Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all. Having had my freinds 62 interceptor mk1 rebored to +20 i have brought new crossrings for it from our hosts at the same size but when i torque down the head to 20ft/lbs as stated in the manual the rings are nipping the pistons slightly. The pistons will go past but there is a definate nip there can anyone tell me where i am going wrong. I have used 2 paper gaskets under the barrels. My thoughts are to raise the barrels slightly with another gasket to stop the nipping. But is this the way to go? Thanks ed

Ed, you need +20 Cross Rings to go with the rebore. Simples!
REgards, Mark

Hi mark. I have got +20 crossrings. They arrived yesterday but this problem persists....

Torquing the head down shouldn't make any difference. Surely the tight spot is there without the head on as well? Did you gap the rings correctly?

Hi pete. Yes rings are all gapped. The tightspot is bang on TDC the piston is definatly nipping the crossring. Ed

Ed, if the rings are from our Hosts get them to check a set and send you some more. The new ones are not made to the original process and can be a little variable in my experience! I thought this problem had been solved but someone on the Inter Group had the same difficulty a little while ago (as I did on my Mk1). I managed to get a genuine NOS set for my Mk2 through contacts. It is also possible that if the heads have been skimmed clearances might be over tight, there is a compression plate available as well, as fitted to late Mk1s and subsequent models.
REgards, Mark

Barnes I had exactly the same problem back in November with a 1A Inter I ended up using slightly thicker gasket material, went gasket, compression plate, gasket. Can't remember how thick the compression plate was buy it was very thin probably about 10 thou

Hi all. Thanks for your replies. I believe the barrels have been skimmed in the past. I have added 1 extra paper gasket under the barrels and its now fine. I think also the heada have been skimmed as the spark plugs are also touching the piston crown. Only way i can see around this is to insert a thicker compression washer. Thanks ed