[Healeys] Head gasket

[Bob Spidell]

Interesting thread. I'd always heard it was gospel that when you 
overhauled an engine you used new head studs/bolts. But, when I last had 
my BJ8 overhauled few years ago the mechanic, a very meticulous Kiwi at 
a local speed shop--who also happened to be a licensed aircraft 
mechanic--reused the ones in the engine which, AFAIK, were original (the 
car had about 200K miles). It's run great for going on 7K miles.

I had a Payen top end gasket set I'd bought years ago and used its head 
gasket. I've heard some scuttlebutt about Payen no longer being made in 
England, but can't confirm it.

Bob

On 2/9/2021 6:30 PM, Alan Seigrist wrote:
> My BJ8 probably has 150K miles on it done this way, never touched the 
> head after replacing the head gasket in all that time.
>
> On Wed, Feb 10, 2021 at 6:36 AM healeyguy--- via Healeys 
> <healeys at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net>> wrote:
>
>     Fred
>     There are multiple thousands of Austin Healey 6 cylinder cars on
>     the road today using Payden original style head gaskets, original
>     studs and nuts, installed to factory specs without having a
>     monumental failure rate.
>     If your car is a driver, not a race car, build it accordingly.
>     Perry
>
>
>     -----Original Message-----
>     From: Fred Wescoe <fredwescoe at gmail.com <mailto:fredwescoe at gmail.com>>
>     To: healeys <Healeys at autox.team.net <mailto:Healeys at autox.team.net>>
>     Sent: Tue, Feb 9, 2021 12:48 pm
>     Subject: [Healeys] Head gasket
>
>     Listers,
>
>     I am thoroughly confused and baffled and I need help.
>
>     I need to replace the head gasket on my 66 BJ8.  Moss shows three
>     different gaskets ranging from $49 to $229.  Moss shows a $64
>     complete kit for all gaskets including the head gasket.  Moss
>     shows short head studs vs long head studs and they show a "High
>     Strength Head Stud Set" ranging in price from $8.99 each to
>     $229.99 for the "Set".
>
>     I have read (on the Moss site) that ARP makes the high strength
>     stud.  ARP has asked me for the length of the stud, the diameter
>     of the stud and the thread size.  I have also read that Summit
>     sells the studs and they are asking me the same questions as ARP.
>
>     So, the questions are what is the info on the stud sizes, high
>     strength vs regular strength (same for the nuts and washers), long
>     or short studs, who to buy from, who is the source for the best
>     head gasket (what thickness) and what else do I need to know.  The
>     manual says 75 ft lbs of final torque in three stages.  Should I
>     be a bit more than that or stick with the book?
>
>     As you can see, I really need expert advice before I screw things
>     up.  I do not race the car so it is stock.
>
>     Thanks for the help,
>
>     Fred
>
>     66 BJ8
>

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