MG Car Repair: Cylinder head gasket fitting 1977 MGB, cylinder head gasket, ft lb

Question
Hi, could you answer a simple question please? I'm changing the cylinder head gasket on my 1977 MGB and want to know if, when I have brought the engine to temperature, switched it off and loosened the head gasket do I then need to let the engine cool before I can tigthen the new gasket or can I do this whilst the engine is still hot?
Thanks veery much,
Gareth

Answer
Hi Gareth.
When you switch the engine off, do not undo all the nuts and loosen the head gasket.  Just slacken and then re-tighten each nut to the recommended torque in the sequence shown in the workshop manual.  Each nut is tightened as follows:  Slacken it off a little, then torque it up to 45 ft-lb.  Only then do you go on to the next one.  When you have done all the nuts, check that you have not altered the tappett settings.  I prefer to do all this while the engine is still warm.