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MG MGB Technical - Wellseal

I am going to refit an unleaded head after it was skimmed. I have a Payen gasket set and was advised to use Wellseal on both sides of the head gasket on fitting.
Should I spread it uniformly over the entire surface? Also what amount/depth of sealant should I be aiming for? I'm not sure what is too little or too much.
ph barton

A Payen head gasket should be fitted dry i.e. no jointing compound at all. Just make sure that the surface of the block and head are thoroughly clean and wiped with a degreasing agent before fitting the gasket.
Iain MacKintosh

Hey Philip, fit the gasket as above, torque to 40 pounds, start and run the engin until hot, let it cool and re-torque to 45. After 5-700 miles re-torque again to 45. You will be suprised at the amount of movementat each re-torque. Oh yeah, be sure that the studs/nuts are oiled as you don't want that friction to interfere with the clamping pressure reading. Good Luck! Tom.
Thomas McNamara

Don't use wellseal on the gasket face - it is coated already - you can use a tiny smear on the metal waterway rings if you want.

Torque to 50 ft lbs - retorquing is not necessary or advised by Payen.
Chris at Octarine Services

Hi gut's
Not too sure about head gaskets for all situations but I use for all gaskets good old common grease. I was told this by an old Guy who was into Austin 7's. Just rebuilt an engine and used grease on the head. Also a hotrod friend of mine always runs the engine without water for a few minutes and then re torques a bit like Thomas response above.
TS KING

Hi All

I always use wellseal on the metal parts of the headgasket on Bs. Call it an insurance policy. I also torque B heads to 55# in stages. I do not retorque the composite black gaskets. Copper gaskets must always be re-torqued. With regard to dry running engines, I was told recently of a Hillman Imp engine builder who swore by that technique.
If you do re-torque you must slacken each nut before retorquing, if you want to see how far the nut has rotated make marks on thge nut and head.

Peter
peter burgess

Wow 55lbs ft!! I go to 30 and then 50 and am distinctly edgy at 50 as the stud feels about to shear. How many broken studs do you get going to 55 ??
Iain MacKintosh

Hi Iain

we only use old studs and only if they show no signs of necking. The torque wrench is calibrated. I have not snapped any originals studs this way. Occasionally one of the four longer studs will get a little elastic so I change it for a n other one. I torque 30/40/50/55

Peter
peter burgess

Peter, It's old studs that I use too and I was a little bit fearful of them but no problem. I had suspected that you must be using ARP. Your torque wrench is calibrated which mine is not but I used two torque wrenches just to be on the safe side.
Iain MacKintosh

This thread was discussed between 28/02/2010 and 02/03/2010

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