Puglet1 Posted July 25 Report Share Posted July 25 I’m trying to identify if my cylinder head is the original one. It has an unleaded head fitted by the previous owner- Rimmers I believe. I’ve seen an image on the internet and it looks like the number should sit on the flat surface between the head studs ( doesn’t say what cylinder). Can anyone tell me exactly where the stamped number is? I have attached a photo. Thank you. Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 25 Report Share Posted July 25 It's on the left side betweren the two rearmost cylinder head studs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted July 25 Author Report Share Posted July 25 Brilliant. Thanks John. I’ll check it out 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted July 25 Author Report Share Posted July 25 Just had another look and struggling to find the number- probably due to my poor eyesight. There is a raised casting number towards the front of the engine which I think says 307837 - see photo. When I googled this number it came up as a TR250 head. Does this make sense? If so, is it a good head or should I be looking for another one? If I remember correctly, when I adjusted the tappets, the adjustment screw was wound in almost to the top of its thread . Could this be due to a pushrod length difference? Is the car safe to drive without risking damage to the engine? What are my next best steps to take? In the meantime I will continue my search for the stamped number in the daylight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 (edited) Here's my Aug 68 Mk2 Vitesse Head Numbers, I've had the car since 1970 and NEVER lifted the head still holding 170psi over 6 cylinders. I understood that the Vitesse used a TR5 head? Edited July 26 by Peter Truman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 This from Chris Witor is very helpful even though Ive had to copy it sideways🤔 Ive seen some heads where the stamped number is between the first two studs on the manifolds side. Pete yours does look like its from a TR5 being thicker (measure it?) and with longer pushrods... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted July 26 Author Report Share Posted July 26 Thanks johny I’ll measure it later today and let you know what I find 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 yes that looks like the stamped number - not very clear but not necessary anyway as seems that casting was only used on the TR250. It has the bigger exhaust valves and is essentially the same but would have used the longer pushrods which probably arent easy to find... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 oh looks like Rimmers do them part number 148916? However if your adjuster reaches ok not much the point in changing... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 4 hours ago, Peter Truman said: Here's my Aug 68 Mk2 Vitesse Head Numbers, I've had the car since 1970 and NEVER lifted the head still holding 170psi over 6 cylinders. I understood that the Vitesse used a TR5 head? Peter, those are casting numbers. Only the number stamped intonthe head on the opposite side ( you show the right) is usefulness identifying the model it came from. Piglet, maybe that has misled you, but your pic also shows the right hand side. The relevant number is on the left. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 Perhaps this will clarify it. You can see the stamped number between the two far right stud holes👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 My apologies! I was trying to do it from memory!! front and right side it is! Yours will be here, puglet: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted July 26 Author Report Share Posted July 26 Hello all. I have looked again and still cannot see the id number. I have also measured the cylinder head thickness but not sure if I’ve done it in the correct place? The measurement is roughly 3.400 inches. Still struggling to identify the head, any other suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 the only one on chris's list is 307837 from TR250 but yours resembles 307237 the 2 is a bit unclear and 3.4" is used on a good few others unless you need real detail i think take that is is triumph and just drive the thing would that work ha ! that heads been on for a loooong time looking at the threads conditions Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 Stamped number could well have been removed and it looks like the head thickness has been reduced. Does the engine serial number match what you would expect? Another interesting check would be to confirm whether the pistons are flat or dome top - you should be able to do this through the spark plug holes... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 he is too big to fit down a plug hole ha ! good idea Whats the engine number ???????????????????? Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted July 26 Author Report Share Posted July 26 Hi Pete. HC 58239HF. The head was sent to Rimmers several years ago for unleaded conversion by the previous owner so this is the anomaly at the moment. johny. I will remove a spark plug when I can return the garage again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 Oh another interesting point would be the compression readings you get Pete? I love giving other people jobs😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 3 hours ago, Puglet1 said: sent to Rimmers several years ago one wonders if he got his orig head back or some other the crap head gasket my local sent back with a complaint had a reply and photo of something completely different and disclaimer for any problems ..... Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted July 26 Author Report Share Posted July 26 Pete. Who knows? I don’t want to immobilise the car at the moment by removing the cylinder head so I’m thinking about looking for a second hand one that can be overhauled before fitment. What is the best head to look which can be fettled slightly to give a little more power? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 26 Report Share Posted July 26 Wait a minute youve got to be a bit careful here as it comes down to the pistons youve got fitted. If flat you want a head 3.3" deep, part number 517610 (why I suspect with your current 3.4" head you'll be down on compression). However if domed the shallower head would give too high a compression and so you already have the right one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted July 27 Report Share Posted July 27 20 hours ago, JohnD said: Peter, those are casting numbers. Only the number stamped intonthe head on the opposite side ( you show the right) is usefulness identifying the model it came from. John Found it John at the front RHS number 517528, had to rub some surface rust off, only lightly stamped into the cast iron, interesting you were half right, whilst not on the LHS the stamping is pointing inwards towards the rocker cover, so easier to read from the LHS. Interestingly the official "Leyland Vitesse 2 Lt Mk2 Spare Parts Catalogue" doesn't list the bare head part number, but only the Cylinder Head Assembly with valves, springs etc 517609, & less valves, springs etc 517610 (I assume it has the guides). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 27 Report Share Posted July 27 Hi Peter, does your head depth also correspond with the Witor list ie 3.3" deep? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted July 27 Report Share Posted July 27 Will check tomorrow, too miserable tonight to go out to the garage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 27 Report Share Posted July 27 back to basics why do you want to swap the head ??? whats the problem ??? if the heads working fine you could get a thin skim to raise compression what the compression test going to tell you ??? dont jump into the black art of guesswork till you know what you have and what you want or expect !!! Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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