Part 2 - 1971 MG Midget, Valve Seals, Springs, and Head Gasket Install

This video follows the reinstallation of the valves, valve springs and seals, and Head gasket on my 1971 Midget.
I am not a mechanic so this content is intended as entertainment only.

[@gregmooradian3711]

I had gross jets in mine that caused the same issue. Got the right parts from Joe Curto . If there’s no vacuum leaks definitely fuel starvation. Try increasing the spark plug gap from 25 to 35 that helps also. Beautiful MG love your work!

[@ronjmeneses]

It's likely your head stud snapped because it was over torqued - actually, over stressed. In watching your time-lapsed re-assembly, it looked like you lubricated the stud nuts before you torqued them. Torque specifications are not meant to be accurate for lubricated fasteners. When using a torque wrench, do not lubricate the fasteners. By doing that, you are introducing much more tensile stress on the stud than is intended by the time the correct torque is reached. You might find that your head gasket will fail prematurely because of the excess crushing force on it. You may also find that one or more additional studs may break in-use because of being over stressed. My first car (1981) was a '71 Midget - British Racing Green, Saddle colored vinyl interior, and wire wheels. What a fun car!

[@fredknoch]

Oil the stud threads in the block but not the threads for the nut correct?

[@midgetmakeover]

Thanks for your comment. You may be correct but my manual says to lube the threads before torque is applied. I’ll keep an eye on the other studs.

[@craigsowers8456]

Sorry about the Bog ... had the same issue on my '61 MGA after rebuild by a Pro MG mechanic. Sounds like the Carbs and SU's are a royal pain to balance (be sure you're using the right oil ... racers use ATF instead of oil). Try new oil in the carbs/balance (if you have access to the requisite vacuum device) and ensure the timing advance is working. After all that "mucking about" ... trash the SU's and get a Weber DGV conversion kit from Redline ...

[@midgetmakeover]

Thanks. I understand the frustration. I may go that route eventually.

[@craigsowers8456]

@@midgetmakeover Certainly "safer" ... love how the Brits placed their intake/carbs over the exhaust manifold ... those "cork washers" burn well. LOL

[@fredknoch]

Too lean of an adjustment on the jets?

[@Shiznit304]

what on earth were you censoring ? lol