Rootes1725cc

Yet again the strain of everyday use has my old girl in bits. . This time with a leaky head gasket . . Anyone know if there is any reason one gasket supplies still supply the old style copper and steel ones wher as last time it looked like a modern type ?

And if its the old style will it be advisable to use something like well seal when it goes back on ?

My hunter with an alloy head is covered in blue sealant! Was like it when i bought it & is running ok so i'll leave it as is.I'm sure i read though in the actual Hillman workshop manual NOT to use anything on it when changing gasket.

i know.. but sealants have come on a long way since 1966.....
ill see what the head skimmers say. . .

be glad to have it back together.. hate driving the modern car about.. sooo bland

Let us know how you get on.

Hi Nick, I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion it needs skimming, gaskets can often fail and just be replaced.

Put a steel rule on the head surface to check it really has warped. I have done three engines so far and despite popular opinion they need skimming, avoided it so far. Obviously if there are some nasty corrosion pockets it might be unavoidable though.

I think I used Hylomar on one engine, but it isn't recommended (perhaps becasue of fear it will block up waterways).

End of day. . A gasket set costs as much as a skim . . So they will either skim it or hand it back to me unskimmed . They are an engine builders so I trust their judgement