TEM Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 Thanks Senc, that would definitely explain my situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 (edited) Those are aftermarket high compression pistons. They may not have been intended for this specific application. Not unusual. Edited July 24 by MV8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 (edited) 1 hour ago, TEM said: Thanks Senc, that would definitely explain my situation. I should have commented that I know my engine was rebuilt in the 70s/80s after a thrown rod, so the pistons that came out were not likely original (at least 1 one them). The following photos are pages from the DBE Elan/Plus2/Cortina catalog and DBE English Ford Racers catalog, respectively. I take them to suggest flat tops were standard for pre-crossflows. Edited July 24 by SENC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 Yes, that document specifically references the 1340cc Seven with flat top piston. The flat heads had a 10:1 compression ratio. I can't imagine what my engine is with the protrusion. possible cause of the head gasket failure?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 The good news is that the Head Gasket arrived. The bad news is it doesn't match the old one. The water passage holes are different. The passages between the cylinders on the old gasket are all small on top and all big on the bottom. The new one has all small holes on the bottom and two large holes on top. The passages between 1& and 3&4 I think are OK as they sum up to the same area. Should I open up one of the holes between 2&3, or is it OK as is? The bottom right hand corner of the new gasket has a round hole instead of a triangle. I assume this is OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 Don't open up anything. The flow around the center is reversed. Not a problem. If you open up the holes, it will change the flow balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 The center holes between #2&3 on the old gasket had one large and one small hole. The new gasket has two small holes. So keeping it as is would change the flow balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 Perhaps my original is not correct and the new one is. The pictures on-line of pre-Xflow gaskets all look different. From Fel-pro to Burton. And none match either of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 It would change the flow balance of the gasket you are installing. Maybe they got it right? You can always change it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashyers Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 If you’re running antifreeze in the cooling system and you have coolant in the oil you should replace the bearings. Antifreeze will attack the bearings leading to failure down the road. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 I've got to trust what DBE sent was correct. They know their stuff. I'll try it and if it fails, I have experience changing it and will probably go with a Fel Pro next time. Eventually,next year maybe, I'll pull the engine and do a full rebuild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 I would trust them, too. Ken is very knowledgeable - if you have any doubt, just give him a buzz and discuss, I'm sure he'll either put your mind at ease or replace (if the 2 of you determine that prudent). For what it is worth, here is the one I used. It came from Tony Ingram, and has been copper-coated in advance of install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 25 Author Share Posted July 25 I discussed this head gasket with Ken prior to ordering to confirm it was correct for this engine. Interesting that your water passages look completely different from the DBE gasket. I guess the size of the passages isn't all that critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe7 Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 I have a Fel-Pro head gasket that I had prepared by Barry at PHP Race Engines for a pre crossflow as a spare. Since I don't have the car anymore, I will send it to you free of charge if you want it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 26 Author Share Posted July 26 Thanks Joe, that's very kind of you and much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 26 Author Share Posted July 26 New head gasket is in. First startup my heart sank as I saw the white smoke from the exhaust again. But I let it run and it clear up. Probably just some residual coolant in the exhaust pipes. Car now runs well no signs of white smoke. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe7 Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 (edited) I will send it out Monday or Tuesday. If you have a chance can you send me a phone # or private email. Joe Edited July 27 by joe7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEM Posted July 28 Author Share Posted July 28 Hi Joe, I sent you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted July 29 Share Posted July 29 On 7/24/2024 at 5:14 PM, SENC said: Sorry, it just hard to ogle longer than a minute on the inverted picture. Beautiful crossflow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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