MG ZR Head Gasket Dilema!

[richies2.0gl]

I had a 2004 1.4 MGZR dropped off at the workshop yesterday. It had been dismantled (head removed, no liner clamps). The car was reversed off of the truck and into my workshop. I later noticed the car was left in 3rd gear when rolled off the truck, therefore the engine had been turned in reverse without liner clamps in place.

What I need to know is would have this caused the liners to come adrift? They all look fine and are all flush with the block. And would the main bearings be disturbed?

The engine on inspection looks fine and it was brought in to us for a head skim and re-assembly (head gasket failure) because the owner did not have the time to complete the job.

I have turned the engine to re-allign the crankshaft timing mark and like I have said, all seems well with the engine with regards to the liners, they seem to have escaped any damage caused by our driver leaving the car in gear!!!

Many thanks! Richard.

[DVandrews]

Sounds like the liners have stayed put. The mains will be fine. You have been lucky.

If the liners are flush wuth the block then you will have some issues when you replace the head, the liners need to be 4 thou proud of the block if you want the gasket to last.

Dave

[Pushrod-Power]

Its not the liners that get damaged/move but you do lose the clamping on the crankshaft main bearing girdle/carrier and this can cause bearing damage if the crankshaft is forced to turn hence why the engine will not freely rotate with the cylinder head bolts removed and is timed in a safe position for refitting

[richies2.0gl]

Well, after some concern of possible damage, all is now well with the MG. It was re-assembled this morning and now runs sweet. Its a case of a lesson learned! I think we have been lucky this time. Thank you.

[Kitchski]

When rebuilding my ZS's K-series I had previously been locked in discussion with a mate about why you must not drop head bolts in to their holes from the top and how you should place them in there carefully.

The next day I took the grinder out and made a groove in an old head bolt to act as a thread cleaner. One of them was a bit manky and became tricky to turn. Once I'd removed the oil ladder rail, I unwound it, then rewound it many times until it was nearly clear and gave it a few sharp prods with the bolt to get the swarf to exit through the bottom (sump was off).

I stood back and decided I'm probably the biggest tt I know. Got away with it though!