7 replies to this topic

[miniman86]

hi, i bought a stage 3 head off ebay a little while ago, and when i went to put it onto the block i have, i realised it has holes for an 11 stud block, is this still ok to use or do i need to put two more studs into my existing block or what? cheers alex

[Guess-Works.com]

you can get away with out using the two extra's depends what compression ratio you are expecting to achieve...

[miniman86]

i really dont know to be honest!! can two extra holes be drilled and tapped into the existing block? if so is it easy to do, as i have the equipment at work. if not will it still go ok without the extra 2 studs?

[Dan]

Yup it'll work without them. It's exactly the same head and block, they just have the extra studs for high compression, highly stressed motors as Guessworks said. If it's an A+ block it's stiffer than the old A series blocks were anyway so they aren't as important. All you'll get is a bit of rust building up on the block deck where the holes are!

You can drill and tap them if you want. Be very careful not to break through into the water jacket when drilling the one by the water pump mounting. And lightly chamfer the top edge of the hole after tapping.

Sometimes, this last stud by the water pump was replaced with a head bolt instead. I don't think anyone actually knows why this was.

[miniman86]

it isnt an a plus, or not that i know of, as it has 'mowog' in the side of the casting, so i take it that it is an old block, out of an old cooper maybe?

[miniboo]

A series id = two holes around dizzy, coolant drain plug on back, loads of others.

A+ = o hole around dizzy, no coolant drain plug, on the back towards the bottom of the block there will be a web of a cross a bit like plus sign.

If its a 1275 and has the tappet chest covers rather than being solid walled it is a cooper engine i think.

like i said there are other things to id them aswell i am sure.

[miniman86]

ok cheers. i know mine hasnt got the chest covers, and it is a 1275 so it must just be an old one of some sort!

[Jimmyarm]

Sometimes, this last stud by the water pump was replaced with a head bolt instead. I don't think anyone actually knows why this was.

Something in the back of my mind is saying that this was to do with the hole being so close to the water jacket, I'm sure Bill Sollis says something about it in the Minifilms DVD, looks like I will have to watch it again later and find out !