[Healeys] Head weight

Wed Oct 27 06:30:25 MDT 2021

"my 30 something friend Dan might be cheesed as being referred to as
elderly!" .... Sorry Ryan 🤣🤣

On Wed., Oct. 27, 2021, 8:23 a.m. , <m.g.sharp at sympatico.ca> wrote:

> Fred, I can add to Mike’s comment as it is my BT7 we were working on.  We
> had used the head gasket that came with the head set supplied by MOSS.  As
> the engine warmed up I had coolant leaking out almost the entire length of
> the block/head seam, and coming up through several of the head studs.  This
> was not a localized leak and I would describe it as complete failure of the
> gasket as far as the coolant passages are concerned.  There was no evidence
> of oil leakage, but I think I am correct in saying that all but one of the
> oil passages between the head and block are for drainage back down to the
> sump and thus not under pressure.  There was no water/steam in the exhaust
> and the car fired evenly (it sounded great!) and no coolant in the
> cylinders after we removed the head, so it looks like just the coolant was
> leaking.  However remember the motor had been running for only about 15 min
> total over several gentle warm/cool cycles.  FYI, I use a correct 7 lb rad
> cap.
>
>
>
> On removing the head we could find no evidence of any problem.  The gasket
> looked fine, so we really do not know the cause of the failure.  This was a
> complete rebuild so both the head and the block faces were machined.
>
>
>
> I ordered a “Premium” head gasket which was supplied by A-H Spares via
> Healey Autofarm here in Ontario (thanks Amanda for the quick service).  My
> understanding (i.e., I don’t know for a fact) is that A-H Spares has these
> Premium gaskets made and supplies them to others, including MOSS.  It is
> pricey and the prices vary, so shop around.  Neither Mike nor I could
> discern any visible difference between the “regular” head gasket and the
> Premium one (except for the part number), although we did not measure the
> thickness and the material that is sandwiched between the copper/steel
> outer layers may well be a different material or thickness.
>
>
>
> There is much debate about using a gasket dressing or not and I have never
> seen any actual evidence that using it helps the sealing; it is all
> anecdotal evidence (e.g., “I have/have not used a head dressing for 40
> years and never had a problem”).  Neither Mike nor I have ever used a head
> gasket dressing in other rebuilds so although we discussed it we did not
> apply any.  Curiously, the MOSS tech expert finally responded to my request
> to discuss the issue (about a 3 week response time!).  He has apparently
> rebuild many Healey engines and always uses a gasket dressing.  Take what
> you want from that.  He had no explanation or helpful suggestions that Mike
> and I had not already discussed.
>
>
>
> The head is now torqued down and the rocker shaft is on and torqued.  I
> plan to get everything else bolted up this week and will re-start the
> engine, perhaps tomorrow.  I’d be grateful if all listers could keep their
> fingers crossed tomorrow in the hopes that positive vibes will compensate
> for any lack of quality in current head gaskets for Healeys.
>
>
>
> BTW, it was two elderly folk and one pretty strong young buck that removed
> the head w/manifolds – my 30 something friend Dan might be cheesed as being
> referred to as elderly!  I had lifted the head with manifolds once before
> so knew it could be done, but this was a BT7 and I am unfamiliar with the
> details of a BJ7 engine bay and whether there are any added complications.
> I suggest if you lift it with the manifolds, rest the head on top of the
> studs when you lift it and remove the two intake manifold drain pipes, and
> do the same in reverse (as they are a real bugger to get on later) and you
> would have to lift the head very high when removing if you left them on.
> Frankly, use of an engine lift/chain fall would be safer (but less
> exciting) if you have access to one.
>
>
>
> Stay tuned!  Mirek
>
>
>
> *From:* Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> *On Behalf Of *Michael
> Salter
> *Sent:* October 26, 2021 10:24 PM
> *To:* healeys <Healeys at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] Head weight
>
>
>
> We are struggling with head gasket problems on a newly rebuilt engine BT7
> engine at present so will be following this discussion closely.
>
> Regarding lifting the head off with the engine in the car.
>
> With the manifolds on we managed reasonably easily with 1 person on each
> side lifting the rear of the head and 1 at the front. Bit of a grunt but
> possible with 3 somewhat elderly folks.
>
>
>
> M
>
>
>
> On Tue., Oct. 26, 2021, 10:15 p.m. Fred Wescoe via Healeys, <
> healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:
>
> Listers,
>
>
>
> It appears that I may have to pull the head (some oil in the radiator
> fluid) on my 66 BJ8 and I may (likely) have to replace the head gasket.  I
> am going to leave the engine in the car.  I have pulled the head of my BJ7
> but that was many years ago.  I will need help physically (I'm older now)
> to pull the BJ8 head.  Does anyone know what the *actual weight* of just
> the head is?  I need to determine how many people I need to help me.  Of
> course, I will remove everything from the head before pulling it and then
> place a straight edge on the head and block to determine if I have
> additional issues to deal with.  Hopefully not but I will check.
>
>
>
> Do I use sealant on the new head gasket and if so what type?   One side or
> both sides?
>
>
>
> After the recent discussion on Moss and their prices and quality, what are
> the thoughts about sources for a good quality head gasket, without being
> gouged.  Entering the cold months, I have plenty of time to do this right.
> Is there anything I should be on the lookout for, or check before buttoning
> up things?
>
>
>
> I want to do this just once but I do want to do it completely and
> correctly.  So, any words of wisdom are certainly appreciated.
>
>
>
> Thanks as always,
>
>
>
> Fred
>
> 66BJ8
>
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