olliecast Posted March 29, 2013 Posted March 29, 2013 Afternoon all, finally got the head off my car to have a look after the coolant was becoming pressurized. Found the following: A head (good start) The porosity doesnt seem bad at all around the fire rings, however there is some indentation on the exhaust side, see pics below: the head isn`t perfectly flat from back to front, but its less than 0,04mm, shown here: the indent on the fire ring can be seen here: Seems to be approx 0,30mm when measured to its deepest point with a DTI in the worst place. What are my options with this as i was going to get it ported and polished Any opinions very much appreciated, Cheers, ollie
jimbo07g41 Posted March 29, 2013 Posted March 29, 2013 To do it good and proper it should be peened before a skim. But I would go ahead with your porting plans and just use payen mls, new bolts etc. I can't recall what the manual says but that's not going to need much of a skim. Don't take my would check. The mls comes with a head shim. I have the stronger oil ladder on mine but it's not really needed on the Elise.
Martin R Posted March 29, 2013 Posted March 29, 2013 Ollie, that is exactly what i expected. The indent was allowing a blow across the firering, pressurizing the coolant. Peen, skim and use an MLS and you should be good to go. that is with the proviso it's not been skimmed before? I think you can skim up to 20 thou ( 0.5mm ) But check with the experts. I would also check the stand proud of the liners to block face.
legin Posted March 29, 2013 Posted March 29, 2013 I would get a hardness check done before you spend any money or effort on it as fire ring indent like that can be a soft head.
olliecast Posted March 29, 2013 Author Posted March 29, 2013 Do you know anyone round here who would hardness check it for me? I'm guessing it'd just need one of the portable hardness test machines with the ball bearing fired via a spring at it? If so where the best area? Near one of the chapel windows away from the "action"? Cheers Ollie
Martin R Posted March 29, 2013 Posted March 29, 2013 I would get a hardness check done before you spend any money or effort on it as fire ring indent like that can be a soft head. Indeed, it could well be. However you also need to get any other one you may replace it with hardness tested. IIRC they are approx 120 brinnell when brand new. The limit for use is apparently 95. My old VHPD MS2 head had an indent very similar to that. However at the time there was no way i could afford another one even if i could have found one. I therefore had the old one peened and skimmed and slapped an MLS gasket on including the shim. My theory being the shim would protect the head from a further indent. It lasted a fair few miles and trackdays without failure. They normally indent on the exhaust side due to the extra heat there. Unfortunatly i recently sold a 160 VVC head that was 115 brinnell. Edit, DVA hardness checked the one i sold. It takes about 10 mins max. He may do yours if you ask nicely
olliecast Posted March 31, 2013 Author Posted March 31, 2013 Sent off too hellier now, see what they say! Wish me luck!!
DeanB Posted April 1, 2013 Posted April 1, 2013 Good luck! Will Hellier do the hardness test for you?
olliecast Posted April 1, 2013 Author Posted April 1, 2013 he has specific things he`s going to do to test the hardness. I`ve also taken advice on what gasket etc to use. has anyone any experience of "soft" heads constantly failing? I`ve done a fair amount of research and mine appears to be not as bad as some that have bee reused..... going to have a look for another also anyways, Cheers, ollie
Martin R Posted April 1, 2013 Posted April 1, 2013 Ollie, try an ad on the MG Rover forums? Good luck.
olliecast Posted April 1, 2013 Author Posted April 1, 2013 Thanks Martin, heavilly gathering opinions and experiences on what to do so all input is very much appreciated guys! Cheers, Ollie
Martin R Posted April 1, 2013 Posted April 1, 2013 Ollie, the obvious thing to do if the car is a keeper is source another good VVC head. Have you tried DVA yet? It depends on your budget at the end of the day.
olliecast Posted April 1, 2013 Author Posted April 1, 2013 Yeah tried all of the "main players" at the moment. Scanning eBay as we speak. Does anyone know of any "contacts"
Martin R Posted April 1, 2013 Posted April 1, 2013 Have you tried these? http://www.esmotorsport.co.uk/elise-spares
olliecast Posted April 2, 2013 Author Posted April 2, 2013 Thanks martin, tried them this morning... Going to look at one now!
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