More head gasket woes

[Jasonking]

Removed head today, all cylinders had water in them, one over an inch deep! Gonna rebuild with Minispares copper gasket this time, water jacket on the block full of muddy water, guess from the heater for the few minutes engine ticked over. I am officially pissed off

[Vortz marcos]

Years ago an old fella always used to tell me to use the copper head gaskets on old minis. He said that those modern grey material type gaskets are no good on old engine designs.

[gs.davies]

I used the Minispares competition copper gasket on my car (1098cc)

It got thrashed across Europe last year, and is holding tight, over 7000 miles later. We did chuck a barrs leaks in it on the Italy trip, but I personally don’t think there was ever anything wrong with the gasket, precautionary measure really.

Have you checked all the studs, maybe renewed them, not over torquing them (and is your torque wrench correctly calibrated)? Are the head and block mating surfaces perfectly flat and clean, particularly around the stud holes?

[Jasonking]

I’ve checked my Norbar torque wrench with two other Teng wrenches, all well within specifications, have fitted new studs and nuts with copper gasket, hopefully no issues this time

[Jasonking]

Didn’t know Minispares do a copper competition gasket? Do it fit the 850? Far as I can tell surfaces are flat and true, car didn’t blow head gasket (don’t think so anyway) it’s difficult to ascertain any of its previous history.

[timmy201]

I’ve had good luck with the Victor Reinz small bore head gasket so far

http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... 506VR.aspx