Martin White

Hi All I am just about to put the cylinder head back on to the block and was doing a final check of waterways etc. Can anyone tell me if the highlighted should be clear i.e. a channel of some sort or should be blanked./blocked off as they appear to be Just want to make sure all is good before the reassemble. Thanks

Thanks all

No. I am slowly putting things right after buying. Managed 10 miles before head gasket blew. Has been a god send during lockdown though as given me plenty to do and still plenty left to do. Hoping to get it up and running reliably in time for nice weather and club meets etc

Great thank you Johnny. Saved £20 quid on a further oil change and filter.

OK Just so I understand correctly Drain and change oil and filter. Run as normal and don't redrain oil Thanks Martin

Hi Clive/Johnny Blown head gasket so yes water in the oil. Probably due to blocked waterways which has now been resolved. Heads skimmed and ready to go back on. Martin

Hi All Just a quick question regarding oil flush after replacing cylinder head. Am I best to flush through with cheap oil (start engine get it warmish, drop the oil and replace again) and do I change the oil filter when I put the last lot of oil in Thanks

Hi Roger That would be great and more than happy to make a donation. If you can give me a call or drop me a text on 07831541298 I will pass on my address details. Thank you again everyone for your help and advice

So ordered a torsion bar torque wrench. I can see the flanged nuts on the mini spares website. Do I still use a washer with this type of nut? Thanks for the help guys

Hi Pete No they were silver. I did ask for cylinder head nuts specifically. So I need to contact minispares (I assume there is a website) and ask for flanged nuts for a cylinder head?

Funny you should say that but it’s not my torque wrench and to be honest I cannot think of anything else. Trip to Halford’s to buy my own on the cards. Also the torque wrench I am using only goes up to 50...,,

So guys you can see from my last post it has been a couple of weeks. Head should have been back on by now. 6 hours removing a stubborn stud 1 weekend gone Nuts kept shearing whilst torquing up another weekend gone so ordered correct cylinder head nuts from Canley classics And I am still having the same issue. I torque up to 20lb/ft then 35 but when I torque up to 46 ‘crack’ nuts shear and back to square one. Does anyone have any idea where I am going wrong here? Studs were also from CC. Getting a tad frustrated!

Thanks as always guys.

Thanks John. Could I just leave the nipple in like the right hand side?

Hi Folks Just getting around to looking at front suspension in new car. On the right side there appears to be a grease nipple for the trunnion but also one at the top of the suspension? The left side foes not have the grease nipple at the top of the suspension and does not have one at the bottom either. Where the grease nipple at the bottom should be is a hex nut. The top two photos are the right hand side Any thoughts? Please see attached photos

Thanks for the advice Colin

Thanks Chaps. I think I have enough info now to put it together again bit worried about those bolts at the back of the manifold but I managed to get them off so I am sure I can get the buggers back on again. Thanks again gents.

I have bought replacement studs and washers though. What would you recommend to lubricate the studs? A small smear of copper grease or engine oil? I understand I do not need to screw in very tightly

Thanks Pete although it seems to be only one valve. To be honest I would be quite happy to leave and put everything back together

Just cleaning up the head and tested valve seating with penetrating fluid all seems ok. However, one of the valves is not completely flat and has a slight bump as though the valve stem is "pushing" through slightly. I have another head so I suppose I could swap that one valve over. Or while I have the head off replace all valves and guides (and seals although I have seen hundreds of conflicting advice around these)?

Will start the clean up this week. New head gasket arrives Thursday so will try and put everything back together over the weekend.

Thanks again guys. Will be doing a thorough clean and a full flush through once engine up and running g again to get rid of any internal crap that I cannot get to. Was recommended half a dish washer capsule to dissolve out all the out that has made its way into the waterways. New one to me

I do have one more question (sorry !) Any tips on how to tighten the two nuts on the manifold that are tucked right at the back. I really struggled to get them off.

Thanks for all your advice. Have just used a plastic scourer and amazingly now smooth as silk 👍👍👍 Shocked at how quickly corrosion appeared. Seemed really quite bad Looks like a lucky escape!! One relieved Spitfire owner! Fingers crossed no more blown gaskets thanks again guys you have all really helped

Sorry guys getting out of sync with replies. Mottling on the bore wall