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Is this headgasket fine or junk?
jps - 16/5/18 at 08:56 AM

I have a bought a head gasket set from eBay for my 'Emax' Pinto engine which I assume is 'new old stock' - i.e. it's very old.

I have never actually seen a headgasket before - so have no idea what is normal. There are two things about the one that has turned up in the post that I am not sure about.

1. The metal rings which (I assume) align with the top of the piston bores are not round by any means (i would have assumed they'd be a fairly flush fit with the bore?).
2. Those same metal rings have a fair bit of furry rust on them in places (I know this part could easily be 30 years old, but could this be an issue when I come to use it?)

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Quinten - 16/5/18 at 09:11 AM

I would throw that in the bin and file it under 'experience'. You do not want rust, or any foreign matter in that area of combustion.


nick205 - 16/5/18 at 10:13 AM

Likewise - I'd either request a refund (and return it) or bin it and but another.

When I rebuilt my Pinto I bot a "top end" set that contained all the gaskets for the cylinder head. It arrived sealed in a vacuum packed plastic film so there was not corrosion on it. The cylinder rings of the head gasket were nice and round and matched the cylinder bores.


adithorp - 16/5/18 at 10:17 AM

The rings not bring circular is how many are designed. The rust makes it scrap IMO. Cleanliness comes next to godliness... except where head gaskets and clutches are concerned when cleanliness is far more important.

Buy a new one from a good source. They're not expensive in the grand scheme of things. Beware of eBay though as there's lots of Chinese fakes.


jps - 16/5/18 at 10:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
The rings not bring circular is how many are designed. The rust makes it scrap IMO. Cleanliness comes next to godliness... except where head gaskets and clutches are concerned when cleanliness is far more important.

Buy a new one from a good source. They're not expensive in the grand scheme of things. Beware of eBay though as there's lots of Chinese fakes.

The problem I have is finding a good source that makes head gaskets for the 1600 'Emax' pinto...


theduck - 16/5/18 at 10:54 AM

Try clint at brands hatch performance. Sure he will be able to supply a victor reinz or similar quality item.


nick205 - 16/5/18 at 11:30 AM

Burton Power are pretty good for Ford related items

http://www.burtonpower.com/


jps - 16/5/18 at 11:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Burton Power are pretty good for Ford related items

http://www.burtonpower.com/


Yes - and prompted by my specific query about their 1600 head gasket their online catalogue now reads!!
" Ford SOHC Pinto
Application:

Ford Capri Mk1/Mk2/Mk3 1.6 1972-1987
Ford Cortina Mk3/Mk4/Mk5 1.6 1970-1982
Ford Escort Mk2 RS Mexico 1.6 1975-1980
Ford Granada Mk2 1.6 1977-1985
Ford Sierra 1.6 1982-1984 (not E-max)
Ford Transit Mk2/Mk3 1.6 1978-1986

"

lol (but not lol really because I need a f-ing headgasket!!!!)


Thanks all for the advice - I am sure I will track one down...

[Edited on 16/5/18 by jps]


nick205 - 16/5/18 at 01:44 PM

Not so encouraging!

Next try would be a motor factor. They may have to order one (or a "top end" kit) for you though so it may not be instant.


obfripper - 16/5/18 at 02:31 PM

1.6 E-Max Sierra

61-25540-10 reinz headgasket
02-25540-02 reinz headgasket set

Any factor that sells mahle filters should be able to order these from their distributor.

Dave


jps - 16/5/18 at 02:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by obfripper
1.6 E-Max Sierra

61-25540-10 reinz headgasket
02-25540-02 reinz headgasket set

Any factor that sells mahle filters should be able to order these from their distributor.

Dave


Cheers Dave - obviously i've been looking in the wrong places!


mcerd1 - 16/5/18 at 02:54 PM

according to the pinto book, the e-max has 87.67mm pistons but a short stroke of only 66mm (same as a 1300cc)

but the 2.0l versions (1993cc) use a bore of 90.82mm - so maybe a 2.0 gasket would also fit (all be it with a with a tiny drop on the compression ratio) - not sure if there are any other changes except the bores....


complete working pinto's can be pretty cheap though, maybe you could ditch the Emax for something with a bit more grunt

[Edited on 16/5/2018 by mcerd1]


jps - 16/5/18 at 03:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
complete working pinto's can be pretty cheap though, maybe you could ditch the Emax for something with a bit more grunt
[Edited on 16/5/2018 by mcerd1]


Hoping to eventually, the initial aim is for the age related plate on registration...


chris - 16/5/18 at 06:27 PM

i get my gaskets from gaskets for classics on ebay or from the gasket shop again ebay


obfripper - 16/5/18 at 06:51 PM

Just to add, if your headbolts are torx head they are stretch bolts and should be replaced, 12pt spline head are standard bolts and can be reused ok.

If you need them: 14-32015-01 Reinz headbolt set.

Dave