Chiming in at Max's suggestion.........
The configuration of water passage holes on the late heads is different than
on the early heads. Presumably, the factory found that increased cooling
efficiency resulted from those changes. It should work just fine on your
engine but you will need to check the No. 4 rocker pedestal. Late heads used
a different pedestal in that position, with a bulge on the side at the foot
of the pedestal to accommodate a differently-positioned oil feed hole for
the rocker assembly. If all your rocker pedestals are identical, you cannot
use the rearmost one on the new head as no oil will get to the rockers. Moss
lists the correct pedestal for the late head as No. 460-245.
Lawrie
British Sportscar Center
----- Original Message -----
From: "Max Heim" <mvheim@studiolimage.com>
To: "MG List" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2004 7:16 PM
Subject: Re: HELP! Cylinder Head Question. An update and what would you do??
> Hmm, I think you need Laurie to chime in. I seem to recall a note in the
> Moss catalog to the effect that any head will work, with one exception. It
> may have had to do with the water choke, which may not be applicable to
your
> situation.
>
>
> --
>
> Max Heim
> '66 MGB GHN3L76149
> If you're near Mountain View, CA,
> it's the primer red one with chrome wires
>
>
> on 6/21/04 6:38 PM, Bill Miller at millerb@intergate.com wrote:
>
> > First of all thanks to everyone who responded directly to me. I do
> > appreciate it.
> >
> > A lister has help me confirm with the head casting numbers that the new
head
> > is in fact a '75+ MGB head according to the casting numbers.
> >
> > According to the info and my casting numbers, my old head is for a
72-74.5
> > The new head is for 75+
> >
> > My block id is: 18V890AE-L835, according to the VB catalog it is a 1977
> > block.
> > However, the block has the same hole pattern as the 72-74 head.
> >
> > Think someone (a PO) changed the engine ID plate in this car's previous
> > life? It doesn't look like it, and why would they?
> >
> > The old head gasket that I removed has both holes, as does the new
gasket.
> > The new gasket is list for '75-80 MGB. The single hole in the new head
> > lines up perfectly with the left hole in the set of two on the head
gasket.
> > If these are in fact oil return holes, I am not too worried, but I think
> > they may be water jacket holes. The head gasket set (victor) has these
> > holes in question ringed with a red "silicon" type material. Just those
> > holes. None of the other. Any ideas?
> >
> > I'm more confused than ever. Should I use it? Should I look for
another
> > 72-74.5 head?
> >
> > Barney Gaylord sent me a long letter a while back when I started looking
for
> > a head that said "Any MGB head will fit on any MGB engine. Mix and
match to
> > your heart's pleasure. I even use an "18" head on the MGA engine(s)"
So I
> > am inclined to think this will work. But I am pretty concerned about it
and
> > I want some to say it will be ok. :) I guess I'm just chicken!
> >
> > Bill
> > '78 'B with no head...
|