Seems I have this job to do.....

Im a virgin to this job....

Tips and best practices welcome

 

Any help out there for car-nut?

 

Disclaimer: I am not a mechanic!!! I changed my distributor & rotor for the first time a week ago :-D

Take photos every step of the way, label everything, and clean as you go?

'62 is a 6 cylinder, right? Can't be TOO bad.

 

Its actually on the 4.2 420G no difference to the E 3.8 really
just a ball ache of a job, plus it puts the project back a bit

 

I can't remember when the blocks were slotted between cylinders. The later blocks had LOOOONG studs that went into the main webs and coolant surrounded them causing corrosion (Except the 4 end ones).
I always pull the LONG studs with a '3 roller' type stud puller and the head will come right off. If they get stuck in the head, I place the head between two work benches and POUND them out, and clean the stud holes with a drill bit and a 'dingle-berry' hone.

Clean the threads with a die or a chaser (7/16 X 24 I think)

The ones by the starter may be more corroded and need replacement.

I also have a 7/16 tap on a long 1/4" extension for cleaning the block out before the studs go back in.

I did alot of valve jobs on Series III XJ6 over the years, but not in the last 15 years or so.

Ask questions if you need more info.

bob gauff

 

Bob,

A few people have said remove the head with the exhaust manifold and inlet manifolds attached do you think that is the best way to do it, to save a bit of time ?

 

That is the way I remove the XJ6 heads. I have not worked on a Mark 10/420G in 20 years.
The only problem is the intake removal if it is stuck to the head. I have had to temporarily bolt the head to a bare block in the shop and use a 'porta-power' hydraulic jack between the intake and oil filter area 'bulge' to break loose a REALLY stuck manifold.
Usually a BFH and a block of wood is enough.

If you are just replacing the head gasket without machine work then leave both manifolds in place.

BOTH manifolds in place will also balance the head so it doesn't 'tilt' on a lifting crane.
I use a web belt (old seat belt) threaded under the cams to lift the head.
You can also remove the ceramic from some old spark plugs and weld some custom 'hooks' threaded into 2 plug holes.

bob gauff

 

Bob,

It is really appreciated that you are sharing your wealth of knowledge....

I checked my container for head gaskets and I had a couple:

1) Aluminium
2) A card type with aluminium sections

On discussing head gaskets with someone who builds a lot of engines.

He said use an XJ6 S3 Head gasket.

I welcome any views and what you have used and recommend…..

 

I have not set a later head gasket against an early one for comparison but I guess they would be the same. All 4.2 engines should be the same dimensions for the head gasket.
The Series III should be the later technology for composition gaskets and maybe more reliable than earlier gaskets.

bob gauff