I have a Mk1 Cooper S head (refer thread http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=87550). It's now at the machine shop being crack tested.

So my questions for the purists, if everything is good should I leave it as is or get it fully reconditioned? If I recondition it should I reseat the valves for unleaded fuel?

At the moment I figure to leave as is, as unmolested as possible as anything done can't be undone!

<mod edited - if you're gonna talk about purists, you really ought to spell it right>

There's no scale of economy if it stays at the machine shop for further work.

You really need to work out what you want to do with it. New guides are always good if the old ones are worn (and not expensive), and you can't re-seat the valves until you work out if the guides are worn.

I would wait for the outcome of the crack testing, check the guides and go from there. If its not cracked, then a hot tank is always a good place to start before doing other work.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

I have been running a Mk2 head on my car and have a good Mk1 head on the shelf. I will be putting the AEG163 on it on the next rebuild. I won't be doing the unleaded conversion because of 3 reasons. 1. I want it to remain as close to standard as possible. 2. I won't be doing the km's to justify the extra expense and am happy to run additive in fuel. 3. I have seen a Mk 1 head machined through to the water gallery whilst getting the unleaded conversion. I am sure that it can be done but there is not much meat around the seats.

That's kinda where I left it. I've asked the machine shop if the crack testing is good to check the guides and dip it. I'm more just wondering if the purest would leave it needing a fuel additive or if reseating for unleaded fuel is acceptable?

There's a lot to lose if they bore through. All or nothing.
I would leave it as is till I decided if I was to chance it for my own use, or leave it to the person who will eventually use it.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

You will be very lucky if you can get exhaust seats for unlead fitted in an AEG163 as there is no surplus metal to machine into around the exhaust valve. You may run the risk of a seat falling out!. I would be using lead additive.

Thin inserts are available and work extremely well in Mk 1 heads. We use them in all our 1275 unleaded heads without problems. Any decent head shop will have no problems fitting them for you.

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Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

Oops..... My bad I was in the top 99% for spelling at school!


Anyway, great new Just got a call from the machine shop - no cracks Value guides need replacing and three of the inlet valve (might as well replace them all)

That's good news. It will come up a treat I hope once its done.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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