Saving Old Seagulls

I have to admit that i haven't had much chance to run my seagulls this year (forty minus & 40 plus) only entered this game last year.

Anyway last year i got my forty minus running and i used it a few times, last year i noticed a slight weep coming from the bottom end (Block to Crank case) i was advised to ignore it as she was running well. Anyway when i used her on Friday i also noticed a very slight weep of dark residue on the top of the block coming from the head gasket.

I suffered a power loss and drop in revs after about 10minutes running which lasted about a minute and then she picked up again and i had no further problems, i put this down to a fuel problem. So am going to clean the fuel system through again as i found evidence of debri when i emptied the tank when i got home.

If you do advise removing the head to anneal and reseal the head gasket it is an engine with countersunk screws instead of bolts. Just to make it a little more demanding for me.

Might be time for a rebuild and to check the water galleries, but I seriously doubt that you will be able to remove the head screws as they will have corroded in place from the water jacket side
Can you live with it and its problems as it is? You probably can anneal the head gasket or get a new one from John, and a cylinder base gasket - your other problems are just down to dirty fuel/fuel lines and fittings.

I've cleaned the fuel system out well again, couldn't see anything in the second filter (One on the banjo bolt)

I don't have a problem changing the bottom end gasket, but i know what a gamble it is once i try to take off the head. On another engine i inverted the block and filled it with penetrating oil for a week ot two and removed the head without any problems. But that engine also had bolts and not screws.

I feel i should remove the head, but appreciate the difficulties i'll probably face as it's a 1962 engine with countersunk screws. Thought i'd see if the general feeling on here with "the experts" were to reccomend going for it or leaving it alone.