The early Elise had a Rover K series engine in it. I think the guy who designed the head gasket must be the son of the guy who worked out the Supra cylinder head torque settings. It’s more famous for blowing head gaskets than the Supra. It’s also used in the MG F, Lotus Elan and MG ZR, which is a shame really because they are not bad cars. The design was total wrong, the head aligning dowels where made of nylon, the head bolts ( about 12in long) go straight through the ally block and screw into a ally oil rail underneath. The recommended upgrade is metal dowels, thicker designed oil rail and a gasket as used on the Land Rover. Unfortunately when they go, they normally leak between the combustion chamber, oil and coolant resulting in big end failure as well. I’ve striped one down and done the mod, only lasted a 2 K miles then blew again. Goggle Rover K series head gaskets and you’ll see what I mean.
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