Toby,
Two things:
(1) yes, '69s did come stock with the air injection smog pump and that's
what that extra mounting "ear" was for.
(2) Many years ago, my '69 blew a head gasked, and it was between cylinders
2 and 3. It would have required skimming the block to fix, but my budget
wouldn't allow it at the time, so my mechanic built up the area with a skin
of epoxy/liquid steel as a temporary fix. Not suggesting that for you, of
course, just noting that the 2-3 area is sometimes suspect, and you might
want to think of having the block skimmed and leveled.
I also have my air injection ports plugged. I used the original (hollow)
flare nuts from the air injections manifold, had them brazed closed and
stuck 'em back in. No problems, and I doubt if that's anything to do with
your problem.
Jim Algar
'69 Sprite Mk. IV
> ----------
> From: Toby Atwater
> Reply To: Toby Atwater
> Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 1:41 a.m
> To: Spridgets list
> Subject: Head gasket probs... Felpro or BECK/ARNLY (longish)
>
> I recently had a valve job done on my head and got everything put together
> today after work. Total bummer the problem is still there but even worse.
> I
> have mist\steam\ river coming out of the exhaust pipe and water is
> dropping
> faster than I can fill it. My new oil is already milky. Spark plug #2
> looks
> like it has never fired a spark. #3 looks a bit wet. #1 and #4 perfect
> caramel color. I am however completely frustrated.
>
> FOUR things come to mind that I didn't do "right" or could be possible
> problems.
>
> 1) You know those exhaust rings that go between manifold and head? I found
> em laying on the bench after everything was assembled in the engine bay.
> Doh! I don't know if they are crucial to exhaust leaks or if they are just
> smog equipment but they aren't in my engine.
>
> 2) My head had air injection ports that were stopped up with special
> headless bolts. Very hard to take these 4 guys out, but with 3 people we
> finally did it. I got some hardened bolts and used those instead. A little
> goup and a copper washer should insure a good seal... but it isn't
> "factory". Oh, BTW I didn't know my 69 Sprite had a smog pump stock. Is
> this
> why there is an ear off my thermostat housing? Or is my head from a later
> car and therefore need a different head gasket? (see below)
>
> 3) Head Gasket. I really hope this is the prob. I got one (a gasket set
> actually) from Moss (they tempt me so much with their catalogs) it says
> made
> in England on it and is some kind of tin\metal lined with plastic\rubber.
> I
> used a few layers of Copper spray on it and everything. My father
> leisurely
> told me how he was playing around with my stuff yesterday and noticed some
> holes in the gasket didn't line up with the galleries on the head, and
> even
> blocked some off. DOH! Shouldn't a 1275 gasket be a 1275 gasket? there
> were\are no discrepancies year to year, is there? I must have been brain
> dead not to check this stuff out.
>
> 4) The head was tested and ground at the machine shop for flatness and all
> that. But I never checked the block. It could be warped I guess in the
> middle and that's why #2 and #3 are wet while the others are fine.
> Something
> else to check while the head is off.
>
> If my current head gasket (from MOSS) doesn't match the head\block... at
> least I will have tracked down the problem. I am going to need a
> replacement. In the archives it seems Fel Pro works pretty good. Couldn't
> find much on Beck\arnley... any suggestions head gasket wise? It won't be
> from Moss that is for sure.
>
> Oh, and I replaced the head nuts with some grade 8 bigger size nuts found
> at
> the bolt shop. Really looks good and works better with the torque wrench.
>
> Anyway what ever I do, I basically have to start over. At the minimum, the
> head comes off, head gasket replaced. (No Sprite till this weekend) And at
> the maximum engine is removed and while I'm at it... datsun tranny goes in
> etc... etc.. etc... ( no sprite for the Summer.) But at least it goes fast
> on these small engines. I was amazed how quickly I got everything
> disassembled. And somewhat less amazed how I got everything back together.
>
> Hope your cars are doing better
> Thanks for your never-ending help and patience.
>
> Toby
>
> 1969 AH Sprite
> 1971 Fj40
>
>
>
>
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