine will slog on for many more miles.

 

You can get new heads from Moss and they are very good. I have one and it dropped into place and worked from day one. Not cheap @ £1700

 

Roger

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Thanks for the heads up Roger :)

£1700 is really rather pricy... i hope a 2nd hand one in good nick is possible to find at a much more reasonable price, but i haven't seen one yet...

 

Well since the cost of repairing the head is a gasket set, 8 valve guides, an exhaust manifold stud, a few nuts and washers and about £40 in labour (skimming, cleaning, valve seat and valve grinding and lapping, inserting guides) - i guess worth a try at less than a £100 compared to a new head at the mentioned amount...

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