I had same gasket failure due to the indexing holes too close to the piston hole. You should find the the indexing holes bottoms out and is not a water passage, I believe they were used for the manufacturing process and nothing else. I used 1/2" brass rod to fill/close the 2 holes and fixed the problem permanently.
Thanks Andy, you're absolutely right. The holes were from the machining process and not water channels as i first thought. I believe the failure in mine to simply be that i forgot to retorque after running. That and an extra hot day were enough to blow through. Live and learn!
Hi thanks for showing your mistakes. You could save someone from making the same mistakes. When I install a head gasket I use copper coat sealer ot fills the imperfect finish on the head and block Bill
An alternative method for draining engine oil is to suck it out from the dipstick tube. I have done that successfully on a few different engines. If the suction tube doesn't get hung up somewhere while inserting it, it should work fine. I actually prefer this method if it can be done because you don't have to get under the car to drain the oil.
It's a car that was standing around for years, you've had the head off twice and never had it shimmed?!! Using no torque then knowingly too much putting it back together. You went to all this trouble to collect the car, you seem to know what needs to be done and frustrated when something goes wrong because you didn't bother! Why didn't you just drop the oil pan?!! If you get a heating issue again, which you shouldn't get at 35 or 40 degrees plus, putting the heater on full blast will help get you home, I know, I live in West Australia. Enjoying the videos even though I'm left shaking my head at times. Good luck with it all.
quality of head gasket is important. you're having unusual problems.... stipped stud and oil plug that won't budge. maybe try and remove the stud after a nice drive and the head is hot and you spray it with something before hand. careful you don't break the stud if you decide to remove it..... otherwise sometime in future when the need arises you can always tap it. oil pans are easy to replace in situ
Just make sure you get a Payen gasket because them you get with top end gasket sets are crap.. Edit to add, I commented before I saw you fitted the one in the top end set you bought..
Always loved the Spit and enjoyed your video but that disparaging remark about “old people” rankled. Hope you are lucky enough to get old and when you do remember not to go to classic events and upset all those youngsters driving cars that your generation built and preserved.
@@BritSpit Glad no harm was meant but casual ageism seems to be the last discriminatory act that is still acceptable these days and I for one am sick of it.
I had same gasket failure due to the indexing holes too close to the piston hole. You should find the the indexing holes bottoms out and is not a water passage, I believe they were used for the manufacturing process and nothing else. I used 1/2" brass rod to fill/close the 2 holes and fixed the problem permanently.
Thanks Andy, you're absolutely right. The holes were from the machining process and not water channels as i first thought. I believe the failure in mine to simply be that i forgot to retorque after running. That and an extra hot day were enough to blow through. Live and learn!
How can such a little car crush your soul. I’ve had mine since 2009. Been through many of the same issues as you had.
Hi thanks for showing your mistakes. You could save someone from making the same mistakes. When I install a head gasket I use copper coat sealer ot fills the imperfect finish on the head and block Bill
An alternative method for draining engine oil is to suck it out from the dipstick tube. I have done that successfully on a few different engines. If the suction tube doesn't get hung up somewhere while inserting it, it should work fine. I actually prefer this method if it can be done because you don't have to get under the car to drain the oil.
If you continue to have a problem with water and oil mixing, you might try having the head magna fluxed to see if there are any cracks in it.
It's a car that was standing around for years, you've had the head off twice and never had it shimmed?!! Using no torque then knowingly too much putting it back together. You went to all this trouble to collect the car, you seem to know what needs to be done and frustrated when something goes wrong because you didn't bother! Why didn't you just drop the oil pan?!! If you get a heating issue again, which you shouldn't get at 35 or 40 degrees plus, putting the heater on full blast will help get you home, I know, I live in West Australia. Enjoying the videos even though I'm left shaking my head at times. Good luck with it all.
quality of head gasket is important. you're having unusual problems.... stipped stud and oil plug that won't budge. maybe try and remove the stud after a nice drive and the head is hot and you spray it with something before hand. careful you don't break the stud if you decide to remove it..... otherwise sometime in future when the need arises you can always tap it. oil pans are easy to replace in situ
I’m about to get a spit soon!! I love your videos man!
You need to use heavy (thick) washers under the head nuts to maintain the clamping force. Better still use uprated nuts available for classic minis.
Why do people get so worked up about changing a head gasket on such a simple to access engine?
As we say in the states…. Send errr baby!
Just make sure you get a Payen gasket because them you get with top end gasket sets are crap.. Edit to add, I commented before I saw you fitted the one in the top end set you bought..
😂
You didn't have the head resurfaced and valve job done while it was apart?
I did the valves in a previous video :) car has been fine since so head is ok
Always loved the Spit and enjoyed your video but that disparaging remark about “old people” rankled. Hope you are lucky enough to get old and when you do remember not to go to classic events and upset all those youngsters driving cars that your generation built and preserved.
Twas a tongue-in-cheek comment :) I've got nothing against old people
@@BritSpit Glad no harm was meant but casual ageism seems to be the last discriminatory act that is still acceptable these days and I for one am sick of it.