MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - 1950 Head Gaskets

Can anyone help with a source for head gaskets for 1950 overbore which have the correct bore diameter. I understand that Moss do a solid copper version in two different thicknesses but are these suitable for road use? Your comments would be appreciated. Thanks Jim
j soutar

Jim-
Copper head gaskets are popular with racers who tear down their engines often for inspection purposes and don't want to spend time scraping off bits of gasket. By today's standards, they're hopelessly obsolete.

Click on this: http://shop.cambridgemotorsport.com/product_templates/product_default.cfm?menu_temp=mgb_engine.cfm&dep_id=4&prod_id=931&ass_id=108
Steve S.

I fitted to my 1950, Aldon engine, a multi steel shims head gasket, bought to Cambridgemotorsport, no problem, if, the price.
Regards.
mw michel

Many thanks for your comments. Most helpfull Jim
j soutar

Jim,

your could try:

Bob West
+44(0)1977 703828
www.bobwestclassiccars.co.uk/

or maybe

Peter Burgess
+44 (0) 1773 520021
http://www.burgesstuning.free-online.co.uk/index.html
http://www.peter-burgess.com/

Good luck,

Grant :-)
G Hudson

I am using a standard Payen head gasket on my 1930cc (83.5mm) B-engine. The payen-gasket has slightly bigger bore diameter than the original MG/Rover/BMC/Mowog-parts and doesnt cost you an arm and a leg as the comp-gaskets do.
Joern-M.

The standard Payen head gasket only intrudes very slightly into the 1950 bore in one or two places - it seals perfectly well and I use them on all 1950 builds.
Chris at Octarine Services

Thanks again for your comments. My problem stems from the fact that my local engine reconditioners machined to much from the block and thus the pistons are too close to the top of the bore leaving insufficient clearance. I am concerned that the pistons would hit the protrusion of the standard gasket. The pistons have already been machined and i worry that insufficient material is left to take more metal off.
j soutar

jim
theres a bloke who makes gaskets up on tong street who will make you what you want
ste
Ste Brown

Chris - do you ever get any burning on the edges that intrude on the combustion chamber?
Bill Spohn

Try Cambridge Motor Sports. I have their re-useable gasket on my 1950 Full Race engine and it is fine.
R L Tinkler

Bill,

No - the intrusion is only a matter of 5 - 10 thou and since the gasket is up against the flat surface of the head there is no risk of a hot spot being created.

I still use the Payen gasket on engines with forged flat top pistons with zero deck clearance without any problems.
Chris at Octarine Services

My 1950 overbore is on a standard Payen gasket with no probs. They must have got the cylder deck millinmg right though as it gives reasonable compression results and the right number of horses at the back wheels.
Stan Best

I suppose that the "slight intrusion" would also slightly increase the squish effect by slightly reducing the clearance between the top of the piston and the head/gasket in the overlap area. - no slight intended-

Barry
Barry Parkinson

Thanks, Chris.

I usually use the special big bore MGB gasket when making one for my overbore Twincam race engine, but they are hard to get quickly.

Next time I'll try a Payen. Probably easier to cut the new holes for the Twincam studs in those than in the factory competition big bore style anyway.
Bill Spohn

This thread was discussed between 20/05/2007 and 24/05/2007

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now