[Fot] TR4 head gasket leak today at PIR

[Kas Kastner]

Just as a bit of information, I believe it is Snap-On that makes a special off set box end wrench (it is a "C" shape) so that you can torque the head without removing the rockers.  We used these on all the pre-delivery Triumphs cars brought into the country back in the early 60's. I believe I still have one somewhere. 
---- Tony Drews <tony at tonydrews.com> wrote: 

=============
The stock composite gasket (Payen AE 330) is the easiest to get to 
seal, and to me is the gasket of choice for at track 
repairs.  Actually, I use it always just because I hate changing head 
gaskets at the track.

You'll need to take the carbs / exhaust loose and pull the 
head.  Clean the sealing surfaces really well and check the liner 
protrusion - put a straight edge across the liner and use a feeler 
gauge to see how much they stand proud of the rest of the block.  You 
want a little protrusion but no more than say 0.005".  They should be 
even with each other as well.  A liner with 0.005" next to a liner 
with 0.002" protrusion is a problem.  Look for obvious problems like 
a crack in the block to one of the stud holes too.  If you've got 
some copper coat or Edelbrock Gaskacinch coat the gasket with that 
and install the head.  Torque to 100 ft lbs in increments (say 60 ft 
lbs, then 80 ft lbs then 100 ft lbs), working from the center to the 
ends of the head.  For the final torque I always go back to the 
center of the head after I make it to the ends because the gasket 
crushes a bit more.

Reassemble valvetrain making sure to keep the adjuster screws in the 
ends of the pushrods.  Set the valves.  Install the manifolds.  Fill 
with water, and warm it up.  After you have it hot for a bit (maybe 
run one session?), you'll want to re-torque the head.  You'll need to 
pull the rockers and the valve cover studs to do that (as you would 
have had to when removing the head).

Hope it works out for you!

Good luck, Tony Drews

At 08:28 PM 4/23/2010, Mike Mehl wrote:
>Well;
>I have been chasing some weird cooling issues which I though I has
>sorted out.  Trailerd down to Portland Intl.  made it one lap.  Didn't
>overheat it but squirted water out the overflow tank.   I did not build the
>engine and this is my first triumph.  I had some off line discussions with a
>few FOT folks trying to sort this out.  Like I said I thought I had it fixed.
>I understand there are a few tricks to assembling the head gasket.  It is
>leaking to the outside in the right front of the head.
>
>Looking for some
>tips on replacing the head gasket.
>
>thanks!!!!!
>
>Mike Mehl
>_______________________________________________
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