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MG MGA - Water/Oil Passage under #11 Stud???

Thanks for the interest in the thread. Hopefully you can help me!

Do you know if there is an oil or water passage that goes underneath the #11 head stud on the 1622cc motor?

Long story is that several years ago on the 500 mile retorquing I sheared the #11 head stud (when will parts suppliers supply studs that meet the torque specifications?!?) at 1/2 the required torque for the studs. I couldn't get the stud out and wound up taking the cylinder head off as well as drilling out the stud as best I could (which wasn't very well). I got too into the drilling and went through all the stud and through the block. Now there is an 1/8" hole underneath the stud hole.

I am taking this to the welder/machine shop tomorrow. If they just weld up this 1/8" hole from the bottom and clean out the hole for a helicoil, will this fix my problem or am I looking at issues with water/oil passages that are in that area?

Any help you have would be sincerely appreciated!

-Jamie DeRienzo
J DeRienzo

Jamie-
Do not try to weld it! If such is attempted, it will cause all sorts of metallurgical trouble with the CI block. They can't get to the bottom in any event, and if they are competent, they will tell you the same thing. Use a sealant on the stud; all sorts of engines have studs running into water jackets with no problem.

FRM
FR Millmore

Thanks for the quick response! I understand the metallurgical troubles now that you mention them.

I'm a little puzzled by "They can't get to the bottom in any event." I have the block out of the car and thus any part is easily accessible.

What sort of epoxy/filler do you recommend for this hole? Is there a water jacket there?
J DeRienzo

If the drill went into empty space, then yes, there is a water jacket there. The "bottom" is inside the jacket, no access. If you meant start at the bottom of the stud hole and work up, then you could do that, but it is very difficult to weld in a small but deep hole. The weld will not be successful, will be hard as hell = not machinable, will distort the block, and will likely crack anyway. If you like, you could tap the small hole for a small setscrew, set flush with the hole bottom and Loctited in place, or you could squeeze a tiny bit of epoxy to fill the little hole while not filling or diminishing the length of the threaded stud hole. It is not necessary or advisable to do this; as stated. many engines have threaded holes straight into water jackets; these engines are something of an old school rarity of casting practice. Use a thread sealant like Permatex or Loctite on the threads and forget it.

FRM
FR Millmore

Despite my best efforts to destoy the block the extraordinary efforts of a local welding shop was able to save my block AND threads!!! So now I just need a good block cleaning and a recommendation for an epoxy sealant for the hole in the bottom of the block right under the #11 head stud.
J DeRienzo

Just wanted to clarify-

I cleaned out and inspected the hole I accidentally drilled. Turns out there doesn't appear to be a water passage under the stud! I will definitely be keeping an eye on that hole to make sure fluids aren't leaking when we get the motor buttoned up and running, but for now we are more than thanking the car gods for finally smiling on the Coupe again!

Thanks for your help and advice!
J DeRienzo

This thread was discussed between 30/09/2009 and 01/10/2009

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.