[Markcoopers]

A few years back I built a DIY mk1 head complete with converted twin 40's as ITB's. I made 163bhp on a skimmed (42 thou) Piper 285h cams head with aforementioned carb itb's and a mazdaspeed exhaust manifold and MX5 parts system controlled by a MS2 Plug n Play ECU. Quite happy with myself.

However 1500 track only miles later and the bottom end rings are shot and my oil consumption is excessive......so rebuild time. ( I ran it too rich)

I have a VVT motor and originally was going to straight swap this in and add a ME221 ecu and proper jenveys as it is also now a road car. But put simply I do not want to start hacking around the wiring and or lopping off loom plugs to adapt the harness. It may still be an option, but probably plan b at this stage.
So my other cunning plan is to take my improved mk1 head and add this to the stock VVT bottom end. Gaining a bit of compression and a better oil pump in the process. So the questions are.....

Which gasket do I use?
How reliable is this?
Will any timing belt work?
Anything of note I should be aware of?

I realise retaining the whole VVt is an option, I am just looking for reliable advise as I do my research, as I suspect there is a specific gasket that is needed and I wonder if I am also building in other issues

 

[Markcoopers]

It appears that either Gasket is applicable. In general in hotter climates the earlier gasket and the coolant reroute are recommended, in Cooler climates and non FI (cooler cars) the later gasket apparently.

Well according to the internet at least.

 

[Dickie]

Use the gasket for the head not the block, The VVT Head gasket should only be used with the VVT head.
Cambelts should interchange without a problem.
It should be a simple swap just use all the sensors from your original set up.
Just use the CAS and don't bother with the crankshaft sensor.
I am running a Mk2 Head on a VVT block 1840cc installed in a 1994 Eunos.
I take it you already have vernier cam wheels, the stock cambelt tensior starts to run out of adjustment at 60 to 80 thou skims.

 

[Markcoopers]

Thank you Dickie. Your not Dickie that I used to know in the Westfield club, edited the mag for a while by chance?

I have a 42thou skim, but I do have a set of eBay special verniers, just not so sure they are that good to fit as when they arrived they looked cheap.

I was intending to use all the OEM sensors so again a plug n play ECU can be fitted easily and to me at least a far easier install that is reversible if I ever wish so.

kind of want to keep the old carbs though, so may look at heritage jenveys as they do look good😀

 

[Markcoopers]

This coolant re route, is it worth it?
To date I have not bothered, but I bet you piston 4 is where my compression and bore ware issues are.

 

[dadbif]

I fitted the coolant reroute to create space at the front of the engine for the supercharger installation, no discernible improvement, absolute pain in the backside to fit and remove the hose, which in turn restricted access to the oil filter.
My head gasket still failed around the oil return at the RH rear next to No.4 cylinder.
Personal choice, but I wouldn’t do it again.