Vitesse 1600 rebuild

[haggis]

Hi folks. Just wondering what my options are for head gaskets on a 1600 rebuild, assuming there aren’t Payen available?. Is it just the thin metal ones? And if so do you need to use a sealant with this type of gasket?

thanks as always. 
hag 

[Pete Lewis]

no  the 1600 has only one its a steel shim gasket   never copper or composite 

manual says use a sealer but does not specify what 

old Well seal would be ok    nothing slippery   it has to GRIP 

best to use  BL mini washer faced nuts ( good and cheap)   bet your old washers have deformed 

torque 42/46lbft     on 3/8unf studs needs a hard washer and HD nuts or you just loose torque too soon .

(if you have trouble i probably have some  HG  somewhere )

Pete

[haggis]

Thanks Pete, so what parts do you need to seal? do you put a little everywhere, or just around the bores and on both sides? 
is heldite any good? 
 

thanks 

hag 

[Pete Lewis]

dont know about heldtite   the wsm is as useual a bit vague on 1600  it just says coat 

 so to me thats a thin film on both sides  

pete

[haggis]

Thanks Pete, just getting all the bits ready for the rebuild. It’s got a copper head gasket on it at the moment. 
 

hag 

[Pete Lewis]

that   may me from a mk 2ltr   not seem a copper one on a 16    but that dosnt mean its the bible 

dont know why the 16 had the steel shim one but if kept torqued they didnt fail , cant blow out like one with fire rings 

Davevit probably has the history on the design 

Pete