Replacing cylinderhead

[John Mason]

I have read this thread with interest. Could it be possible that the problems with head Gaskets not sealing and allowing water seepage into the bores could be caused by how the head is replaced. I have been involved with seven for the last 20 years and in that time done 6 head replacements and only one case caused leakage problems (that being caused by uneven mating surfaces). I only use a smear of GP grease to both side of the gasket then tighten down in the sequence shown in Woodrow. I never use a torque wrench just a normal length spanner to hand tight. I then run the engine up to hot and again tighten again in sequence to hand tight whilst still hot. I think when hot the studs expand greater than the head thus allowing space to tighten again sealing all water, oil and gas passages between block and head. This is so what different to a lot of mechanics who let the head cool again before re tightening. This is of course only with cast iron heads. Ally heads only to be rightened cold.

John Mason