I suck at pictures, but I made a couple more attempts:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...a/100_0520.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...a/100_0522.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...a/100_0521.jpg

Thanks again for the input. I've got a new gasket on the way, hopefully she'll be back on the road in a week or 2.

At the very least, lay your hands on a machinists' straightedge and check the block and head for flatness with feeler gauges.

Will do. I'm going to pull the block tomorrow so I can do a clutch and possibly some rods. I'll get someone to look it over before putting it back together.

I'm jealous^ :(

cause he is in peices or cause he might be putting rods in, neither is very fun imo lol.

The irony here is incredible - I've just had EXACTLY the same experience as listed here. A mystery overheat, followed by pulling the head, replacing the head gasket etc etc.

I have only just gotten the car back together today to find a small leak in the top hose (at the radiator inlet) which will require replacement. I'm cautiously optimistic at one step I know I failed to take - checking the block for flatness - I just didn't have the access to a straight edge - a slack excuse, but now I'm holding my breath and will watch for any hint of re-overheating - so far under idle only it seems ok. Actually - having never done a head gasket myself I'm stressing that I did it all ok.....

I do have one question though - do you need to retorque the head bolts once installed? I've run the car up to temp once, let it cool, and I'm wondering if I need to retension it.

Can anyone advise? I'm waiting on my fellow Aussies on the Cartalk forum but noone seems to be able to respond.

Thanks again - or in advance - or whatever :)

Which headgasket did you use? Some recommend it on the packaging that comes with the gasket. I've used OEM and ACL gaskets and neither of them mentioned it.

I used ACL Hylomar the first time I did a head gasket job and didn't have any leaks - I recently pulled the engine to swap the bottom end and it was still holding together OK. The most recent head gasket job I did was installed without Hylomar and it I'm almost certain it has breached between #1 and the coolant system somewhere. I don't know Hylomar would have saved me but I'll be using it again next time along with a set of ARP head studs!!

Damn cars; I love my pushbike a LOT more than my car at the moment! :fawk:

I used the Hylomar - got a tip from a forumite as I was in repco.

The head gasket I used was the standard 1.6 gasket from UK Parts - there was nothing on the packaging, but a subsequent email from them says it is advisable to recheck the tension - so out to the car I so :)

and a subsequent email from a local MX5er said if I've Hylomar'd it - don't touch it again - so just as well I didn't - tricks and tips for young players out there :)