Pinky II

[Doug]

I thought of the SH4RK thread first, but since theres no action going on with it these days, I thought of this thread next . . .

c'mon, tell me you didn't laugh

[Elanlover]

I did.................laugh that is.

[Dico]

Monty it seems the mad yanks have taken over your thread

[John_W]

Like Dico & Monty have never done that.

[Paul.P]

Like Dico & Monty have never done that.

Emmmmm, you've got a point John

[GeoffSmith]

But it obviously got the better of Doug's conscience.

Thought there should be a thread for the photoshop to play in so we can bugger up the other threads a bit less . . .

You can't beat a good hijack.

[Monty]

OK u numb heads lets get back to Pinky

Ever since i changed to Samco hoses i`ve had to keep the water reservior low as it over flowed once and knackered my coils
For a while i`ve noticed black bits in the coolant and suspected the head gasket Another thing i noticed was that all the Samco hose clips were lose whilst i was fitting the AB shortshifter the other week and can only put this down to the new hoses had shrunk slightly. Recommend everyone who`s got the Samco hose kit fitted to recheck all hose clips.

When i did my last trackday at Cadwell near the end of the day the temp went to 3/4, pulled in to the pits to let her cool. Pinky was losing coolant, looked like the coolant was coming from the bottom rad hose, so tightened the clip up and had to top the coolant up with about 2 litres of water. On that note i decided it was time to make our way home (2hr drive) and had no more temp problems.

Thought i`d check things out since i`m planning on doing a Bedford Trackday beginning of april. Ran the engine on the drive to get up to temp and checked bottom hose and doesn`t seem to be losing coolant. Checked the coolant level and can see the water isn`t clear and could smell fumes. So nipped to the local garage to do the Sniffer test and evetually the fluid in the test changed from blue to green but did take quite awhile to change and the machanic said normally if the gasket was gone would change alot quicker and he said it`s the 1st signs gasket started to give up. But should be ok for awhile and to keep an i on coolant level and temp.

So opinions please,

I`ve got Trackday in April and doing 2 trackdays in france in May.

So do i just leave it as is and keep checking coolant and do the sniffer test more frequent to see if it gets worst?

Cancel April trackday and get stuck in to stripping the head ready for france?

When doing the head should i do more work ie valve stems, clean up valves etc port and polish inlet & outlet ports (which i no nothing about )?

[Sy V]

"Cancel April trackday and get stuck in to stripping the head ready for France" after Donington.

Gets my vote.

Jay, how could you contemplate driving Pinky with an imminent problem. It's like asking a relative who has been diagnosed with heart problems to give you a push!

Well it isn't exactly, but...

[Monty]

The car is running fine, power seems to be good. So at the mo it`s not effecting performance or idle, oil is good and not losing coolant (except for the trackday which i`ve put down to the bottom rad hose clip)

When the mechanic was doing the sniffer test, at 1st i thought it going to pass as he had it on there for a couple of minutes then slowly it turn green

Going to price up the bit`s i`ll need to do the job.

Sy have u got the link to that place that does gaskets in the uk?

[Enright]

When doing the head should i do more work ie valve stems, clean up valves etc port and polish inlet & outlet ports (which i no nothing about )?

Jay,
Get one of those complete gasket kits from KMCKMC - they're well worth it. It will include the stem seals which you'd be daft not to replace while the head's off.
I'll have a head for display at Donington and can show you how to remove valves, grind them in and replace them.
Porting and polishing is up to you - it may take longer than it's worth. But you might as well while it's off if you feel up to it. Stevo did and although the head is already pretty efficient, he reckons it made a difference.

BTW have you ruled out an airlock (like due to not bleeding the system from the screw under the headlamp pod)?

[dapinky]

Monty, my 2p worth (for what it's worth........probably about 2p!)

If the head gasket is starting to go, it wont get any better on its own!

My advise is to do it asap....it will work out cheaper!

If you leave it, there is more chance of it failing completely, and the head warping. Catch it in time, and you save on the head skim (still probably worth doing, but you'll get away with a light skim to restore flatness to a corroded head - better than having to take 12 thou off to flaten a warp!)

There is a max of 16 thou which can be taken off anyway, and if it's been done previously, then it will only be fit for scrap!

Its always worth doing the valves and seals at that stage, but as for porting - i decided against it as there are easier ways of upping the power and efficiency on this engine, for less risk (not saying that you're a muppet, but unless you have access to a decent flow bench and/or know what you're doing, it is possible to make it worse! eg, pollishing to a mirror finish will take about 15 bhp OFF the power, but smothing a rough casting can add the same amount!!!!!

Simply lapping the valves in can take just an evening (including removing/refitting) and increase the seal will improve combustion ratio and therefore efficiency.

Whilst the whole lot is apart - it makes sense to open up the wastegate aswell (unless it's already done).

Having done mine, its a straightforward job - but quite time consuming!

