well today I was driving alone and the mini started to ping real bad. Well then the temp started to rise and I shut her down. I looks like I blew a head gasket. it did not blow because of heat because I shut it down at about 205.

It looks like the head gasket is not holding up under the pressure and I was wondering if there is a really good gasket out there. I am running 10 to 1 compression, 1275 motor pushed out to 1340. I understand that with a modified motor it will have problems. I have worked most of the problems out. It has been about a year or less that I had any head gasket problems.

what are your opinions on the copper gasket and the gasket made for a turbo.

Thank
Jason

 

I have no experience with turbo gaskets. I do with copper ones. I've had good luck with them on a couple of 1275's. Although I didn't run as much compression as you are.

 

I just talked to Seven ent. and they use the copper gaskets on their engines. I just happen to have one so I am going to put it on this week.

 

well Chuck, I got it done and it works. I was hoping for some more input from everyone.

 

Good job Jason!

You strike me as a guy who knows his way around an engine bay & isn't afraid to spin a spanner or two.

Now for that input. Input oil into the sump & input coolant in the rad. Now, good to go.

 

Sorry I didn't give you any input, bro... I'm still learning the more advanced mysteries. Contacting 7Ent. was a good call.

As an apology, you can come help me do a valve job and gasket replacement on Fiona. You know, if that will make you feel better.

 

Matt you are quite a stand up guy. An apology & a chance for Jason to feel better.

 

Matt, I will do whatever I can to help you out. just let me know.

and thanks Chuck I forgot about the coolant, no wonder the car was running hot

 

Hehehe... maybe I'll be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Ahem...

I was just kidding man... I mean, I DO need the valve job, and I'd love it if I could do it with someone who knows what they're doing watching over my shoulder, but I was just being snide. I'm impressed with anyone that can just roll uyp their sleeves and wade into a project like an engine rebuild or even a head gasket replacement. Good for you!

 

I'm not that good, the mini engine is simple. It really isn't that hard to pull the head off. just need to know what to take off and what to move out of the way. If you do want to do it this winter, just let me know. I can stop by with some tools. I can get my head off in about an hour. Yours might take longer since it is a newer car and has more stuff. Once your head if off then you could take it someplace or do everything yourself. Then I could help put it back together. It could be a tech section with classic minis

 

I think it would be so cool to do a tech thing like that! I'd definitely be interested in setting something like that up, and inviting others to observe or participate as a teaching lesson.

 

Nothing to fear Matt, I know you can do this. Yep you need some help, but not as much as you think you do. Like Jason says simple engine. Once you have done this you can move on to Veyron valve jobs.

 

Does that thing have FOUR turbochargers? Screw a VTEC - I want that in Fiona. I'll sit on the roof to drive...

 

Why yes it does. I'm not sure there is any way possible to put that many horses in Fiona. Might be tricky finding the engine, haven't seen any on fleabay yet.

 

the local BMW club used to have get togethers and we would work on someones car. nothing hard but a fun hang out and either put something together or tear it apart. I haven't done that in a long time.

 

It's scary the first time, but just bag, label (and as we are in the digital age, take pics!) It's helpful if you're not doing on your only ride.
(would if help if I said I've done several valve/head jobs, but haven't ventured into LED lighting? )

 

+1 That LED lighting is scary stuff....

 

Hehehe... Isn't it weird what we're scared of? I'm worried I'll get the engine apart and then be stymied when it come to the re-assembly, but there are plenty of other people that wouldn't hesitate to wade right in, spanners flashing and bolts flying. But lots of those same people balk at even the simplest electrical job, something I wouldn't hesitate to begin. Guess it's just what you know vs. what you don't.

Re: the clinic - yeah, I've talked to some MG and Miata groups that do teaching clinics like this on a monthly basis, and I've wished for years that e had the same sort of thing here in Ohio for the Minis/MINIs, and I'd certainly lend my electrical know-how to such a project. Personally, I love working on cars as a social activity - just hanging out and chatting and getting greasy and filthy...

 

Yep you're right. Electricity scares me. You can't see it smell it or touch it. If you do something has gone very wrong. My worst fear is releasing all the smoke contained in the wires. Although now that there is a smoke re-infusion kit sold on Fleabay I'm a little less worried.

 

all these jobs you all mention are asy to do on a mini....the head gasket is very simple to do as there is not much in moving parts besides the rocker arms, in which have to be set after the head is refitted. As for modified motors, I built my own 1380 with a full race swifttune head, 1:5 rocker arms, adjustable timing chain, hif44 carb, and a swiftune5-07 camshaft, and have had no issues with it in the last 2 years...includingthe occasional track day. So in conclusion....it is just some gaskets give up faster then others...or the head is just warped a little bit........as for electrical...nothing is better then a test lightand making sure you have good grounds all throughout the mini body.