having to wait for valve guides and springs I had a closer look at the head gasket
In fact two were fitted(laminate type)
http://www.vicsjavascripts.org/BSA/HeadGaskets.jpg
any reason why two should be fitted.
The new gasket appears to be solid
annealing has been metioned, what temperature and how long?
I only have a domestic oven available.
Thanks Vic
Bright red,
No need to hold it there .
Oven will be too cold.
propane torch will be good enough.
start at one end when it gets to red then move the torch slowly taking the red with you as you traverse all of the gasket face.
A light rub with steel wool to clean off the oxide.
Roll your thumbnail on the gasket it should leave an indent if the gasket is full soft.
25 ft/lbs should be more than enough tension for all but 10:1 compression ratios.
Thick washers are essential for alloy heads to spread the load and prevent the head collapsing back into the stud hole.
If you buy them go to a car parts shop and ask for some thigh tensile head bolt washers.
Run the engine for an hour or so , let it cool then retension.
After that every couple of runs check that the bolts are still tensioned fully. Repeat till none are found loose.
Sometimes only 1 retension is needed some times it may tack 4 or more nip ups till they are stable.