Originally Posted by
MikeFleming
What head gasket was installed (blue, black, special?)? Could you determine where the gasket was leaking from by looking at the gasket by itself? Looking at head surface? Looking at block surface? Investigate. Pictures, measurements, etc. How thick is the outgoing compressed gasket?
Did all the head studs / nuts appear to have retained near the same break-away torque to loosen?
Yes - that cast iron head is HEAVY. ~50Lbs assembled with cam. MUCH easier to pull all the studs from the block so you don't need to lift straight up an additional 6" inches to clear. And install the head without thte studs to save some back muscles too. Then re-fit the studs to block (DO NOT loctite to block - use engine oil only after cleaning all threads)
FYI: Proper British terms for R&R:
Remove and Refit - take a part off, inspect, clean, re-install same part (new gaskets, etc.)
Remove and Replace - take a part off, replace with new spare part. New gaskets, etc.