Lotus Elan

change of front cover head gasket

PostPost by: Humberty » Thu Oct 10, 2024 5:16 pm

Hi All,

What is the easiest way to change the head cover headgasket ?

I have a pretty oil tight engine ( I believe) elsewhere but the front head cover gasket is so deteriorated it doesn't hold oil at all, it feels like if would be no worth without it.

I have an engine that was rebuilt (professionally :? ) 3 years ago with ARP studs (not bolt) and was wondering if these need to be change if I remove the head from the block ?
I believe the bloc, head and cam cover have all had a skim pass.

I also wonder if there is a better newer way to seal that and replace the cork material with some Viton based seal ?

Also shall I plan for replacing the head gasket as well ? the last that was ordered was a 0.051" 84 Cometic, I guess this is multi-shim.
I also would like some feedback on the Cometic gasket kit for the top part of the engine, any good ?
https://www.burtonpower.com/cometic-lot ... c4491.html

Image

Image

Image

Thanks
Berenger
Humberty
New-tral
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 09 Jun 2024
Location: United Kingdom

PostPost by: pharriso » Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:02 pm

Are you talking about the Cam Cover Gasket, or the Head Gasket (or Both) ?
Phil Harrison
1972 Elan Sprint 0260K
User avatar
pharriso
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3492
Joined: 15 Sep 2010
Location: Long Island NY, USA

PostPost by: Humberty » Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:32 am

Hi,

Let me correct myself, I meant the timing head cover gasket is leaking so to replace that "fairly" small gasket what is the better way?
Humberty
New-tral
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 09 Jun 2024
Location: United Kingdom

PostPost by: gjz30075 » Fri Oct 11, 2024 7:34 am

Are you referring to the cork gasket with three holes? If so, the job requires the head to
be removed, which also requires a head gasket, not shown.
Greg Z
45/0243K Sprint
45/7286 S3 SE DHC
User avatar
gjz30075
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3186
Joined: 12 Sep 2003
Location: Roswell, Georgia, USA

PostPost by: Humberty » Fri Oct 11, 2024 9:35 am

Yes that's the one
Would the arp stud also need tk be replaced?
Is there any alternative to the cork material?
Humberty
New-tral
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 09 Jun 2024
Location: United Kingdom

PostPost by: rgh0 » Fri Oct 11, 2024 11:41 am

The ARP studs do not need replacing but they do need to be removed to enable the head to clear the chain guide that sticks up above the block at an angle. The studs have a hex socket in their end to anble this to be easily done once the head nuts are removed.

The head gasket needs to be replaced and cant be reunsed. I would use a composite fibre gasket from Cometic or Adjusa or similar suppliers not an MLS gasket. The Lotus alloy head is too flexible to seal reliably on a MLS gasket which are really intended for the cast iron Kent engine heads

You can get different thicknesses for the cork gasket between the head and front cover. Select a thickness that has about 25% compression when installed and the head gasket compressed to final thickness. I dont know anyone supplying a gasket of Viton or similar rubber materials. Instal the cork gasket using a sticky gasket adhesive such as the Loctitie aviation gasket sealant on both sides so the cork does not extrude out of the gap. Allow the selaant to go tacky for around 15 minutes before bolting down the head lightly and then wait a couple of hours before doing the final torquing down of the head to allow the the sealant to further set.

cheers
Rohan

cheers
Rohan
User avatar
rgh0
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 8620
Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: richardcox_lotus and 18 guests