Second hand head preparation
Turbo Mini Forums

Right, this project has been a long time coming, but as I'm expecting the body back from the painters this weekend things are once again progressing. All the various parts I had collected so far for the turbo conversion are now appearing out of their various corners once again.

I bought a 12G295 head off eBay last year that had apparently been in some one's shed for a long time. What preparation would you all recommend I perform the head to get it ready for use, i.e. the valves and springs where all still on the head, should I use these or replace with new items, what needs cleaning, etc.? <- or should I get a pro to do all this?
Also is it worth spending the money on getting it converted to unleaded as opposed to running it with lead additive? I think Morspeed quoted me £155 last year to do the conversion and to clean the head up at the same time.

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

If it has been sat for a long time the valve stem seals will almost certainly have gone hard and will need replacing.

It is always a good idea whilst a cylinder head it off to inspect the valve seats. If they are very badly pitted then they will need recutting, otherwise simply grinding the valves into the head will suffice. Also whilst the springs are off check the sideways movement of the valve stem in the valve guide, if this is excessive then new valve guides will be needed and then the valve seats will need to be recut to suit the new guides.

None of this is especially difficult to check if you know what to look for but if you are not sure get someone with an experienced eye to look over it for you.

Thanks for that Tom.

Any recommendations on whether to convert to unleaded?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

Only you can decide that, you'd need to balance how many miles you will do per year and the cost and arseache of having to put additive in all the time, with the cost of converting a head.

Personally I'd convert any head on a car of mine to unleaded to save the hassle, but that's just me.

Dont fit inserts into 295 heads, within a short amount of time the head will crack. I think your best bet is to use additive.

If it were me i'd replace the valve springs with ones matched to the cam and have the seats cut. If its for use in a turbo i might also concider having a large exhaust valve seat cut if your using std valves (i think i'll help keep valve temps down??)

I've seen the future and tbh its Pie

I do have a turbo exhaust manifold. But if you have a solution that saves cutting the bulkhead I'm all ears.

Thats the first time I have heard about valve inserts causing the head to crack?

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

http://mini.twisted-design.net/blog/

I've seen the future and tbh its Pie