I have to replace my water pump again (new leak) on my Elan Twin Cam Standart
so dismantling the cylinder head and timing cover
I would like to know the choice (model) of cylinder head gasket for my standard engine and how best to replace the leaking water pump.
geni
Geni,
If you have had a problem with a leaking / failing water pump in the past, I would :
Take it to someone who knows what they are doing. Make sure they have a factory workshop manual. Make sure that both the head and block faces are flat. Make sure they use an original style copper head gasket, they are bullet proof provided they are fitted correctly. Make sure that the front cover and backplate are flat. Use the correct sealants. When you get the car / engine back, do not run the fan belt to tight, then enjoy the next 50k miles of trouble free motoring 
Leslie
Make sure that ALL the parts that are supposed to be in the new water pump kit are actually there.
Some years ago, a friend rebuilt a twincam, and was mightily miffed when it pissed out water from the drain hole from the off. I told him just to run it for a few hundred miles to see if it stopped, as sometimes the sealing washer takes a while to bed in. To no avail, it continued to leak.
The engine was removed from the car again and dismantled by moi, only to find that there was no sealing washer in the assembly. Hence my pointer to check that all parts of the water pump kit are present and correct, and are actually used when building the engine.
Leslie
Further. When the front cover is removed and the water pump disassembled, a careful inspection of the area around where the capsule, not bearing, is fitted. This area is prone to corrosion and sometimes cannot be saved. In that case a new front cover will be required. Picture to follow.
Leslie
