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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Head bolt torque? 1275

What are people torqueing head bolts down to? Been told 50 ibft . But using Metro Turbo black gskt with new metro style nuts . Haynes says metro turbo 55 ibft.
any thoughts?
R Mcknight

Good question!

My guess if you are only using the turbo gasket, but your car is not turboed, use the non-turbo head torque figures in the correct tightening sequence. You need to look in the manual for the torque figures and sequence.

If the gasket leaks you could then tighten up to the turbo torque (the extra '5 ft/ib', but you should check the manuals for yourself) using the correct tightening sequence (and if different sequence, undo and start again). I do not have a Metro manual to hand to determine whether 1275cc turbo heads have the same tightening sequence as 1275 Spridgets and Minis; and I seem to remember some 1275 engines have more cylinder studs than others - 1275 midgets and 1275 Mini Cooper S and 1275 GT Minis have more [12G240 head?] , as well as non-S Mini engines and small block (850cc, 948cc, 1098cc) Mini, Metro and Spridget engines).

Have you looked in Vizard's tuning A Series book?

Engine builders?

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

What studs are you using? Standard studs, it's 40lbft.
Lawrence Slater

Haynes metro manual says 50ibft for standard 1300 , and in supplement at rear of manual 55ibft for turbo .
Yes I am using standard studs but don't think the quality changed from Midget to Metro to Metro Turbo, only the use of shouldered nuts.
Thought the 948 was 40ibft and 1275 was higher.
Now I am even more confused.
R Mcknight

Sorry. yep.

BMC w/s manual.
1275 engine.
Standard plain studs 42lbft.
Studs stamped 22 or with small drill point 50lbft.
Lawrence Slater

studs with a dimple in the top (what they call a drill point), 50 will be fine.
David Smith

This thread was discussed on 15/09/2014

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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