Head Gasket Replacement, Time to upgrade Cylinder Head/Carb?

[PGM]

I have a problem where oil is leaking from the corner of the cylinder head behind the thermostat.

I'm guessing the gasket must be kaput. No signs of water in the oil or vice versa though.

Should I use this as an opportunity to upgrade the head and carb and possibly cam?

Not looking for masses of extra power but it would be nice if the engine would be a bit more eager with the enlarged valves and I'd like to keep my gearbox for more than a few months also!!

Obviously I need to retain the use of unleaded fuel and would like to retain the character of the engine so thinking along the lines of HIF44 and second hand head? Which carb needle?

Don't know anything about cams or rockers so looking for advice here - I like engines to be torquey without having to rev them too hard.

Car is a 1993 Tahiti with the HIF38 carb, K&N filter in the original housing, Minispares inlet manifold, maniflow LCB downpipe, stainless RC40 milennium exhaust.

[Cooperman]

Ideally, an MG Metro cam, HIF44 carb on 1990-1 Cooper 1275 alloy inlet & twin-pipe exhaust manifolds and an MG Metro head with about 0.030" skimmed off to raise the comp. ratio would be about ideal (or a standard head fitted with 35.6 mm inlet valves). Maybe a better exhaust system such as a twin-box 1.75" int. dia RC40 system would be good as well.
Then have it all set up on a rolling road.

[Steffan]

Good advice the cam is right for fast road use. The really way out cams suffer from a total lack of tractability and rapid wear. Very poor on the road.

This set up should give very good smooth performance.

Good Luck

[MGwob]

Hi, is your car a 1275?

If it is then see if you can get hold of an MG Metro head (later ones were unleaded) which has the larger inlet valves fitted (35.6mm?). I fitted one of these along with a HIF44 to my MG Midget and it flew.

The heads can be difficult to get hold of but they do pop up on Ebay from time to time and are reasonabley price compared to heads for specialist tuners.

As for cams it depends what you want from the engine and how the car is used (daily driver/weekend toy). The previous owner fitted a Piper HR270 to mine and it pulls pretty well and will happily trundle around town all day long. It still retains a low idle speed as well. Popular upgrades are Kent 276 and Swiftune SW5.

Hope this helps
Mark

[PGM]

Thankyou all for your advice.

It pretty much confirms the thoughts I had in my mind with the direction to go in.

I'll keep an eye on ebay.

Thanks
Paul

[PGM]

Right, I've managed to get hold of the following:

HIF44
12G940 large valve head
MG Metro Cam

What head gasket will be best or just a case of getting one at the motor factor/ebay?

With regard to skimming the head as above taking off 0.030", what would the overall dimension be (just need to make sure head is not already skimmed?)

Which carb needle do I need in it before sending it for rolling road? BDL?

Edited to ask if there are any recommendations for a RR, I'm in Bucks but willing to travel.

Thanks
Paul

[Cooperman]

You need the BK450 'black' head gasket. Mail order from 'guru1071' at Mini Spares.

[PGM]

Thankyou again.