8 replies to this topic

[PaulColeman]

I've now bought a new Payen head gasket from Mini Spares for my daughter's 1976 Mini 1000 after my failed attempt where I managed to put the last one on upside down!!

 

What I want to know is as there are no torque figures on the packaging should I just follow the procedure in the Haynes manual?

 

After covering a number of miles do I then need to re-torque the head?

 

Thanks, Paul.

[coopdog]

Yeah go as Haynes manual says

[KernowCooper]

Retorque to 50ft/lbs and again after 1 heat cycle

[sonikk4]

Retorque to 50ft/lbs and again after 1 heat cycle

 

+1.

[PaulColeman]

Thanks for the replies.

 

When you re-torque after the heat cycle do you back it off first and then re-torque or just re-torque without backing it off. If you do back off how far do you go?

 

Thanks, Paul.

[sonikk4]

Do not back it off you are basically checking the torque value has not changed when you originally torqued the head. So same torque figure you used.

[PaulColeman]

Okay, the one I put on upside down said to back it off 90 degrees and then re-torque after a heat cycle and then do the same thing again after 620 miles but the Payen one has nothing at all in the paperwork.

 

Just to check - I am correct in thinking that the head studs do not need to be changed as a matter of course when you change the head gasket. I know some types of head bolts stretch and can only be used once.

 

Cheers, Paul.

Edited by PaulColeman, 31 January 2015 - 09:23 PM.

[sonikk4]

These can normally be reused unless of course somebody has exceeded the torque figure and possibly stretched them. Unlikely though.

[PaulColeman]

Phew!

 

I did notice when I took the head off earlier that a few of the studs (4 or 5) were only finger tight. I didn't think to check when I fitted the head back in April so this may well explain why the Payen head gasket I fitted then only lasted 10 months? Normally on old cars the studs are so tight they're a nightmare to try and get out having not moved for decadesbut this wasn't like that. Another of my rookie mistakes!!!!