i would use a sharping stone to linish block deck serface / clean up scratches
light rub is all u need

I've got some scratches around the head bolt that I had removed... They are on the block face and you can feel them when you run your fingers over them... I was told that Hylomar gasket spray should help seal this...

Should I try and use some fine wet and dry to smooth this up at all or should I just leave it and use plenty of sealant in that area?

I can get pics if needed...

I did the exact same thing you mentioned... The thread just wound out by hand after getting the head off...

And fluid in number 2... I rooted the gasket up with a broad knife so i couldn't fully see where the problem was...

I had a head bolt break off once. After removing the other bolts, I was able to carefully pry the head all around and get it to come up aobut 3mm ... just enough to get a hacksaw blade in there and cut it off.

The bolt, if it gets water on it can rust/corrode to the aluminum and get stuck. It's not too common, but can happen.

oval port a14 head withy bigger valves is much better, just get it checked for not gone soft ior warped if its been cooked as well. the rocker gear swaps straight over.

Damn!!!!! I just snapped a head bolt... Damn thing was rusted in there...

Its sitting above the block but the head is also stuck on... Might take the engine out and take the lot down to a machine shop...

Put the 1200 head back on!The 1400 head also requires the longer push rods and because of the size and shape of the combustion chambers,you will loose compression without further mods.

Edit:What am i talking about!!Your pushrods are fine cause its going on a 1200 block....need more coffee!!

Doing this today... Taking both heads to the machine shop to see what the guys think...

Anyone else with some info? Time is of the essence!

Yeah, i fixed the problem, i put the radiator cap back on tightly!

Its got a good cooling system, just a stupid owner...

I have the A14 oval port head and an intake manifold, but only the standard A12 exhaust manifold, which I would assume is no real drama...

Does anyone know which head gasket i will need to use if I put this A14 head onto the A12 block? Is it worthwhile to do? Will it be more beneficial down the track for tuning?

Or should I just stick to the A12 head...

I am a bit pissed off cause everything seemed to be running sweet, aside from needing to replace the uni's and then all of a sudden it was rooted...

The rocker gear will fit, but the manifolds may not,

depending on how bad you cooked it, the head on there now may still be fine with a light skim.

Have you fixed the cause of the overheating yet, that's probubly the first thing you want to do.

[EDIT] You can check the valves in the A14 head by sitting it on its side and filling the ports with water/wd40/metho/whatever and seeing if any leaks through. and put a straight-edge over the gasket face.