Weslake or Arden 8 port

[Astro]

Hi,

We bought one from Weslake, prepared an engine for, installed it in a car and started the engine. After five minutes there was a lot of white smoke. I disassembled the head, made a pressure test and learned, that one outlet, it probably has been porous, was braised. There have been still these little metallic pearls from melting the braised part. We now even saw by slightly different colours, that there was more braising. But just an outlet will become too hot that it will keep the braised part in shape. If you just make a pressure test with a cold head, you will not run into such problems.

[Austin Costin]

Astro, are you still waiting for your replacement head ? Did you sort the one you had ? Are Weslake still planning on producing the heads ? Cheers Paul.

[Astro]

Hi,

I returned it at once and was promised to have another one as soon as possible. Later on I saw this head at the Facebook page of Restoration and Racing. We had a nice talk, nevertheless there is nothing new from Weslake.

[mk1]

Goodness me Leon!

That is quite a haul.

[mk1coopers]

I'm not sure that there's anyone out there that's actually got one of these 'new' 8 port iron heads that hasn't caused a problem, either that or they haven't been delivered to them yet.

[Astro]

when just preparing a 1275 GT group 1, I learned, that it is not very drivable. A 300° cam together with the other homologated parts, there is not much torque. When going to a group 2, the Arden is not possible, that means, we must use a 5-port for a good Weslake seems not to be available. Again, that means a 1275 GT, even with slicks of that period, will be slower than an older S with an Arden head? I always speak about hill climbing.

[gpmini]

The Weslake head has been tested and as suspected leaks like a sieve. Is there any way such a head can be salvaged? Maybe there are modern coating techniques? Or if someone wants to copy the design and re-cast a few heads let me know. I'd be happy to supply this head in exchange for one of the new cast ones

[mk1]

Leon,

Where is the Weslake head leaking?

What can / can't be done depends on where it is leaking from.

M

[rich@minispares.com]

I'd be happy to supply this head in exchange for one of the new cast ones

I suspect that you would simply be leaping from the frying pan into the fire......

[mk1]

Whatever you do. . . . DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH Dean Daniels of WESLAKE HERITAGE!

[gpmini]

lol. No relation to me!

Leon Daniels

[mk1]

Ha, ha, ha. . . Now that is unfortunate

[Astro]

Hi,

Weslake.co.uk announces new products. Does anyone know, what has changed with them?

Regards.

[mk1]

Nothing will have changed with Dean. He'll still be a fool who promises the earth & deliveres bugger all.

M

[Astro]

OK, my new old Longman will survive.

[mzmini]

I was lucky enough pick an 8 port engine fitted with a Downton Weslake with Downton inlets I took it to my brother local BMC wizard to have it rebuilt when my friend Len Chandler met the guy when we dropped the engine off he informed me that the engine was being built by Richard Miles who was the Downton agent in London I couldn't belive my luck, he was able to authenticate the parts are genuine . I bought a 1275 GT Clubman to do some road rallying but other things took over the unit's all ready to go but I sold the shell so just collecting dust sadly

[Astro]

Hello,
if you would ever have sold it, it’s a pity that I did not know it before. We just build a new 5-port for the 1275GT, for the 8–port head we paid years ago, did not yet arrive.