[Monty]

Jay,
Get one of those complete gasket kits from KMCKMC - they're well worth it. It will include the stem seals which you'd be daft not to replace while the head's off.
I'll have a head for display at Donington and can show you how to remove valves, grind them in and replace them.
Porting and polishing is up to you - it may take longer than it's worth. But you might as well while it's off if you feel up to it. Stevo did and although the head is already pretty efficient, he reckons it made a difference.

BTW have you ruled out an airlock (like due to not bleeding the system from the screw under the headlamp pod)?

Neil,

Yeah thinking of getting KMCKMC gasket kit but wasn`t there an issue with his head gasket?

Since i`ve never done head work before (quite Doug ) would appreciate that offer on showing me removing valves, stem seals etc.

The coolant was leaking from the right hand side and looks like it was the bottom hose, but might of only been a samll leak which then caused an air lock

Dave

I`m undecided how much to get involved, as i`m sure in a couple of years i might do an engine rebuild ie new oversized pistons, have crank etc balanced and headwork done.

option 1, just replace head gasket which i should beable to do in a day (or maybe 2 )
option 2 is to do the head gasket + stem seals and re seat valves etc

If i do option 2 i was only thinking of polish out any rough marks but u are right i`m a numpty on this subject and will need to do some read up on this section.

BTW The wastegate is already ported

[Sy V]

Jay

There is no place in the UK - Darren sourced >20 sets a few years ago and flogged them off at cost.

I have 2 sets (KMC-type), but in time I will use them (and one more). But you're welcome to 'borrow' a set if you decide to jump earlier rather than later.

Sy

[Enright]

Yeah thinking of getting KMCKMC gasket kit but wasn't there an issue with his head gasket?

Nah, it's not even an issue. I don't have time to post the full details right now, but trust me it's fine. You just either leave out a locating dowel or remove a spacer/washer.

Since i've never done head work before (quite Doug ) would appreciate that offer on showing me removing valves, stem seals etc.

Consider it done.

The coolant was leaking from the right hand side and looks like it was the bottom hose, but might of only been a samll leak which then caused an air lock

Sounds entirely feasible, but remember Dave (as a Trumpet owner) has a lot more experience of chocolate heads that me, so I'd go with his recommendation of doing it sooner rather than when you are forced to.

I'm undecided how much to get involved, as i'm sure in a couple of years i might do an engine rebuild ie new oversized pistons, have crank etc balanced and headwork done.

I don't think even Costas went for oversized. In fact the only person I know who has is Paul Watkins, and that's cos a piston and bore were buggered.

option 1, just replace head gasket which i should beable to do in a day (or maybe 2 )

Again - feasible. But I'd go for option 2 and allow a week to do the job properly/account for cock-ups.

option 2 is to do the head gasket + stem seals and re seat valves etc

If i do option 2 i was only thinking of polish out any rough marks but u are right i'm a numpty on this subject and will need to do some read up on this section.

Dave's comments have put me right off doing any porting now!

[DeeAitch]

I once got suckered into buying an MR2 with head gasket probs. By the time I ruled out all the possibilities and pushed myself to do the change all the boiling turbulent water had eroded the head and it needed welding, never mind skimming
So I'm with Dave & Sy - if it needs doing, don't put it off!

[Monty]

Jay

I have 2 sets (KMC-type), but in time I will use them (and one more). But you're welcome to 'borrow' a set if you decide to jump earlier rather than later.

Sy

Thanks for the offer Sy, but i`ve got one on order from Micheal (kmckmc)

I`ll be doing the head after Donny and will decide then i(after Neils demo ) if to remove valves and do the oil seal stems etc. But Pinky will be at Donny

[Monty]

Need a bit of advice,

Do i need to get the head pressure tested? (as that`ll put a stop of just doing the head gasket)
Just wondering if u get combustion gases in the coolant system is this just down to the gasket or could the head be cracked

[Monty]

Started stripping the head yesterday, but it was more work than i thought. Who the hell thought of putting a bolt in the middle of the top cam cover right in front of the engine mount Had to remove the Engine mount as i couldn`t get to the tensioner to realise the cambelt Then had to remove the bracket were the PAS pump is attached and still couldn`t get the head off so had to remove the stiffy Anyways got there eventualy with the help of Dico, the gasket was shot which is good as hopefully the head isn`t warped.

Whats the best way of cleaning the top of the piston and valve area of carbon?

Just need to clean up the surface of the head and block and check to see if anything is warped or if there`s any cracks.
The sparkplugs look really clean so looks like the mixture is good

[Monty]

Well i`ve clean up the block and pistons and even gave the chassis a bit of a clean but there is some rust and the offside longeron so treated with some rust killer, which i will paint and also do the engine mount (if i can be arsed

I will do the head later as thats sat on the dining room table

[Dico]

Tell you what Geof, your spellings as bad as Montys

Can we have some info on the fxxked up samco hose please so folk know what to look out for.

And can you send a personal message to Mike just incase he misses it and holds you/lec responsible