I had a better look at the head, both ends of the ruler are touching the ends of the head but there seems to be a small gap all the way down so it must be warped. Dont have a feeler gauge so off to the shop next week for a skim......

sounds good, get him to give it a light mill & change valve stem seals(wouldn't hurt),would be interesting to know how much it is warped. (if any).

I used a steel ruler for a straight edge on the head, seemed okay, I'm probably going to get it checked & pressure tested anyway, only cost 60 euros. The same guy will supply me with the gasket. I have a bad feeling that the last time it was done all of the gasket was not removed from the block.

just try and avoid it falling into gallery as much as you can,in the cylinder just blow it out, as well as the bolt holes,(watch putting air into water jacket holes you may get water everywhere, if not drained all out).did you check the head for warpage yet with a straight edge and feeler gauges.

Wont be winning any races with this.............. Worth more in sentimental value to us, I might customise it a bit if I dont much engine problems.




I cleaned the gasket off the head lastnight but there is a lot left on the block, getting it off is no problem but will i do any harm if bits fall into the chambers or galleries?

Yes it looks blown between 2 & 3. Does not mean the head is warped. I've changed A-series blown gaskets without planing the head and they were fine. (First check for warpage). Block prep is the key: get it clean, no oil on the faces, and tighten the correct pattern, 3-steps, correct torque for the '13' bolts. If you have the original bolts, replace them with a good used set of newer bolts. Re-torque every two years per the Datsun schedule. She'll last forever.

If you are trying to win a race, you may wish to blueprint the engine closer than the Datsun spec of 0.004 allowable warpage.

it appears blown between 2 & 3, is head warped.if this is the second time its happened, its telling you that the head surface or block has a problem,head may appear straight(but still may have low spots were blown)don't risk it,not much cost for a light mill(surface grind).cheers

Better picture of the gasket.....

"firstly check head for warpage"; then my suggestion would be take the head to a engine reconditioner, get it fully serviced & pressure tested.
it appears to be a bit of a oil burner by pics, maybe give the bores a hone and put a set of rings & bearing in it as well( y apart).would last forever then.
oil in water occurs when; cracked head/blown head gasket(head warpage)/crack in bore(highly unlikely)or if auto trans (radiator my be cracked). cheers ernie, welcome to the site.

Thanks guys, I'll see if I can sort a better picture of the gasket in the morning, off to bed for me, big time difference between us

Hi Adam, its a manual... thanks anyway.