Off Topic nightmare

[Yatesy350i]

Hi All

I'm having a continuing MG Midget nightmare. Please take a look at this link if you have any experience of repeat head gasket failure and tell me where i'm going wrong.

I just want to get this little horror back on the road so I can get it up for sale. The Wife hates it and i'm not to far behind hear after all the hassle.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Cheers Karl.

[keatsie]

It's going to be one of three things, the first the head is possibly warped and without the correct tools you cannot really tell so worth skimming, you will be surprised about the results.

The top of the block is damaged although from the pictures, yours looks ok but always difficult from pictures.

Last the studs may have stretched so when torquing down the head it's just not seating.

Personally, I would suspect the head being warped.

[marcus1875]

what engine is it? i had the same problem with A+ engine 20 odd years ago.Warped head, quite a common problem i was led to believe. thing is it was fine before i took it off, so i must have warped it torquing up in the wrong order and probably too much as well.
marcus.

[The Hatter]

What gaskets are you using; the quality varies quite a lot...

Same goes for torque wrenches, do you have confidence in the one you're using?

[RCK974X]

back in the distant mist of time, and to the best my memory....

A LONG time ago, I worked at a place where a couple of friends/work collegues used to rally Minis, and they said warped heads were a common problem with 'A' series lumps, especially when using hotter cams and manifolds, etc. The slightest doubt would result in a head skim, and they also used uprated head bolts too, but I can't remember where they came from - probably Rimmers nowadays ??

[Walford]

http://www.med-engineering.co.uk/

[Yatesy350i]

Hi All

I have been offered a good engine. So I'm going down the engine swap route rather than replacing the head.

Thanks for the comments

Karl.

[Yatesy350i]

Engine bay striped out ready for the transplant. Going to try and repaint the bay while its clear. Should be fun NOT it makes me a appreciate how much I love the Wedge. Can't wait to get this little horror finished.

[mrzigazaga]

Stick some wheel arches on it and whack a V8 in there....A whole lotta fun!...