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MG MGA - What the heck is up with the head washers

They are a huge PITA, they've deformed and the only way to get them off is to screw them off. One of the "f"ing things won't budge.

Any hints?
T McCarthy

It's had the wrong ones fitted, (which is probably why you have such severe engine problems).

They are a very special thick and hardened steel washer. You will need to buy replacements for these if a DPO has fitted ordinary ones. The correct ones don't deform or crush under the compression of the head nuts, whereas normal washers do, wich leads to the head getting looser than it should be, incorrect torque on the head studs, failed head gaskets and worse.

dominic clancy

Dominic,

These are quite thick, however they're pretty soft I originally thought that they were intended to be soft so that the deformation bit into surface imperfections.

They are horrible. The head won't budge.

Do you know if I can grab the end of the stud with a pair of vice grips and try to back the entire stud out that way?
T McCarthy

T, Put two nuts on the top of the bolt and tourque them down tight on eachother ( do not tighten down on the head) Then start backing out the lower nut and it will remove the entire bolt from the block.
WMR Bill

If you have a Dremel Kit, I would cut them off leaving the head bolts untouched.
Gordon Harrison

You could try this:
Loosen the nuts, but leave them on the studs. Remove the spark plugs and turn the engine over. The compression should lift the head.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

.....if they wont turn then a quality sharp chisle to get them to turn, then pry up the edge and unscrew with needle nose vise grips. The washer has squished into the threads.
WYATT WOLCOTT

Wyatt you are exactly right about the washers.

Solution: use dremel tool to cut screw driver slot in stud. Wrench on screwdriver back out stud.
T McCarthy

Peter, removing the plugs will destroy the compression! leave them in.
A Pearse

If you have no compression, you could stuff some rope down the spark plug hole and that will lift the head when the engine is turned.
Del Rawlins

This thread was discussed between 07/08/2008 and 10/08/2008

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.