Tipidave

The problem was poor starting, rough running and top end noise. Low pressure in all four cylinders but esp lie in two and three (55-60 psi) which didn't improve when retested with oil in the bore. Having removed the head from my herald 1200, a chipped no 3 exhaust valve was obvious... but what else? Number 4 piston has an area devoid of any carbon and looks a bit pitted... almost as if it is striking the head... but no corresponding mark on the head... should I be concerned? If I get yhebhraf skimmed this could be a problem? What else might cause this pattern? Also is the orange brown deposit deposit on the exhaust valves normal or indicative if some fault? The cylinder bores look pretty clean just a slight lip and minimal scoring or play evident... so I just plan to clean the crowns (which to my eye don't look too badly coked) leaving a small ring around the edge... is this the right approach? What else can I look for that might help to understand the story? Any advice greatfully received.?

Here are some more pictures of the Gead that I am hoping to overhaul and put on my 1965 herald 1200 . Is it the right thing to do? Or better skim the original?

Thanks for all the replies. I may just remove the original head (low compression 2&3) and top and noise. Runs kind of ok but difficult to start. Compression remained low when oil placed in each pot. I really just want to get engine to a good level of serviceability but don't want to go mad with it. I will be selling the car once sorted because I have recently re-discovered and purchased my old herald... But that is a different story... isvthe club refurb service at £250 a bit over the top then? I have lapped in valves many many years ago and remember it was quite satisfying! It is more the need for hardened valve seats made me think maybe to send away and get it done. Does anyone know of a engineer close to Southampton, Portsmouth that could do a skim and seats for less?

Ah ok ...I didn't realise that ther were any moving parts in the anti burst fitting... I will investigate next time I am up with the car thanks😀

Sorry not to answer... yes I have got the anti burst catches! 😀👍 i have found the slider frees it off and put some moly slip grease on it... seems fine with a good spring return .

Sorry not to answer... yes I have got the anti burst catches! 😀👍 i have found the slider frees it off and put some moly slip grease on it... seems fine with a good spring return .

In answer to question it is a genuine convertible. I may be being very dumb... but what is the slider and the wedge that have been mentioned .... I have manually tested the peg and I am pretty sure that it is behaving correctly. Bit of resistance and then snaps down with a satisfying clunk. Use of button then raises it back up. Could it be as simple as a worn striker plate?

Thanks all... I have adjusted the striker plate to its limit. I can feel wear on the surface and wonder if it has just worn to a point where it doesn't quite meet the latch mechanism with enough force.

Hi all once again looking for some pointers to get me going in the right direction ... the drivers door on my 1200 convertible will often pop open ( bit disconcerting on round about!) and requires slamming to shut. On initial inspection it looks as though maybe the clasp is not seating all the way down? Also the check strap on the a post seems loose and makes quite a clunky noise ... not sure how to gain access to investigate/ repair... any ideas on either gratefully received 😀👍

Just for a bit of an update... nothing would shift the hard powdery residue in the heater valve... not that is until a friend suggested soaking in Coca Cola ... so having tried lots of "solvents" in my ultra sonic bath... may seem odd but where all else failed... it worked!!! 😀😀👍

Assuming it is a spit head... should it be interchangeable with the herald?

Hi all the time has come for my 1965 herald 1200 to get an overhaul of the cylinder head... i have been storing a "spare" for years... it looks right but I cannot for the life of me remember what it came off. It is marked stanpart and has two sets of numbers in the casting as per photos. Is this a likely candidate to send away for a refurb before removal of the existing head. Any advice greatly appreciated.

I have a 1965 herald 1200 convertible that does not have any rubber bumpers front or back. My question is whether or not this is correct or whether they have been lost at some point. Any opinion gratefully received.

Thanks for the replies... I will be removing the heater and trying to soak out the gunk as suggested. I think that a new valve and hoses will be in order. Thanks again for the help!

I am slowly making progress with a 1200 1965 herald that had been laid up for 9 years.... I have found that the hoses to the heater are blocked with a white paste and that a hose placed on both inlet and outlet pipe will not clear the matrix. I have never had to service a smiths heater. Any ideas on how to remove and clean valve and matrix? My assumption is that the white paste will be blocking everything up.

Ah thanks nick.. makes sense. By a little oil do you mean a few drops? Or a tablespoon? I will wait to sort thermostat housing before conducting the test hot. ?

Yes throttle open poor start from cold... seems to run quite sweetly but some blue exhaust fumes when under load ( reported by guy following me back home on collection) feels a bit lacking in power (but it is a few years since I last drove one ) haven't driven above 55mph because a wheel wobble needs sorting... then I found corroded thermostat housing that leaked a bit so waiting for replacement before further investigation

Hi All having just collected my new herald 1200 I have worked my way round a poor starting problem. Amongst the usual adjustments (inc valve clearances that were all too tight) a new hi torque starter motor as helped enormously. However compression test cold ( can't run up to temp until new thermostat cover arrives) revealed some interesting and low results as follows 1= 110 psi 2= 70 psi 3= 55 psi 4=90 psi other than a very tired engine, does this likely mean a gasket fail between 2 and 3? Before leaping into a full rebuild, would a head off visual inspection for scoring, relap of valves, skim and new gasket be a logical first step .... or am I simply putting off the inevitable? Your thoughts greatly appreciated ?

Hi All having just collected my new herald 1200 I have worked my way round a poor starting problem. Amongst the usual adjustments (inc valve clearances that were all too tight) a new hi torque starter motor as helped enormously. However compression test cold ( can't run up to temp until new thermostat cover arrives) revealed some interesting and low results as follows 1= 110 psi 2= 70 psi 3= 55 psi 4=90 psi other than a very tired engine, does this likely mean a gasket fail between 2 and 3? Before leaping into a full rebuild, would a head off visual inspection for scoring, relap of valves, skim and new gasket be a logical first step .... or am I simply putting off the inevitable? Your thoughts greatly appreciated ?

I read with interest the article in this months corrier detailing the problem of higher pressure from a replacement pump. Could the solution be as simple as to flush and blow through the existing pump ?

Thanks for the reply... by some while I mean two minutes plus. Later same day 7 to 8 hours. Restarts well an hour or two after running. Have only just got the car so haven't had much chance to play with it yet. ??

Hi All, I have just purchased a 1965 1200 herald convertible that runs beautifully once started but it takes considerable time to fire from cold. The car was stored for 9 years prior to purchase. Is it likely to be the fuel pump diaphragm? On starting there are no visible exhaust fumes so I am thinking this is best place to start. Can I overhaul the pump? Or will a new pump be best? Any other ideas? Thanks

Looks like the same ad. I have tried speculatively calling some classic car restorers in the to set area but no joy yet. ?

Thanks Richard i really appreciate it ??

Ah yes... unfortunately it was registered in her name and sale was unavoidable ... i know it is a long shot... but as a friend once said... something will happen something always does ! Keep the faith indeed??