11 replies to this topic

[olliecast]

Evening all,
came to the conclusion that my head was not worth investing the cash in for the polishing / porting work to be done as shown here:
http://www.midlandsl...my-160vvc-head/

I do however, think i`ve found a better example.

here some pics before and after a WD40 and scourer light clean to remove the soot.













No grooving that can be felt with the nail at all, only light gasket marks and clearly more material on the head showing hardly any if only a small amount of skimming.

Would you still recommend a hardness test prior to porting or is the lack of indentation good enough "hard" proof?

Cheers,
A slightly more optimistic,
ollie

Edited by olliecast, 02 April 2013 - 08:01 PM.

[Phil S1]

You don't waste any time do you Ollie Have you been to Norwich and back today then?
It certainly looks to be a better starting point. I guess the recommendation is always going to be to have a hardness test done, I didn't bother with mine but then I new it's history. If it was me I'd probably go along with the advice from the guy doing your porting work, that's what I did with Rog at Sabreheads.

[olliecast]

Certainly don't Phil

Walsall today to pick this one up... There's only so long I can go around and get away with driving a convertible mini ( although I'm guessing a s2 or bright green exige would be similar )

Did you use the Chinese gasket Phil?

[Martin R]

Looks reasonable as far as 160 heads go? Hard to tell from pics. I never buy already skimmed heads as a skim can hide a multitude of sins IMO. Are you fitting new valves? If you are PM me and i will send you a link for a full set of OE valves at a very reasonable price   Regarding the hardness test, DVA may do it if you ask nicely and you want a bit more driving.

[olliecast]

That's the thing, I'm covering some miles now! Could do with finding a local firm with a nice portable ball bearing type tester.... Hmmmm

Hmm, ill have a think regarding new valves, I guess it'd make sense?

Throw us the pm Martin

[Martin R]

PM sent.

[Phil S1]

olliecast, on 02 April 2013 - 08:30 PM, said:

Certainly don't Phil

Walsall today to pick this one up... There's only so long I can go around and get away with driving a convertible mini ( although I'm guessing a s2 or bright green exige would be similar )

Did you use the Chinese gasket Phil?

I used the Payen gasket on mine Ollie.

[olliecast]

Cheers Phil.

[Martin R]

I see Dave has just pointed out on SELOC its not a 160 head. You can tell the difference if you look at the pics of your first head? The 160 has small " ears " around the bottom of the valves on the combustion chambers. You should be able to see the difference.

I think  these and the triple cut seats make the extra bhp. It might be worth ringing Hellier to make sure the valves i sent a link for are suitable as they are the triple cut variety for the 160. I expect they would do this as part of the porting?

Edit, i have had a few chats with Kiwi Rog regarding K series heads and he prefers the EU2 ( 145 bhp ) as a starting point. The gist being the " ears " on the 160 undercut the firering slightly. So it may be a better idea for a porting job  

[Elise+Imp]

Phil S1, on 02 April 2013 - 09:02 PM, said:

I used the Payen gasket on mine Ollie.

that was the payen elastomer gasket, payen also do an MLS..

ollie, if you're over ansty way soon then go to Nevlock (about 3 miles from there), best prices i found by miles, but had to order in the elastomer one - so you may need to ring first, they usually carry the MLS,  they have a webpage with phone number if you need it

Brian

[olliecast]

well i`ve ordered the chinese head gasket from rog, has a slightly different designed fire ring so i`m gonna give that whirl me thinks

down in ansty on friday brian is the shop worth a quick visit anyways after work?

[Elise+Imp]

olliecast, on 03 April 2013 - 07:51 PM, said:

down in ansty on friday brian is the shop worth a quick visit anyways after work?

depends, it's only a trade counter for an old school engine parts place, they only do major gaskits, pistons, shells, valves - the stuff no-one else seems to want to bother with, for example they don't do service items etc,.