Head install tip

When refitting the head on a Commando it helps to have another person poking the pushrods into place while you do the same on the other side. But if you're doing it alone, try tying rubber bands around the rocker arms and stretching them to studs above. The elastics keep tension on the rocker arms and keep them in contact with the pushrods while you fiddle with head positioning.

Very helpful tip and picture. Thanks!

I wish I would have thought of that last time. thanks for the tip.

Great tip. And, while on the topic of cylinder head installation, here is an excerpt from Haynes:

“ A Britool 3/8 in W. square drive socket spanner used in conjunction with the Britool A97 extension and a free tommy bar, is recommended for tightening the recessed cylinder head bolts. A Stanwille or Gordon 1/4in W open box spanner is recommended for the other bolts that have restricted access.”

I felt I was doing well to recognize this as code suggesting a method for getting accurate torque on the cylinder head fasteners, but that’s where my translation breaks down. The factory workshop manual is even more imprecise as any recommendations are entirely omitted. So, I’m interested to see how others have been doing this for the last 35+ years. What general combination of adapters and homemade apparatuses are used to access these recessed nuts and bolts?

Jumex said:

So, I’m interested to see how others have been doing this for the last 35+ years. What general combination of adapters and homemade apparatuses are used to access these recessed nuts and bolts?

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Most of us file or grind down the appropriate wrench or socket until it clears. I think it was Ludwig who said he has done the grinding on the actual bolt heads/nuts to reduce them to a smaller size socket/wrench. If you're selective when buying tools you can find ones that already are almost thin enough. Hazet is a good example of a brand that makes rather thin finely finished tools.

I used that rubberband method for the last 30 years but I use only 2 bands ;1 for right inlet over the head to left out and vice versa It somethimes is helpfull to use one to keep them pushrods in place(as far up into the head as possible) by weaving one throuh the pushrods and fix the on the 2 studs
after the head is on the barell simpy cut the elastics to let the pushrods drop into the camfollowers
All this is only when the engine is in the frame off course




weird but the last time I did fit the head on the barell my fingers seemed to have grown becouse I could keep them in place Who said old men schrink?
BTW I somewhere read on this forum how to make an reverse camplate.I made mine by grinding the notches in a standard one only to find afterwards that you can swap the plate over Here s how I did it
Press the spidle off
Turn the camplate 180°(like a pancake)
turn it 180°(12 o clock becomes 6 o clock)
press the spidle back on
Or buy one from Mick Hemmings