[crepello]

Don't suppose the crankshaft moved while the head is off? That could have shifted the liners, which is why the flywheel locking tool is specified in the Rover version of the WSMs.

BTW, if a block is skimmed as Dist mentioned, what compensation would be possible for the consequently higher tops of the liners?

[heraldcoupe]

Don't suppose the crankshaft moved while the head is off? That could have shifted the liners,

No, it was kept in position. Moving the crank wouldn't have moved the liners in unison, for two forced upwards, the other two would have a downward force exerted.

Here are some pictures of the damaged gasket

[heraldcoupe]

Well I've been back in the workshop for another look.

My kneejerk assessment that the liners were raised was wrong. Unfamiliarity with the engine led to my mis-interpreting which part was referred to in the measurement. It turns out the liners all sit between 2-3 thou above the deck. So that little panic is over.

What does concern me is that the 'ultimate' gasket did not sit cleanly over the shoulderr. Once more, unfamiliarity meant I didn't recognise this as a problem, though with hindsight it should have been blindingly obvious...
I dug out the previously fitted gasket which fits perfectly around each of the shouldered liners, where the new one sits on top.

So is this something anyone else has encountered? It seems like the elastomer gasket is my best option in any case given the liner heights, but I am concerned about the other one not physically fitting,

Cheers,
Bill.

[E_T_V]

The gasket should sit on top of the liners as that is how it seals.

20160521_121652 by E_T_V, on Flickr

20160521_121624 by E_T_V, on Flickr

The photos are of a 1.8 so your liners will be much thicker.

20160511_203820 by E_T_V, on Flickr

[crepello]

I dug out the previously fitted gasket which fits perfectly around each of the shouldered liners, where the new one sits on top.

Now there's a clue! I'm pretty sure the shouldered liners identify your block as a wet liner/closed deck one. This should be robust enough to reward your persistence. My engines are both of this type and I had been puzzling about compatibility with MLS gaskets myself, and not finding any information anywhere. You should read Vulgalour's thread where he's had a successful outcome using another manufacturer's take on the MLS technology. Judging by his photos, he's got the self same gasket as I have sitting in its shrink wrap beside me, which is a BGA CH9353M. This has conventional fire rings, and measured through the shrink wrap, these have a bore of 82.5mm, if you'd like to check your liner shoulder diameter.

Edit: E_T_V posted while I was composing the above. His photos show a later damp liner/open deck block - hence the deep coolant 'wells' around the liners, and non-shouldered liners.

[961tat]

i have done MLS gasket on wet liner/closed deck one 1400 cc last year using eBay item number:200533973765 with no problems 5000 miles on the main issue is that all the liners are level (check with a good straight edge not ruler ) if not then your wasting your time . MLS gasket will fit on any k series but the liners have to be level .
Good luck with your gasket

i also ported and skimed my head as the instuctions on dva power website at the same time , as an experiment for power increase ( before i port my vvc 1. 8 ) its works realy well ( took weeks die grinding and polishing ) but worth the effort and good gains all round .
As anyone on here done a VVC solid cam conversion ? and if so what ignition system did they use ?

[heraldcoupe]

Now there's a clue! I'm pretty sure the shouldered liners identify your block as a wet liner/closed deck one. This should be robust enough to reward your persistence.

It is indeed one of the earlier wet liner types - I've mentioned this in other threads, but realise I'd not touched on it in this one. The previous owner had an MLS gasket fitted, the fire rings on that one sit neatly around the shoulders, whereas the latest type is a little smaller across the bores.

I've ordered a Payen gasket which I am now hoping will actually fit the shouldered liners, now that I know there is a difference...

All a learning process,

Cheers,
Bill.

[ROVER Cabby]

try not to look at the mems 3 engines as its a bit more work to make them work

Oi !

[crepello]

The previous owner had an MLS gasket fitted, the fire rings on that one sit neatly around the shoulders, whereas the latest type is a little smaller across the bores.

I've ordered a Payen gasket which I am now hoping will actually fit the shouldered liners, now that I know there is a difference...

In the absence of much existing data on MLS on wet liner engines, I'd be interested to know what the make of the previous gasket was, and whether your Payen fits the shoulders when it arrives.

Apart from anything, I'm sure we'd like to applaud!

[heraldcoupe]

In the absence of much existing data on MLS on wet liner engines, I'd be interested to know what the make of the previous gasket was, and whether your Payen fits the shoulders when it arrives.

Apart from anything, I'm sure we'd like to applaud!

It's been a bit more of an endurance test than I'd hoped. I'll keep everyone updated.
My concern now is to ensure that no framents of the latest gasket have found their way into the oilways. I've been careful, but you can imagine that I wasn't expecting to find slivers of metal when I initially lifted the gasket,

Cheers,
Bill.