mg tf 160 bad head gasket

The big end shell is worn but in a normal way..the crank is probably good but check!
Short pistons..no wonder they like to rev.
I wonder if someone broke a ring whilst replacing them at some time.
Personally I would have left the liners in place unless scoured.

You are far enough on to do a great job of rebuilding it now and the satisfaction you will get is enormous. Well done.

that is quite worrying and I would like to figure out exactly what exactly caused the chip. my one theory is that the liner expanded at that section and the piston started making contact and eventually chipped. But yea, Whoever put this together previously was a bit of an ape and made a lot of little mistakes like using silicone glue to assemble the head and stripping a few threads so not completely unlikely that they broke it. The liner bore looks completely fine at least (will get a picture when I'm tinkering again). I got the suggestion of welding the missing material back on the piston and sanding it to the correct shape. Is this a viable solution?

Thanks!!! haven't removed the liners yet but I did rotate the crank to get access to the piston bolts as I was planning to remove them to clean the water channels a little (They seem to be a little seized and I think the previous owner used some head gasket sealant which is gluing them a little).

Do not even remotely try to weld up that piston!
I will leeave it at that.😉

wrote:

Do not even remotely try to weld up that piston!
I will leeave it at that.😉
 

I agree totally, DON'T attempt to weld up the piston!

Top marks for wanting to have a go but id add my voice to the others, best replace rather than try to repair that piston. Piston repair should only be attempted within a very advanced engineering workshop where they can check and replicate the exact metallurgy and join seamlessly to avoid creating a stress point. It's really only ever worth it if the type of piston is otherwise entirely unavailable.

No, that's a bad idea! I've seen videos of poorly equipped workshops doing remarkable work, that though is a matter of "needs must if the devil drives". I'm of the opinion, as with the rest of the lads, that your missing piece was missing before the head was put back on. If it had broken whilst running (Why/how) it would have left evidence of its departure. Order spares & rebuild.
M

I'm pretty sure that the 160 pistons were specially hardened to cope with the increased power. This could be a rogue. 
In any case, they have 160 stamped into them on the piston top face.


Edit:- Scrub that, I think I can see 160 on your piston... 
 

Mexiiiii wrote:

Finally got around to removing the piston and can properly see the the damage, was actually pretty straight forward

 . Struggling a bit to get the liners out so I'm soaking them in penetrating fluid. 
It's got the number "135" stamped in the side. Could this be a piston from a 135 engine?(or are they the same and it doesn't matter?

 

 

 

David Aiketgate wrote:-
For some reason the 160 pistons do have 135 on the side. But as above, have 160 on the face.

 

This is of course the story of my life........Pissed n broke! 🤣
I'm sure many of you have been in the same boat!