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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Identifying unleaded heads

This goes with my other thread really but simples for a man with the right info.

The 1500 engine to my other car that I have dug out to work on as a replacement to my present leaky engine is from a P reg that's in bits.

Does anyone know if these engines came ready to run on unleaded? Or does anyone have the block numbers of the change over from leaded to unleaded? Or how can I tell without taking the head off that its OK for unleaded? Or any other precautionary advice?

The engine has been off the road for some time and I don't know its history so any advice will be helpful.
Dave Squire (1500)

It would be safe to assume that the head is NOT converted to run unleaded unless you have documentary evidence that it has been.

Even removing the head will not tell you - inserts can have been fitted that are NOT hardened, the only way to tell is for an experienced person to cut the seats.

BUT - if you are going to run the engine while you rebuild the existing one then don't worry - just run it on unleaded - it won't suffer recession quickly as long as you DON'T grind the valves in - that would remove any remaining lead salts from the seats - assuming the head was run on leaded at some stage ....

Chris at Octarine Services

Sound Chris.

Apart from doing a general overlook, clean up, reassembly and service I just want to see how it goes and if poss put it in while I do the other one if I can. Can't see the one in the car keeping going much longer. I recon it will have some sort of oil related failure or the clutch will just begin to slip too much in the next few weeks.
Dave Squire (1500)

Thats an interesting question that ive yet to figure out...

how do know if the insert are in and if they are hardened...just from a visual look I cant see any indication of ither in nor out.

Would light sprinkle of pixie dust stolen from suger plume fairys work?

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Prop,

Apart from pixies with metallurgy degrees I doubt it would.

It is easy enough to see whether an insert is fitted - there is often a distinct and even ridge in the port where the insert is narrower than the original port - unless the insert has been dressed back.

As to whether thy are hardened or the correct material then as I said above that is really only revealed when you try to cut them.

My approach is don't worry until you get seat recession - then you know they are NOT hardened ....
Chris at Octarine Services

****My approach is don't worry until you get seat recession - then you know they are NOT hardened*****

The only problem with that is ....after 60xxx miles and you go stormin into the machine shop and put a strangle hold beat down butt kicking on the cly head machinist For screwing you over....

Its really embarrasing to find out the old guy is in prision and its only 3 week this new guy has been on the job. Hahaha

If your going to rub a puppys (idiot machinist) nose in the pile of crap he laid on the carpet, it should be done right after The bad act, not 3 years later

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Lol, most of the cars I service would never get to that mileage before the owner is pushing up daisies ...
Chris at Octarine Services

This thread was discussed on 21/07/2013

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