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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - nuts for my head

No, I have not gone nuts, this is a question about nuts and washers. Specifically ones that hold the head on.

Is there anything special about them? Or can I replace them with boggo high tensile zinc plated ones? The ones that I took off are a bit mangey and rusted and I like shiney new bits! I have plenty of the lying round, thats why I ask.

Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Head studs need special nuts and washers
Inlet etc can be plain ones
Onno K

OK, will reuse, do you know what is special about them Onno? Just higher strength steel?
Malcolm Le Chevalier

they're deeper than normal nuts...
can you scrounge some off a later Metro or Mini?
David Smith

I just bought 10 new washers from Sussex classics at £2.60 for the lot... they are beautifully thick hardened black washers.

Before that I tried using normal washers but the torque just eats them

C L Carter

Deeper and different steel iirc
For A series engines minispares do an uprated/competition set that is good and to cheap not to use.
Onno K

The OE nuts and washers are special alright - especially crappy garbage. They will barely take the standard torque, if they are perfect and never abused.

Use MGB/1275 head nuts or SAE "HINUTS" (what Moss US is now supplying as MGB nuts). MGB nuts are higher than the OE, and the SAE nuts are about one thread higher than the real MGB ones. And thick hardened washers, also should be available as "MGB heavy duty".

Check that the front and rear nuts clear the rocker pedestals. It is usually necessary to grind these a tiny bit to clear the taller nut & washer combo, but the metal is soft enough to carve with a pocketknife. Hard to see; I check clearance by passing a piece of string around the nut on the pedestal side.

FRM
FR Millmore

It is 1500 by the way. Does the same apply (like steal them from MGB or metro etc?) I guess they are probably same thread size?

Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Yes, I know it is a 1500, that's why you need to change them, and take care of the rocker pedestal issue. Same thread, better nuts with longer thread engagement.

FRM
FR Millmore

cool, just checking, thanks FRM
Malcolm Le Chevalier

This thread was discussed on 22/05/2012

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