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Name that head

Posted by mgamike

MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Jaguar, Classic British Car Restoration Parts & Accessories

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Name that head #1
mgamike Michael Beitenhaus Cincinnati, Ohio, USA 1960 MG MGA 1600	Posted: July 04, 2012 04:57PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 33

I have had my MGA 1600 for about a year and it just dawned on me that the head has "18" stamped on the back. It also has 565394 stamped in the front. So I guess I am safe in assuming that this is a head from an MGB. That is fine with me since I like the car as a driver and don't have a need for it to be completely original. I have been considering using lead additive but now am unsure of the generation of the head and if that is needed. There are no ports for air. From this information is it possible to date the head or will I need to remove the valve cover, which hasn't leaked a drop. I suppose I should do the tappets anyway. All help is much appreciated.

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Re: Name that head #2
Basil Adams About 12 miles from Sears Point, USA	Posted: July 04, 2012 06:40PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 6,073

Michael,
Take off the oil cap and shine a light in. On the deck of the head will be a casting number of either 12H906 (3 main MGB head) or 12H1326 (Early 5 main MGB head.) It might be 12H2709 (non US non-smog head) Next to that will be a date circle with 3 numbers arranged in a circle. Those numbers are the month, day, and year your head was cast. You probably can;'t see those without pulling the rocker cover but maybe???

If you're going to replace lifters, give serious consideration to switching to the late MGB lifters and pushrods. A set of MGA pushrods alone is $49 and a set of harder-than-stock late MGB lifters and new pushrods is $48. You get harder and lighter lifters and longer push rods (less angularity) and save a buck. I keep all of that on hand if I can help. Thanks. Basil 707.762.0974 basiladams@yahoo.com

Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

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