Removing the Head!

[Abiella]

Ok, So after fitting new manifold gaskets and exhaust I decided to drive to Bristol in my 126 from Devon which is a couple of hours each way, He was brilliant all the way to Bristol, and the next day on the way back he was doing fine untill on the very last leg he started back firing and I heard the familiar sound of the exhaust not on properly.

So my manifold nearest to the front has come lose and hense broken the seal of the exhaust arm connecting to the main body of the exhaust.
Biggest problem is the fact that the reason for this is that the thread is broken in the head of the engine where the manifold connects to it so the bolt has come lose and just dropped out.
so I am going to take the head off and re-tap it then use a Helicoil to fix the problem.
also changing the gasket whilst I do this.
does any one have a any tricks or is there anything I should know before I go ahead and do this?

Thanks

[Rusty's Uncle]

There has been so much written about this problem on the forum so a search might give you some ideas. But in the meantime if it is the front exhaust elbow you should be able to fix that in situ without removing the head assuming you have got the kit to do the work. If not you wil probably find buying the kit on eBay cheaper than the strip down then having the work done. Once helicoiled I would advise fitting studs then use stainless nuts to avoid future problems.

[Abiella]

Ok, great, I did a little search but didn't find any completed job's... I'll have another look.
Its the Elbow hardest to get to. 
I think as I've never done this before it will be a bit of a challenge but I'm up for it... Just got to find that  manual!

[Rusty's Uncle]

By the "front" I read it the other way around so that makes life a little bit harder but still do-able in situ. Another job where a mirror will be handy. You should have just about enough room but if you want more then you could support the engine on a jack and remove the back pannel along with the rear bumper then lower the engine a little more to give you more space. If you go that way then it would also be a good opportunity to clean out the centrifugal oil filter if that has not been done for a while.
Have you fitted helicoils before?
I have found that a stripped M8 thread , although the resultant hole is smaller than the M10 x 1.25  tapping size , will take the larger M10 tap into the soft aluminium without the need for drilling.
Removing the rocker box cover will also give you better access.

[Abiella]

Ok, so I was going to Helicoil the Head and upload photo's as no one seems to have done that yet but my Garage man persuaded me to let him do a proper job and fix four studs in so the problem never happens again. He has fixed the same sized screws/studs as before. Fingers Crossed 

Here is the job he did.


You can just see both sides on this one... forgot to take a photo before I put the head back on.

[eben80]

THis is what you were looking for? 
http://club126uk.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6044.msg41946#msg41946
My opinion is that it's easier to remove the engine if you want to helicoil the number 2 cylinder studs.

On some of the really bad threads I have been replacing it with solid self-cutting inserts.

[Abiella]

Ah ha... yes! I couldn't find it. nice work.. you are braver that me!