2500 TC has the wrong head ?

[tadge44]

Having done some searching through the forum and identified my cylinder head casting as a 218227 I think I may have found why the performance is a bit less than I had hoped.
It appears that the CR with this head is only 7.5 :1 which may also explains why I can advance the ignition timing way beyond the normal and it still shows no signs of pinking.

Can this head be skimmed or otherwise modified to get my performance up to scratch ?

It feels reluctant to rev but I get 27mpg on any length of run.

[johnnydog]

It is surprising that it has that head fitted which apparantly was fitted to South African models according to CW!
I would think the simplest action would be to fit the correct 219016 cylinder head.
In comparison, the head you have is 0.6" greater in height, and the valves are a different length, so to skim the correct amount I would suggest would probably be a non starter, and would need new valves etc anyway, so it probably would be more cost effective to get a good used complete 219016 head.
Unfortunately they are in short supply....
I probably have a complete 219016 head off an engine, if you wanted to go down that route, but would have to check. Where abouts are you?

[Jake]

From experience, if you change the head be aware that there also several different push rod lengths relating to the head thickness. If you don't change the push rods to suit you may not have the necessary adjustment!

[johnnydog]

According to CW, the pushrods are the same length for both heads, but the valves are 1.7mm shorter using the correct 219016 head.

[tadge44]

That is what I thought.

I am in South Bucks, so a long way from you, johnnydog

What sort of price does a decent 219016 go for ?

I am in no hurry and will be looking at sorting the problem in the autumn when the car will come off the road.

I will, however, be in the Northwest in mid August, on holiday if that makes any difference.

[tadge44]

If it sheds any light on the origin of this engine it,s number is ME17292HE which unfortunately does not correspond with the number on the V5 of MM030707HCA

[tadge44]

Maybe a silly question but I am just feeling my way with this car after 40 years messing with A series engines.

What is meant by a block referred to as recessed ?

[johnnydog]

Unfortunately, an ME no is for a early Mk2 2000 engine not a 2500. MM nos were the later 2500, whereas the earlier 2.5 PI engines were MG. ML were the later 2000 engine.
The early ME engines were, in my opinion, a good engine, and with the original 4.1 diff combination, pulled very well. I have a J reg 2000 with an early ME engine which goes really well, although slightly low geared. I understand a lot of Mk1 components from MB engines were carried over to the early Mk2 engines.
To keep it original as possible, you would need to source a later complete 2500 engine, or if you decide to keep your 2000 engine, then you really need resource the correct head. The other fly in the ointment is whether it has the original 3.45 diff (for all 2.5 / 2500 cars - auto and manual) as the 2000 engine with a 2500 3.45 diff will feel too higher geared and long legged. It's easy to check what diff you have fitted- there is a serial no stamped into the flange on the lower side off the casing. A 3.45 diff should start with MG.....

[Tinsmith_Skippy]

In your previous post you said you bought the from a dealer? Depending on how it was sold / how it was described. If the dealer is a reputable one I would ask him some questions.

[tadge44]

Looks like I have been duped.

Bought the car last year so no chance to go back to the dealer. I should have been better informed.

The car is fully restored and immaculate in all respects except for the engine !