R50/53 Mini has a new cylinder head!
Mini has a new cylinder head!
Took me 36 hours!
Installed an OEM head bought on this forum last year from jhiggs26.
Full compression in all cylinders!
For a chassis with 196,000, it pulls like it's brand new.
I made a vid and tooks pics, and will post a write up soon, since there is no one-stop for a DIY Cylinder Head replacement.
This is my 2nd time working that deep in an engine, and the 1st time I did the entire job using a Bentley Manual, internet postings, and my knowledge of cars!
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 731
Likes: 5
From: Near Portland, OR, USA
Took me 36 hours!
Installed an OEM head bought on this forum last year from jhiggs26.
Full compression in all cylinders!
For a chassis with 196,000, it pulls like it's brand new.
I made a vid and tooks pics, and will post a write up soon, since there is no one-stop for a DIY Cylinder Head replacement.
This is my 2nd time working that deep in an engine, and the 1st time I did the entire job using a Bentley Manual, internet postings, and my knowledge of cars!
Thanks!
At one point, when the head was off, I wondered if this was possible. Bolts kept breaking, due to being old and worn.
The most difficult part - wrenching out the chain tensioner
Most dangerous - fuel pressure regulator o-rings did not seal, and thus sprayed pertrol everywhere.
Most frustrating - installing the intake manifold whilst losing 3 nuts to the neverland of the engine bay and crossed treading a stud
Most stupid maneuver - over torquing the head bolts (left them as is) b/c a misread my torque wrench.
Most fun - cleaning off 11 years of residue from the piston heads, using the "dentist's approach" (tube vacuum sucking up the dust while sanding)
Most satisfying - smooth idle, no clicking valve train, studder during hard acceleration gone, cylinder #2 misfire during a hard banked right turn is gone, and the warm fuzzies I get from knowing at least half my engine is brand new!
At one point, when the head was off, I wondered if this was possible. Bolts kept breaking, due to being old and worn.
The most difficult part - wrenching out the chain tensioner
Most dangerous - fuel pressure regulator o-rings did not seal, and thus sprayed pertrol everywhere.
Most frustrating - installing the intake manifold whilst losing 3 nuts to the neverland of the engine bay and crossed treading a stud
Most stupid maneuver - over torquing the head bolts (left them as is) b/c a misread my torque wrench.
Most fun - cleaning off 11 years of residue from the piston heads, using the "dentist's approach" (tube vacuum sucking up the dust while sanding)
Most satisfying - smooth idle, no clicking valve train, studder during hard acceleration gone, cylinder #2 misfire during a hard banked right turn is gone, and the warm fuzzies I get from knowing at least half my engine is brand new!
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 316
From: Arnold, MO.
Congrats, as you probably found out, except for the individual problems you faced, the biggest issues with head replacement is proper torque & taking precautions to not slip a tooth on the crank gear.
Nice to hear about your milage & compression results, I've actually been contemplating sacraficing a Gasket Set & Head Studs and just replacing my head to see the results, just a little more investigation will help me to make the descision.
Nice to hear about your milage & compression results, I've actually been contemplating sacraficing a Gasket Set & Head Studs and just replacing my head to see the results, just a little more investigation will help me to make the descision.
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