[Healeys] Head Gasket Woes Part Three

[Michael Oritt]

Steven

Yours is a cautionary tale as notwithstanding all your efforts the head
cracked etc as did mine in 2001.

I did what so many of us have:  put on a DW Aluminum head with steel
gasket.  No problems since.

Best-Michael Oritt,  BN1

On Wed, Feb 23, 2022, 11:35 AM Steven Kingsbury via Healeys <
healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:

> Let me start with a little history with this email. My engine has just a
> shade under 3,000 miles on it since rebuild. The head was checked for
> cracks, none found and was ever so slightly shaved to make sure it was
> completely flat. The machine shop I use builds race engines and they do
> really good, reliable work.
> Then the block was gone through, new sleeves inserted and bored so to fit
> my new pistons. Again the top of the block was checked and double checked
> to make sure it was flat and mated to the head.
> When I fired this engine up for the first time after rebuild, she lept to
> life! No turning it over and over and over. She fired right up. I was quite
> pleased.
> I ran the engine for about twenty minutes at 2,000 RPM, never got above
> 180 degrees and then took her out on the road. I took care not to over rev,
> and drove up a long hill in third gear at low RPM to help set the rings.
> I did have some problems with the distributor, but that was fixed and at
> fifty miles I checked the head again for torque. I drove the car more and
> retorqued the head again at 150 miles, all was fine.
> I checked again at 500 miles and again at 1500 miles. All was fine.
> Anyway, this history is to let you know I think I did everything I could
> and did everything overly cautious to break this engine in correctly. And
> this engine was running great! My car was a joy to drive and loved cruising
> down the freeway at 80 mph! Seventy was a sweet spot and was a joy to
> drive.
> I'm now thinking of going with the aluminum head thanks to the combined
> wisdom of this list. Aluminum head with the steel gasket. I've heard
> nothing but good news about them and I don't want to have that worry/doubt
> while driving down the road. I am also going to continue down the path of
> fixing this head as I think it's worth it in the long run.
> I want to thank all of those sending in suggestions and tips and
> cautionary tales and things to look for and all of the views have led me to
> believe, bite the bullet and spend the money.
> Thank you all and I will report back!
> Steven Kingsbury
> BN1
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