The recessed-ring gasket works well... IF...
-a quality gasket is used
-head studs/nuts in good shape or upgraded
-all surfaces are true & correct spec & finish
-the head is properly torqued & RETORQUED.
Most gasket failures that I see are a result of failure to RETORQUE!
There's no problem decking the block flat and using the early gasket if necessary.
A set of good head studs and good engine cooling will help keep it clamped down.
Your other options are the questionable core engine that you might find, and sleeving your present block back to standard, $$$ and not without some degree of risk... ie operator-sensitive work
Glen
--Previous Message--
: I was having the "Well I guess it's
: a good thing I opened it up"
: conversation with myself. If I thought
: a used 1500 would be a less expensive
: reliable option I'd be shopping around
: for one. However, anything I find will
: likely be in this condition already!
:
: Next question: Bore size and block
: decking.
: While collecting background information
: regarding 1500 engine rebuilding I
: found the article linked to below. The
: author is commenting that boring the
: 1500 out any more than +20 is
: questionable if you don't deck the
: block to remove the head gasket fire
: ring spotfaces... and use the earlier
: flat 1300 gasket set. Any comments
: from those who have faced this? I
: anticipate that the shop is going to
: tell me they need to go to +60 from its
: current +30. Should I anticipate
: having to deck the block flat and
: remove the spotfaces?
:
: Link:
:
: http://triumphspitfire.rickbaines.com/weaknesses-of-triumphs-1500-engine/
:
: Doug L.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Well this should put your mind at ease
: a
: bit. It sounds like the engine was not
: too many miles from doing the WHAKA
: WHAKA tune, all too common with the
: 1500 engine...
: Glen
:
:
:
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