Drivetrain (Cooper S) MINI Cooper S (R53) intakes, exhausts, pulleys, headers, throttle bodies, and any other modifications to the Cooper S drivetrain.

Drivetrain Doing a head swap.

Old May 13, 2015 | 11:22 AM
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Manny_cooper
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Doing a head swap.

Hey guys,

I'm doing a head swap soon. What do you recommend to do while I'm there? Which gaskets should I have in mind other than the head gasket?

Thanks,

Manny
 
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Old May 18, 2015 | 05:08 PM
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The minimum extras include intake and exhaust gaskets, head bolts (or go head stud kit), exhaust manifold bolts.

I also replaced the thermostat and its o-ring, and the cam sensor O-ring

If you haven't done it, timing guides and tensioner...
 
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Old May 18, 2015 | 11:59 PM
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The above is about right, he's a few tips:
-Thermostat and housing O-Ring, absolutely, too much of a pain to do on its own so do it now.
-Head Bolts, go to the ARP Studs, don't even bother with new bolts since they will be "one time use" again.
-Guides and Tensioner, check your guides, if there's not a lot of miles on the motor and you don't see any damage or heat cracks in them, you can reuse them without too much concern, Tensioner's are so easy to change, if you don't have more than 60k on the one you have now, you can wait if you like.
-Exhaust and Intake Gaskets, if they're not physically damaged you can reuse them if you like, just spray them with Permatex Copper Gasket spray, works great. Also works in some of the other gaskets like Intake-to-Inlet.

Also, do some research, I've heard that the R56 Exhaust Manifold Studs will interchange into or Heads, this will make lining up the gasket and Manifold much easier.
And don't forget some bungee cords to keep your timing chain taught, if your not replacing it. (Which you shouldn't need to)
And while it's apart, replace the Fuel Regulator Vacuum House, they can dry out and harden from the heat.
 

Last edited by BlwnAway; May 19, 2015 at 12:06 AM.
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Old May 19, 2015 | 05:08 AM
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Thanks guys! Just bought all I needed. The timing chain, tensioner, and the guides were changed 30k miles ago, so I'm positive they are in good condition. I'll look into the ARP head studs and the R56 studs for the exhaust manifold.

R,
Manny
 
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Old May 19, 2015 | 05:44 AM
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this is all good info, cause at some point Ill be doing this. I wouldn't have thought about the thermostat
 
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Old May 19, 2015 | 06:36 AM
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Thought I would update mine to add this: thermostat housing (they are plastic and prone to crack. You will be removing it anyway).

One of the vendors (I recall it being Way, but couldn't find the post) said that the only time he has had cars with missing exhaust manifold bolts is customers that tried to reuse them (and then they backed out). The book says replace. The gray beards 😇 say replace it... Who am I to argue with that?
 
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