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Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 6:32 am
by 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.
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:35 pm
by 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.
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 3:55 am
by 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.
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:50 am
by mk1
Goodness me Leon!
That is quite a haul.
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 1:11 pm
by 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.

Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:35 pm
by 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.
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 2:17 pm
by 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

Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:17 pm
by mk1
Leon,
Where is the Weslake head leaking?
What can / can't be done depends on where it is leaking from.
M
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:21 pm
by rich@minispares.com
gpmini wrote: 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......
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:33 pm
by mk1
Whatever you do. . . . DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH Dean Daniels of WESLAKE HERITAGE!
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 3:58 pm
by gpmini
lol. No relation to me!
Leon Daniels

Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 4:01 pm
by mk1
Ha, ha, ha. . . Now that is unfortunate

Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 5:25 am
by Astro
Hi,
Weslake.co.uk announces new products. Does anyone know, what has changed with them?
Regards.
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 1:51 pm
by mk1
Nothing will have changed with Dean. He'll still be a fool who promises the earth & deliveres bugger all.
M
Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 6:36 pm
by Astro
OK, my new old Longman will survive.

Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 9:45 pm
by 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
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Re: Weslake or Arden 8 port
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 1:43 am
by 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.