I've ordered my new head gasket (finally! ta ra duck- chuckle) any hints for fitting it, blue hylomar or just snuck it up?

torque (yes I am going to check the manual)

Hi Phil,

It depends how thorough you want to be.

DON'T USE ANY GASKET CEMENT !

Make sure all traces of old gasket is removed and that faces of barrel and head are clean.

The barrel face rarely distorts, heads are more vulnerable.

Check faces are flat by putting the edge of a steel rule across it, hold up to the light and see if there is a gap between face and rule edge.

You can clean up a head relatively easily by using a piece of glass, approx. 30cm square, apply some valve grinding paste and oil to the glass, and move the head around on it in a circular motion, turning the head round slightly occassionally to prevent grinding it into a wedge!

This takes a little time, but leaves a perfectly flat face, with a nice, even, grey finish that seals well on the new gasket.

CLEAN OFF ALL TRACES OF GRINDING PASTE BEFORE ASSEMBLY !

Torque it down evenly, a bit at a time on each stud, using a cross pattern.

Good luck !

Roger.