10 Jun 2026

 10 Jun 2026

Bright and early, I borrowed a nice original Minor 1000 and went into town to pick up the only single can of Hylomar available (well that I could track down anyway) then back to get the job done again. 

Absolutely no idea what happened the night before, as to why it didn't seal and coolant flowed everywhere, but it was time to fix that for a second go around.

Off came the head again and even though there was coolant flowing all around the permimiter of the head last night, there was not a drop in any of the cylinders. As I was lifting the new copper head gasket off I noticed that four of the head studs were only finger tight in the block. Now I would expect that they probably came loose when the head nuts were loosened to remove the head, but who knows. I have never encountered loose head studs before. I tightened them down as best I could and with the mating surfaces all cleaned up again, just in case we missed something last night, it was time for the gasket, re-using the new one from last night. One slight change though, a quick coat of Hylomar on the gasket and the faces of the block and head. I haven't used it before, but it was easy enough to do. 

As I was fitting the head back on another member of the Albury Morris Club, who I was lucky enough to meet on the way to Perth last year for the Morris nationals (when the car was leaking alarming amounts of oil, just after its total rebuild!), dropped by for moral support, which was much appreciated!

Head back in place everything tightened back to where it was supposed to be, even torqued the engine steady support head stud back to the 28 foot pounds permitted (all the others back to their correct torque), all hoses connected and it was time for a start. It fired up after a few cranks, it is one of those cars that would be best described as "not a morning car", it has always been reluctant to start from cold.

There was a moments panic when I noticed a bit of coolant on the block, though it turned out to be nothing as there was no leak and the car was running fine. I took the car for a quick run around the block and all seemed fine, no leaks and it was running well.

To celebrate we went and had lunch.

I made my way back to the highway and it was with a degree of nervousness that we approached that hill again, 24 kilometres out of Albury. With luck or good fortune or whatever it may be the car made it up the hill without a problem and we were off to Canberra, where I had to be by 6:30 pm for dinner with a friend. 

The car soldiered on just fine, and while I figured that we should be able to make Canberra with the tank of fuel from the 9th, I decided to make sure it would be best to refill it again at Gundagai. So we stopped for a celebratory pic with the dog on the tucker box.

Well we made it to Canberra, just in time for a check in and very quick shower. The rush was wasted though as dinner was unfortunately cancelled. Heck though we got there and while I missed out on a nights paid for accommodation and a dinner, I managed to get the car fixed and back on the road, with the invaluable assistance and help from some wonderful, kind people, without who's assistance I would have been royally stuffed and the trip would have ended before it began. I really can't thank them enough for their time and help sorting it all out!