Adrian,
Completely do the head while it is off. I also put in new exhaust
valves and all new valves springs in addition to valve seats and valve
guides. My rocker arms assembly was fine.
Don't forget to put the lifting padeyes back on when putting the head
back on. Makes it easier for next time.
One thing that I wish that I had done when I had the head off was to
scrape out more of the gunk between the cylinder liners and pressure blast
it out for increased water flow. Oh well, next time.
My costs for the machine work on the head was about $275. They hosed up
installing the valve springs (exhaust springs on the intake, etc.).
Happy motoring.
Bill Brewer
1960 & 1961 TR-3A's
-----Original Message-----
From: Adrian Jones <AdrianJones@compuserve.com>
To: triumphs@autox.team.net <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2000 5:59 PM
Subject: TR3 Head Gasket Update
>
>Hi folks,
>Well, the head is off and lying on the garage floor. Phew!
>
>The easy bit was getting everything out the way, thanks to Randall's tip to
>leave the carbs connected.
>
>The tough part was actually lifting the head off. After the
>"rope-down-the-plug-hole" trick, I then resorted to tapping in small
>wooden wedges (from some clothes pegs), eventually leading up to a 2x4
>lever.
>
>The gasket actually had broken along that thin strip from #3 hole to the
>water hole (next to #2). This jives with the #3 plug being visibly soaked
>with coolant when I first became aware of the problem. Also, there is a
>slight deposit here on the liner that is not present anywhere else.
>
>Should I just clean up as best I can and put in a new gasket, or should I
>take the head to a shop and have them clean it and check it out? If so,
>whats the proper ettiquette - can I leave it all oily and horrible in a
>plastic garbage bag or should I make some attempt at cleaning it up before
>bringing it to the shop?
>
>Many Thanks, Adrian (That head is quite heavy, isn't it!)
>
>
>
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