Spare Holbay head

[Paul Goldsmith]

Checked over ours last night, seems a good 'un with only minimal corrosion pitting on edges of waterways, no cracks evident from a visual inspection plus and decent looking head face, might clean up OK and not require a skim.

However I did discover 2 minor issues ;

a) Small washer lodged in a waterway and mildy corroded in place [:0] Wouldn't have done the waterpump much good if it'd worked loose ! Quickly resolved and now removed.

b) Partially stripped threads on 2 of the tappet cover bolt holes - not sure what best to do here. Basically understand the concepts of re-tapping and/or helicoils but never done either, so gratefully appreciate any recommendations on what best to do here.

(Will post pics later)

We might not need this head if the one already on our Holbay engine is fine but our ex-Rootes mechanic has told us to expect the worst, as he's seen some shockers in his time !

Thanks

Commer 'Hi Tor' by TorCars

 

[Panky]

Erm...the washer you found in the waterway - was it a blank one, slightly bent, in the centre port by any chance? They all have them, I think it's a baffle to stop preferential flow to parts of the head:I. You might get away with slightly longer bolts for the rocker cover, there will be a bit more thread down bottom of th'ole.

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[Paul Goldsmith]

Thanks Panky - a bit worried now

It was in one of the central waterways but seemed like a bog standard washer to me (hopes !) and only held place by slight friction fit and minor sediment build up. I threaded a thin wire through the centre and it easily pulled out, so don't think this could be the baffle you mention.

Although I do recall that a central waterway did have a restriction via a recessed dome with a slotted hole rather than being 'wide open' like the others. Perhaps this is the Holbay approach to a flow 'baffle'.

Will post pics at the weekend as not sure my description quite nails it

Commer 'Hi Tor' by TorCars