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Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

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Skinnerpot
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:23 pm
Location: Gloucester

Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by Skinnerpot »

Hi All,

Reg No. KPN156

Sadly the head gasket has failed on my Daimler Conquest, I believe this may have been an ongoing issue before I owned the car, as the thermostat had already been removed. I am just looking for a new gasket set but am unsure of which one I need.

The cylinder head on the Daimler looks like it is aluminium and the car is a Conquest Drop Head Coupe, am I right in thinking this would be the 'up-rated' 100hp Century engine?

I have been looking on eBay and the prices are quite high for a set. But needs must. Would this be the correct set for my car and is the price sensible?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAIMLER-CONQ ... 1438.l2649

I have attached some photos of the engine to aid in confirming the correct set.

Thank you all.
Attachments
Alli head.jpg
Rocker Cover.jpg
An age when roads were empty, machines were simple and every journey was an adventure!

Daimler Conquest DHC (DJ252), Morris Minor, Ford Model T, Vandem Plas 1500, Reliant Drag Race Car, Nelson Steam Car, 4.5" Foden Steam Wagon

bakergh
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2016 1:57 pm
Location: New Forest, Hampshire

Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by bakergh »

Yes you have a Century engine.
The gasket set you linked to is for a Conquest strict. The copper gasket is for cast iron cylinder heads only.
The original Century head gasket is made from pressed steel and are now very rare to find.
Several of the daimler suppliers sell a re manufactured composite gasket in either a set or on its own.
This gasket is thicker than the original but as you will be having the head skimmed it should make very little difference.

Graham
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Daimler-Conq ... Swx-9Wveui

bakergh
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2016 1:57 pm
Location: New Forest, Hampshire

Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by bakergh »

Just another thought are you sure the head gasket has failed?
If it is just over heating it is usually the radiator that is the source of the problem.
If you have water and oil mixing or water in the cylinders after standing then of course it is the head gasket.

Graham

classiclife
Classic Wise Man
Classic Wise Man
Posts: 1601
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:55 am
Location: Ridgewood - East Sussex
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Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by classiclife »

Hello,

Further to Graham's advice, the other alternative to checking the condition of the h/gasket is to fill the rad up to max height on the filler neck. From overnight cold, start the engine - if the coolant bubbles or surges up & down then yes the h/gasket has blown.

Removal of the thermostat by PO's usually points to overheating and as Graham says the rad is the prime suspect.

As for companies supplying h/gaskets try this outfit: http://www.heritagegasketsltd.co.uk/home/4585894498

Although not listing a Conquest, they do not list all their stock on the website.

There are some other companies and I will dig these out for you, if interested ??

Regards.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

Eric990j
Posts: 44
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2016 8:19 am
Location: Kent

Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by Eric990j »

Hi

I had exactly the same issue with my car, the thermostat was missing too.... lovely. Recored rad sorted out the cooling along with cleaning out the waterways. You need to take the head off in my opinion to be able to poke all the crud out. I fitted a new head gasket as it all seemed good with the faces but disappointed that water is mixing with oil only after running it for 100 or so miles, so I need to take the head off again and probably send it off for skimming :(

grahamemmett
Chief Geek
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Location: Northwich, Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by grahamemmett »

You need to know if you have a Century 1 or 2, this supplier will tell you if you quote your chassis number
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2454888458
Graham Emmett ¦ DLOC Chairman ¦ chair@dloc.co.uk ¦ 07967 109160
Northwich, Cheshire
DB18 1949 LCV522 (Yes that one with the P100s)

classiclife
Classic Wise Man
Classic Wise Man
Posts: 1601
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:55 am
Location: Ridgewood - East Sussex
Contact:

Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by classiclife »

Another couple lines of enquiry:

Derek Sleigh - 01939.232.134 or derek AT ds-ds DOT co DOT uk ....................all calls required before 10am and email obvious but spambot resistant.

Roland Fisher who is the DLOC Conquest / Century Registrar

Marcel Renshaw, the DLOC obsolete parts co-ordinator................can be contacted direct via the Forum PM

Hopefully one of the above may be able to assist or certainly point you in the right direction.

Regards.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

Skinnerpot
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:23 pm
Location: Gloucester

Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by Skinnerpot »

Hi all,

Thank you for your replies and advice. I'm sure its the head gasket as the water is getting into the oil, its using water and has started to run hot on longer run (worse when cruising). It has also started to blow (albeit old and perished) coolant hoses.

Is there a way to identify if its a mk1 or mk2 century engine from outside details? What were the changes to the engine?

Kind Regards
An age when roads were empty, machines were simple and every journey was an adventure!

Daimler Conquest DHC (DJ252), Morris Minor, Ford Model T, Vandem Plas 1500, Reliant Drag Race Car, Nelson Steam Car, 4.5" Foden Steam Wagon

bakergh
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Feb 24, 2016 1:57 pm
Location: New Forest, Hampshire

Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by bakergh »

The external difference between the mk1 and mk2 are the carburetters mk1 SU H6, mk2 SU HD6
The mk1 has the jet adjustment and choke under the carburetters with the choke cable directly attached to the rear most carburetter.
The mk2 has the later HD6 diaphragm carburetters with the choke cable operating a rotating bar on the bulkhead which then operates a ball linkage to both carburetters
Also the inlet manifold has its ports modified in shape which is why you need to order the correct head gasket set as in the links below

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Daimler-Conq ... 100623.m-1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Daimler-Conq ... 100623.m-1

Graham

Pendle
Posts: 138
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2016 8:33 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Daimler Conquest Head Gasket Question

Post by Pendle »

The original post says that the car is a drophead. If the car is a DJ252, then the original engine would be a mark 1. If the car is a DJ 254 NDHC, then it could have either a mark 1 or mark 2 engine. As Graham states - look at the carburetor linkage.
Chris Young
1954 DJ 250
1954 DJ 252
1957 DJ 254
1952 DB18 Special Sports

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