Put on a re-conditioned head about a month back; after running for a week or so I retightened the head, rechecked all of the valve clearances, new spark plugs and points, bla bla bla

Coming home from work this morning, stopped for petrol, then she wouldn't start first go as per normal - started on the third go and a big cloud of white smoke came pouring out the exhaust - very unusual. Plus it sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders for 10 seconds or so

Got home and after it had cooled down for 30 minutes, I started the car and there's air bubbles coming up in the radiator - I think this means a cracked head doesn't it?????

Had a look at the plugs - not wet at all. What the hell is happening????

_________________
Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/

blown head gasket. 2 hours to fix.

Cheers

Aaron

_________________

could it be a head gasket
bubbles in rad usually point to this

was it smoke or steam coming from the exhaust?

Could indeed be head gasket.

Is it a different head to what you had previously? A crack in the head could also be an option, but check the gasket first.

This time around, buy an ACR brand Monotorque head gasket from Repco or similar (repco is cheapest I think). I have had no problems with Lillee's new head so far... Hope things work out for you

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

yep....I'm also thinking head gasket but for *****'s sake, this is about the 4th one in six months. This makes me think there's something more sinister.

I'll definately get a gasket from a different source this time - maybe a crook batch on the shelf from my usual source??????? but who knows.

Will keep you informed. Reckon I could change a head gasket in a few hours now with all the practise I've had this year

_________________
Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/

How flat is the top of the block? I'd check the top of the block with a steel ruler when the head is off.

Just a thought...

_________________

I''d check the head for flatness too.
What gasket was it/ Copper ones have given trouble lately, particularly on small bores. As Chong says the ACL gasket is the best at the moment, I don't think anybody has blown one yet.
If it's a 1275, go the Payen BK450 black one, not the copper....

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

It's a reco head as far as I know...

_________________

still, check it. don't assume it's (still) flat.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

As far as head gaskets go, how about the Metro Turbo item?

My mate with the Nb racer has had alot of trouble with copper head gaskets lately , but the Metro Turbo on eseems to be holding on fine...

_________________
Cheap, Fast, Reliable. Choose two.

Problem with the `copper' gaskets is they took the asbestos out, and put SFA back in- so they are no longer durable.

The BK450 I recommended IS the turbo gasket.

BTW I'd retighten it when hot, then check it again in a week or so. If you haven't already.
If you use an ACL `Monotorque' gasket (for 850/998/1098), don't believe the blurb, check it too.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Good thought about retightening it 'hot' Doc...........never thought about it before but it makes sense, but maybe I've already stuffed this gasket.

Couple of weeks back when I put on the re-co'ed head, I checked the block with a straight edge and feeler guages........no aparent problem there.

The gaskets I've used arn't copper - don't know who the manufacturer is.

I'm lucky - got two different torque wrenches so I use one set at pounds/foot and then check it with the other set on Nm and tighten in the correct sequence and in 3 stages - 20 pounds, 30 and finally 42, so you can imagine, I'm getting really pissed off with it all. However, thanks for the help guys.

_________________
Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/

The old rule of thumb from way back is that alloy heads are retightened when cold, iron heads when hot.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks Doc......I didn't know that.

Cheers

_________________
Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/