How about making some new leads up with screw ends? I've got a couple of sets of them, including a NOS set, but I really doubt that they'll be fit for purpose after 60 years.
Will you put a new early one on, or fit a later one?
I’d like to put one on that won’t fail in 5,000 miles, Chris but other than that, I would be grateful if someone far more expert than me could advise, please.
Been there, done that Phil so I feel for you. Mine was exhaust valve related but it's really frustrating when you are so meticulous in a rebuild or overhaul only to experience problems after a few thousand miles. Probably a feature of old cars .
The only time I had clouds of white smoke from the exhaust was a head gasket failure and that was usually when the engine was warmed up. The only way to find out is to take the head off and try again. Be just as meticulous when you clean the mating surfaces before re-assembly, but we may also be at the mercy of sub-standard materials in head gaskets etc as we are in many other components so you might just have to accept the odd failure every now and then.
I’d like to put one on that won’t fail in 5,000 miles, Chris but other than that, I would be grateful if someone far more expert than me could advise, please.
Unless they were left loose in the first place.....
I've never retorqued 2000/2200 heads and have never had a problem. Unless they were left loose in the first place.....