Hi all,

Found that my motor is starting to weep a little bit of water from the front of the block (head gasket).

Looks like it's time for a new head gasket.... Can't complain as the last one has done a great job for over 15 years.

Anyhow, have sourced a new head gasket for the 998- and it's arrived today and is a copper one. Not used a copper gasket before......

I'm running 9.1 to 1 compression ratio so am not running crazy pressures.

Just wondering what people do extra to make sure these gaskets do their job (over and above the usual stuff like cleaning block and head surfaces, ensuring straight surfaces, making sure everything is spotless)

-I've read that loctite 515 around the water holes only at the front of the block is a good idea for copper gaskets.
-I've also heard that running water only initially in the cooling system (no antifreeze etc) for a few drives prior to re-tensioning the head is also a good idea?
- what do people think about putting things like acdelco head gasket sealant all over the head gasket on both sides of the gasket -- even between the cylinder bores?


Are there any other things I can do to help ensure this copper gasket works for many years to come?

cheers

Nick

Clean, lump free faces are a great start, and the use of a gasket spray can help as well, however I have found with the copper head gaskets that it wasn't the sealing surface between the block and the head gasket which failed. Instead it is the paper(ish) gasket material used between the face and the backing which allows water or oil through.

I don't thing the filler material is very rugged at all, and will fail with the first excuse, or not at all. It is like the paper parts to allow the fluid through the gap.

I've had one fail out of the packet because of this at the right hand rear corner on a 1275 allowing oil from an oil feed to the head to drain down the block, and another at the center to right front allowing water to escape. But then others have them work just fine. But for my time and effort, I'll go for something else.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Thanks Mick

would you suggest i throw away the copper gasket and get a different type?

If so, any suggestions as to what type and where i can get it from? I am happy to wait a few weeks (not an urgent requirement right now).

Copper head gaskets have been rubbish ever since they took the asbestos out.
Get an ACL Monotorque gasket, they are the best for any smallbore A series motor, even turboed ones.
Made in Australia.
They are pretty cheap too. Under $20 at www.karcraft.com.au

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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 much appreciated.

Have emailed karcraft and will give them a call tomorrow.

If these copper gaskets are rubbish then I'd rather not waste my time with it.

How bad is your current one weeping , mine has been doing this for years , ( just weeping , mainly on long runs ) it is not a problem .

Years ago they used to paint the copper head gaskets with Silver frost paint .

Karcraft carries the ACL Monotorque VRS set too, = head + manifold + rocker cover gaskets, + valve stem seals, a bit over 30 bux.

ps. don't believe the Monotorque blurb on the packaging, it's worth checking the head nut tension again after 500-1000 miles.

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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.

I agree Goodie, it doesnt appear to affect the car in any way - no noticable drop in coolant level / loss or impact on compression in compression accross cylinders etc.

I still might change it though as while I am in there i can check out the head, valve seats guides seals etc as it could do with some new valve stem seals at least.

The VRS gasket seems like very good value given this...thanks Drmini.

ACL now officially out of business and karcraft have no more in stock.... bummer.

Any suggestions on the next best thing?

See if Lindsay has any left-
http://www.minis.com.au/minis/catalog/p ... cts_id=741

also, PM sent.

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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 all.

I bought a couple of ACL head gaskets from Lindsay at Minis Plus as per DrMini's suggestion.

cheers

Nick

Hi

Just on the status of ACL. Yes it went into receivership, but i thought administrators were looking for buyers and the business was to be continuing to trade... has anyone an update .. no update on their web page since this time last year.... hope someone buys them and they can continue to produce quality parts Darryl

I was told that ACL shut down about 4 weeks ago.

I was told their gasket factory in Brisbane is shut, but the bearing factory in Tassie is not... yet.

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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.