miniwing2 Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 My top 80 has run in the past with only a head gasket made out of kitchen foil as this was on it when i bought it ,but sometimes is hard to start,should i replace it with the factory gasket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 I don't know if it would have any effect on starting, but yes, replace it with a proper gasket. They do them in a variety of thicknesses. Look up the correct 'squish' value, I would start here Southwest Airsports , they have loads of step by step 'how to' guides. However, I think that I read somewhere that the early Top80's didn't have a gasket..........but I'm not sure. I check the torque on the head of my Top80 every 20 hrs. Good luck, Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve342 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Top80s have an rubber O ring head gasket, had to replace mine after head bolts came loose after 6 hours from new and hot gases destroyed the O ring, will almost certainly affect starting/compression/running if the O ring is damaged or missing. Maybe depends how old the Top80 is but if it is meant to take an O ring, there is a O ring shaped indent in the mating surfaces of the cylinder head. I think I got mine at http://www.miniplane.co.uk/equipment/head-o-ring/ Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 The O ring and the gasket are different things, although they should be replaced together. On this engine diagram 11a is the O ring and 14a is the gasket. In the past I have bought a selection of gasket thickenesses because you don't know which one you will need until you come to re-assemble. When the engines are new you are supposed to re-torque the head at 2 hour and then 5 hour intervals, after that every 20 hours. Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 14a is a base gasket . Miniwings mentioned head gasket . My top 80 also has a oring for compression seal . cas . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwing2 Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 Here we go trial and error .looks as if the gasket goes under the block and the o ring on the head,.No problem there ,i suppose the serial number will determine the squish. I have sent of for them now and going to trust Russ will send me the right ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwing2 Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 1 minute ago, cas_whitmore said: 14a is a base gasket . Miniwings mentioned head gasket . My top 80 also has a oring for compression seal . cas . Got that Cas,but now i got to work out the squish Trish ,i feel like taking my life,and b4 i can do this i gota get it timed up I dont think i can go on, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas_whitmore Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 (edited) Pmsl'. I feel your pain ??? cas . Ps wouldn't worry about squish area to much , it's not like your trying to over take the bloke in front . Just get her running first . Smell the smoke ? Edited July 20, 2017 by cas_whitmore Add script Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniwing2 Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 Confidence restored,the head dont leak anyway so i think best left alone for now it certainly cant take a thinner gasket cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.