MG
The Classic Marque

Willie, I never even noticed any lack of localised sealing provision around coolant passages, or even oilways for that matter. Never gave it a thought.
It's a bit of a minefield to my way of thinking. Dry or oily? No wonder Les has some confusion - i don't blame him, so do I.
I don't remember Cosmetics having any comprehensive instructions included, which is a bit unhelpful. Fortunately, ...

Orpington and Bromley. Both just up the road from Tunbridge Wells really. Know both well from my yuuf living in South London(Streatham) and my boozing days all over the area. Got a school mate lives in Bromley too, assuming he's still around post Covid. Must email him.

Guy-
You ask an interesting question Guy, but basically I'd say i stay on this forum, especially this Midget/Sprite section because I like the people here. Everyone seems genuine and are happy to work on their own cars knowing if we run into drama we can post on here and get genuine help from someone here who has had the same or similar issue, without copping all the crap that seems to follow ...

And a couple more pics...

Backround: we bought TD 28584 in Melbourne in 1984 (as newlyweds). It had been dry stored since 1969, so only 16 years on the road when we bought it. We kept it stored until 1991, when the late Ray Skewes, MG specialist in Melbourne carried out a full mechanical, electrical etc restoration - every nut and bolt. At the same time, it was stripped to primer and painted a colour close to Old English ...

If the clutch starts slipping under acceleration in 4th or OD then it's definitely time for replacement :o)

Yes, big job on a V8 (factory at least) even if you have the space and kit to get both out together which I don't. I took the engine out first which is almost as bad as unlike the 4-cylinder you can't get at the top bell-housing bolts with the engine in its normal position. I remo...

I have nothing like the rigour that you, Anamn, describe. I will occasionally copy batches of photos from one device to another. Highlighting in one computer directory view and drag and drop to another, usually connected by ethernet or USB cable. This has the effect of course of multiplying the number of files stored on various old computers and I quickly lose track of what is stored where and whi...

As per Grey- I can remember my old man greasing up gaskets to seal them, I still do it now on things like rocker cover and sideplate gaskets--glue the gasket to the cover with contact cement then grease the face, so then the cover can be removed complete with the gasket and reused,- but for actual headgaskets he always painted them with silverfrost which was a metal based silver paint--it really s...

Like Alan I've fitted a number of Cometics, none of which have subsequently given trouble.
(Mini, a couple of Pinto engines and a small block Buick aka Rover V8)
However...
All those engines had freshly machined head and block surfaces. I fitted the gaskets dry and degreased the metal surfaces. Cometics are reputed to be a bit demanding in that area but I've never used one on "dirty" ...

Les
I have fitted a couple of cometic HG’s on folks Sprites. I fitted them dry.
Years onward they have not given trouble.