[Healeys] Head Gasket

[Alan Seigrist]

Henry -

All water passages in Austin motors are done like this.  This is because
the water pump is on the front of the motor, and the water outlet is in the
front of the motor, so the jacket forces water to the back on the block
then back to the front on the head, but also needs some cool water in the
front too.  it’s meant to make sure the water is the same temp whether it’s
in the front or the back of the engine.  Don’t mess with the passages or
you’ll end up with hot spots on the motor.

Best,

Alan

On Thu, 24 Feb 2022 at 4:03 AM, Henry G Leach via Healeys <
healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:

> Has anyone ever stuck a magnet to a Payen *copper* gasket? I did-its a
> steel gasket with a copper coating. There is a real engineering issue with
> the 2660cc block and I am not sure why it is configured as it is. There may
> have been a study done on the engine's water flow way back then and some
> modifications made for cooling. It does not add up or make sense, however.
>
> So, look at this head and the gasket and then the block. Why are the water
> passages reduced on the jackets shown?  Then too, why is there no passage
> in one area marked that is actually open for water on the head* and*
> gasket? This is one "hot spot" found between 2-3 cylinders when read with a
> heat gun.
>
> I was tempted to drill out the opening in the block before re-assembling
> my head, but thought better of it. I would never question engineering
> technology of BMC. Modern day replacements have that same area blocked.
> Never-the-less, can anyone explain this concept to me; the reason for this
> and a 4lb. radiator cap. This engine needs water, lots of it to keep it
> cool. Why restrict it?  Then too, aluminum has its own set of issues that
> may/may not improve the cooling capacity of some old, thick cast iron
> block. Maybe throwing money at it has an effect.  Hank
>
> -----------------------------------------
> From: gradea1 at charter.net
> To: "Steven Kingsbury"
> Cc: "Healey Mail List"
> Sent: Tuesday February 22 2022 12:23:07PM
> Subject: RE: [Healeys] Head Gasket Woes Part Two
>
> Steven-that's a real heavy piston at .060 (compression ratio 9:1?) Was
> there any defect in head prior to assembly? Magnafluxed? There is an outfit
> Midwest Cylinder Head that can repair that for about $500, or else is on to
> Denis Welch for about $4K.
>
> I just had my head off and checked-they shaved .003 to get it flat.
> Fingers crossed-head gasket was not blown, but water in oil. I'm hoping it
> was water intrusion from rocker studs. Hank
>
> -----------------------------------------
> From: "Steven Kingsbury via Healeys"
> To: "Healey Mail List"
> Cc:
> Sent: Tuesday February 22 2022 11:28:21AM
> Subject: [Healeys] Head Gasket Woes Part Two
>
> Luckily the pistons weren't frozen, nor the rings in the pistons, but when
> I turned the head over to inspect, I got the really bad news.
>
> [image: INBOX530788498d9fa86f504913dab139d4d9ef6]
>
> Oh well. I guess some JB Weld might hold!?  Ha! Damn it Jim.
> S
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