Llama Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 So as well as the radiator hose I blew the head gasket the other day. Head is off, will be taking into machinists to get looked at/planed ASAP (anyone have any recommendations?), but is there anything else I should be doing? Will the valves be ok? pushrods etc? I'm probably going to be replacing all the intake and exhaust manifold gaskets because they are poked, and depending on how long the head takes will be looking at the crabs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Don't bother taking the head to the machinist (unless you want to bump compression) cast iron heads rarely warp to the degree of aluminium heads. Just clean it all up immaculate (best way to clean the block is to remove the headstuds) Then put a strip of emery cloth on a piece of wood and sand the block and the head mating surfaces in a cross hatch pattern until they are good enough to lick. Throw it back together with a full gasket set.. IMPORTANT NOTE - CAST IRON HEADS ARE RETORQUED WHEN THE ENGINE HAS BEEN HOT AND UP TO TEMPRETURE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 This is actually a pretty good video.. he uses a sharp edged bit of bar stock and some Motorcraft product rather than emery cloth and a block of wood but it gives the basic technique... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 I see I see. So little chance of it being cracked then? Don't think I'd be able to get anything done this side of christmas anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Very little chance TBH.. Unless you got it stratospherically hot and in that case your ring tension would also be a concern.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 Yeah I don't think it was that bad. It managed to get up to Orewa and back before it started smoking enough to notice... (oops) Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punkoutnz Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Have access to a torque wrench and other such things also if you need them, just holla. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Aite, head checked out ok, but getting it planed, and the exhaust valves resurfaced. Also getting some of the head/block holes size matched (since it is apparently a new head on a older block?). Probably going to get them to put it back together, just because it'll be faster and I would like my car for Christmas. Motorbike sounding much easier to work on atm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seedy Al Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 was going to suggest getting some hardend valves seats sorted in case it hadnt been done in the past. but then again, its a mgb motor, head comes off in like 3 min flat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Thought about it, but was going to be $200ish? Don't really have the money right now, not like I daily it either. Head pull out took me 25 min, not too bad for a first time. Longest part was removing the headers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOHC Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 north shore engine reconditioners, 6 Hillside Road Glenfield is a good guy to talk to and get work done, or Carr Engine services, 63 Carr Road Mount Roskill. they do all the old stuff and seem to me much cheeper than other shops if you need heads planed or cylinders bored Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaMpylobacter Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Don't bother taking the head to the machinist (unless you want to bump compression) cast iron heads rarely warp to the degree of aluminium heads. Just clean it all up immaculate (best way to clean the block is to remove the headstuds) Then put a strip of emery cloth on a piece of wood and sand the block and the head mating surfaces in a cross hatch pattern until they are good enough to lick. Throw it back together with a full gasket set.. IMPORTANT NOTE - CAST IRON HEADS ARE RETORQUED WHEN THE ENGINE HAS BEEN HOT AND UP TO TEMPRETURE!!! I'm no tradesman and I respect your opinion more than most jokers but for peace of mind I'd tend to get it check out by the head shop at the least? also slam stem seals and get guides checked out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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