Thanks Gordon and Andrew, I have too admit that I don't remember checking the stud holes after the work was done. I did have a solid gasket on it for some years but when I went use it after the last rebuild I found signs of burning between 2 + 3 and discovered it was a bit thinner there. I used a normal gasket instead - which is the one which has just blown.
I have been intending to make another solid gasket but so far I haven't found a supplier who will sell me less than a 4' by 4' sheet. When I have the gasket I shall follow your advice but I don't want to take it apart again until then. Is it worth slackening off the nuts and re-tightening to 27lbs? I have used an old gasket which looked ok but which had a suspicious discolouring between 2+3.
Regarding nuts, I have been using original nuts because they looked ok and were nice and deep with a flat bottom face. I am concerned about the washers though, they looked a bit chewed up when I took the head off so must be too soft but I had too use them again so that I could get home; no doubt the wrong washers will affect the torque figures as well. If anyone knows a source of new correct nuts and hard washers I would pleased to hear from them
I seem to remmber reading somewhere that MGs made mild steel gaskets for their racing engines. Is it worth trying instead of copper?
Send this man a pattern & he'll produce a solid copper one...
Johnson Gaskets 2 Verity Street East Bierley BRADFORD DB4 6PN
01274 682298
Mike Dowley for new head studs, nuts & washers.
I'm sure it's been mentioned already, but it's important to anneal the gasket correctly, then descale with fine wire wool (or scotchbrite), then degrease. I use a thin coat of a sealant very similar to Wellseal on all 4 faces & let it go tacky before assembly.
I have just rung the gasket man, who is more or less on my way to work which is handy! An M gasket will be ú48 so it's not worth me trying to make my own.
S and V do high tensile nuts and washers ( just been in touch with them too) but I will have to wait a couple of weeks as they are out of stock. I didn't think to try them as they aren't in their catalogue.