RichTeaBiscuit Posted August 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2022 DanMi you're absolutely right there is no rush, I woke up this morning and decided that today I prefer the look of the 155's. I'll get down to some meets and maybe I'll settle on something I like next year. I'll get news about the head next week I suspect, as I'm away a lot for the next month I told them no rush as I won't be around to collect it anyway. They are going to give it a skim and other various minor bits including a good clean of the engine bay and a new radiator/hoses. Used this time to sort out the garage big time - It's got carpet tiles down on it which seem fine for now but will probably wear a lot, I need to get something a bit more hardy to put down under the car - maybe some interlocking plastic tiles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 27, 2022 Report Share Posted August 27, 2022 most interlocking are soft and wont like tyres ao trolley jacks i got a roll of garage style vinyl chequer plate sheet from cost co its been good komes up well with a squirt and a wash evry year Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTeaBiscuit Posted September 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 Some photos sent from the workshop. They said the head gasket had recently been done, but not well and the head has never been skimmed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 These never ending threads, Ive forgotten what the problem was now😞 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMi Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 at least it looks like there are no cracks. Make sure that they use hardened washers rather than standard ones for the head nuts or better still use the flanged nuts CAM4545 (minispares or minisport) from a late mini as ordinary washers can deform and lose clamping force (when I had my engine apart there were none available). You could consider putting unleaded valve inserts in whilst it's out but it should be fine with lead memory for a long time (plus once you start it would end up as a full head rebuild). I hope that those are not your pistons behind the cylinder head! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 I have to say that the inner surface and the edges of the bonnet on this car are in superb condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTeaBiscuit Posted September 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 1 hour ago, johny said: These never ending threads, Ive forgotten what the problem was now😞 Blown head gasket, but using the opportunity to get a few extra bits done 🤣 while I'm enjoying the 🌞 1 hour ago, DanMi said: at least it looks like there are no cracks. Make sure that they use hardened washers rather than standard ones for the head nuts or better still use the flanged nuts CAM4545 (minispares or minisport) from a late mini as ordinary washers can deform and lose clamping force (when I had my engine apart there were none available). You could consider putting unleaded valve inserts in whilst it's out but it should be fine with lead memory for a long time (plus once you start it would end up as a full head rebuild). I hope that those are not your pistons behind the cylinder head! Thank you for the info, I'll get on that. No I don't think my pistons are coming out! 51 minutes ago, Neil Clark said: I have to say that the inner surface and the edges of the bonnet on this car are in superb condition. That's great to hear - you definitely know what you're looking for more than I do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 has any answer been found as to why the recently replaced headgasket failed and what can be done to avoid a repeat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTeaBiscuit Posted September 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 They said the gasket was recently replaced but hadn't been fitted well - also the head had never been skimmed so they are fitting a new gasket and skimming the head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 hopefully that'll do the job - do they give a guarantee (time/mileage)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTeaBiscuit Posted September 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 To be honest - I didn't ask - what sort of answer should I be looking for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 Not sure but wouldnt have thought 1yr/3000miles is unreasonable. Of course they might want you to come back for the head to be retorqued by them at extra cost after a few hundred miles use... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTeaBiscuit Posted September 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 I'll ask - doesn't seem like the type of place to do that though, they were happy to do minor things when I went in for them to take a look with no charge. So far I'd recommend them just based on that! Seem pretty up front and not pushy which is nice. https://www.raceltd.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 Dont ask, dont get! Also its only a piece of paper but interesting to see what they say... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMi Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 For a head gasket I wouldn't worry too much about a formal warranty, you get 6 months under the sale of goods act and a head gasket normally either fails pretty quickly or lasts pretty much forever and any decent garage will stand by their work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 Get something in writing - it'll give more clout in the small claims court! Dont think we know if this is a 'decent garage'.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted September 8, 2022 Report Share Posted September 8, 2022 One reason for failed gaskets, can be the studs, A collection of crud rust etc; arround the base of the studs, enough to stop the gasket sitting properly, or the threads and nuts are binding, in odd cases, the studs can have been taken beyond their elastic limit in the past by overtorqueing, Both the former will "fool" the torque wrench into thinking it correct, when the torque is not actually correct. Good mechanics will be aware, but not all. The later is not always obvious, unless a stud breaks, and the only cure is a set of new studs. Investing in a decent torque wrench, is always a wise investment and then learning to use it correctly. "We" where brought up doing it. But many no longer do (can on "moderns"). Others may have different tecniques but in general. Getting 50 mile on the clock and retorqueing, and again at 500 or so miles, back the nut off a flat at least before pulling down again. The order is in most w-s manuals as is the correct torque figure. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted September 14, 2022 Report Share Posted September 14, 2022 On 08/08/2022 at 07:37, DanMi said: I believe that Canley classics replace the not so good parts in the usual kit with better parts, but it is a very common job, the hardest part is getting the tunnel out and back in https://www.canleyclassics.com/?product=gear-change-bush-kit I wouldn't worry that they say out of stock as I believe that they put the kit together to order https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-519770 I think after this mornings run I need one of these! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTeaBiscuit Posted September 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2022 I have the option of having the head sent off to get converted to unleaded: Costs circa £600 and will take 4-6 weeks due lead (leed not led! ha) time. However I can get one from Canley for £299 Unleaded Cylinder Heads : Canley Classics Are there disadvantages to using one from Canley rather than getting my own original done? I don't need a new head but I thought as it's getting skimmed anyway might as well do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted September 20, 2022 Report Share Posted September 20, 2022 £600 sounds like a lot for a 4 cylinder unleaded conversion. Give canleys a call. They may even want your head, or be able to get yours done. Besides, Dave knows more about these cars than almost anybody else, and has access to good workshops etc. I know what I would do. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMi Posted September 20, 2022 Report Share Posted September 20, 2022 TSSC club shop says £315 (member price) that will almost certainly be your head reconditioned done by Ivor Searle who have a good reputation. £600 is just way too much, there will of course be carriage. Canleys will not be a rubbish recon. That price would include a skim, clean new guides (or bronze inserts) new valves, springs and the seats sorted, all in all about £300 is a fair price plus carriage of course their price will include labour to pack your cylinder head and send it to their reconditioners, but also consider any warranty, if you supply the reconditioned parts the garage have no responsibility for warranty of those parts so if there where to be a failure you would have to pay labour to refit, this is why I do the work myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMi Posted September 20, 2022 Report Share Posted September 20, 2022 Canleys also say built to order which probably means that they get yours rebuilt rather than exchange for an in stock unit, but cylinder heads have no serial umber anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMi Posted September 20, 2022 Report Share Posted September 20, 2022 It also depends on what the garage are costing, if they are saying it will be an extra £600 on top of removing and refitting the head that is very high, if thy are saying the total cost for head replacement and conversion will be £600 that would be a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTeaBiscuit Posted September 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2022 Perfect thanks chaps, rang this morning and hopefully going down this cheaper avenue - Canley was a 4 month lead time unfortunately, will try Ivor Searle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanMi Posted September 21, 2022 Report Share Posted September 21, 2022 2 hours ago, RichTeaBiscuit said: Perfect thanks chaps, rang this morning and hopefully going down this cheaper avenue - Canley was a 4 month lead time unfortunately, will try Ivor Searle. I would go via the club shop as it will probably be cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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