On Saturday I decided to take the head off ZIPI. It had been running ok, the only thing wrong was that after keeping the accelerator down for a while it would idle a little quickly, then if I tapped the accelerator pedal the revs would drop and almost stall.

So I took the Carby and manifold off and gave that a good clean, there was a lot of silt and dirt in and around the components.

I got a little bit more adventurous (or there was a bad influence there...) and I took the head off. This is the first time that I have taken the head off since I have owned the car for almost 2 years. It is a 12g202 head, supposedly ported and polished (mildly) and this is what it looks like...







The block also doesn't look the best...... Can any one shed some light as to what the build up on the pistons is and if I should look to get some work done.





The bores still look in reasonably good condition.

cheers simon

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Simon
Daily Driver - Yellow Devil 76 Clubman
Restoration Project - Primer grey 66 Morris Mini Deluxe

To me it just looks like a build up of carbon , nothing too drastic . Just give the head a good clean (wire wheel in a drill) around the combustion chambers , trying not to hit the actual face of the head too much , you shouldn't be able to do too much to the face unless you hold the wheel on there for a long time anyway . Don't get too carried away trying to clean the tops of the pistons in case you drop carbon down the sides of the pistons , might hurry the wear on the rings or bore . An easier way to do this is while the motor's still running is to get a fine mist of water from a spray bottle and just spray a little at a time into the carb while it's running , can't remember the chemistry of it all but it clears a lot of the carbon out . As for the earlier bit of the idle being high till you blip the throttle , could be just a bit of wear in the throttle shaft and it sit's on one spot rather than going back to the idle adjuster screw .

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Was the head gasket burnt between [EDIT] THE POTS ON THE LEFT [EDIT??....looks to be some burning on the head.

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"Show me the Mini!"

that would be 3 and 4 mick
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

simon just put a new acl head gasket in there and she will be fine, all looks normal to me

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1974 Moke - 998cc
76 Clubman B16a2 Vtec AWD Turbo 12.9@105mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9PW49e1hYs

Let's not forget Dean touched it..

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

I would deck the head while it's off, flatness looks suss between 3 & 4 which is what burned the gasket.
Check the block for flatness too, and make sure it's CLEAN.
Best gasket for these smallbores is the ACL one.
Payen `copper' ones are not as good as they were (before they took the asbestos out..)

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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 for your help.

I had a quick look last night and the gasket wasn't blown between 3 and 4, however it was fairly black.

What is the best way to check for flatness on the block if it is still in the car?

Also, when I bought the car I was told that the head was ported and polished. Is there any way to check to see by how much or if at all?

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Simon
Daily Driver - Yellow Devil 76 Clubman
Restoration Project - Primer grey 66 Morris Mini Deluxe

Looks all gooders - the misty water thingy while the engine is running gets the carbon off really well. What happens is when the motor ignites, it flash boils the water and breaks the carbon up - look for a puff of soot from the exhaust when you do it. It is adviseable not to put too much water in there(atomiser bottle only - not the garden hose!!)as bent things will ensue.

Looks pretty tidy but as the Dr ordered, flatten it while it is orff and all will be well. Just looking at the back of the head though, look at getting that looked at as well as has the potential for air leaks...

Hooroo

Rob Forsyth
Miniot!!

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Rob Forsyth
Miniot!!

The gasket does not have to be physically blown away to allow gases to be forced between cylinders....thats why the Doc is suggesting you do the decking....

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"Show me the Mini!"

Well I have decided to get the head and block decked..

Is this an expensive exercise?

Should I take the rest of the engine out of the car and strip the block and head, then take it somewhere to be worked on/ or should I put the head back on the motor and tow the car to where ever to get the work done?

Advice please.

Cheers

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Simon
Daily Driver - Yellow Devil 76 Clubman
Restoration Project - Primer grey 66 Morris Mini Deluxe

G'Day Simon,
Welcome back.
Most places that I know send out to have the machining done. You may as well take the rest of the engine out and separate it yourself, save on labour cost. At the same time you can visually inspect the insides (oh and do the engine bay at the same time)
My vote, take it out... take it out.....

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Over 1,000,000Km, but now my retirement restoration project

What's wrong with my engine bay?

I know, I know I should fix that ding in the passenger gaurd.

If I take it apart I have to get it back on the road for March.... I am worried if I take it apart it will never be the same. It was nice and reliable.. for a mini

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Simon
Daily Driver - Yellow Devil 76 Clubman
Restoration Project - Primer grey 66 Morris Mini Deluxe

It wasn't broke and you took the head off *shakes head*

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

I'd say only get the head shaved to make sure it's flat , don't worry about the bock as it's less likely to be warped than the head , remember , it's only likely that something's warped , not certain at this stage . For some reason though there look's to be a slight problem with the gasket . Shaving the head is a lot easier than pulling the motor out , stripping it and taking the bare block in to be done as well as the head . I may well be argued with over this but that's my opinion .

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