7 replies to this topic

[cagy]

Right, I'm going to take the plunge and do my head gasket tomorrow, providing my gasket arrives, I just have a few questions...

What's the best way of checking that the head doesn't need skimming before wasting a gasket and a load of time?

Secondly, if it does need doing I've got another 1275 engine, a lot older but was wondering if I could borrow the head off of it? If so what do I need to take from the donor engine?

[H.M.M.]

Best thing to do is if in doubt, get it done. For the sake of £30 it worth doing. If your gonna do that most engineering places need the bare head, which means change the oil seals (top hat style), regrind the valves too.

[huw_jenks]

You can check it with anything with a straight edge really, a metal ruler is best. I don't think it costs much to get a head skimmed at a shop, but when I took mine to get done years ago it turned out they would have to remove the valves and then they may as well grind the valve seats... Anyway, I ended up parting with £180. So if you are going to take it to get it skimmed make sure you take it all apart first. Oh, and make sure they only take off the bare minimum so as not to screw up the compression ration too much. If you do want to take the head apart I'm sure lots more advice will be forthcoming.

[Sam Walters]

You can check it with anything with a straight edge really, a metal ruler is best. I don't think it costs much to get a head skimmed at a shop, but when I took mine to get done years ago it turned out they would have to remove the valves and then they may as well grind the valve seats... Anyway, I ended up parting with £180. So if you are going to take it to get it skimmed make sure you take it all apart first. Oh, and make sure they only take off the bare minimum so as not to screw up the compression ration too much. If you do want to take the head apart I'm sure lots more advice will be forthcoming.

Sore you coming mate, sorry to say it. You could borrow the head. The only thing i can think that would be diffrent is the take off for the heater. front of the engine bay by rocker cover and the bypass under the head. Its not too hard to block this off though. Bolt in bit of hose and clamp it up.

Ive not managed to work a 5 port a-series head. Ive abused my engines, and i do mean abuse. One of my engines got taken to 7500+ rpm every single day i drove it.

There is nothing you can really do to find it if needs a skim unless you skim it......Unless you have a calibrated straight edge (yes there is such a thing) and some feeler guages perhaps?

[ANON]

You can check it with anything with a straight edge really, a metal ruler is best.

you are kidding aren't you??

[bmcecosse]

Steel rule is fine - don't be put off by ^^^^ Even the back edge of a new hacksaw blade is fine. £180 for a head skim - go on - pull the other one..... But why are you 'doing the gasket' anyway? What's the problem?

[cagy]

I'm in France so getting it machined will cost a bomb here like most things do hence why I'd change and get it done in UK.

I'm doing it because I'm losing water for no reason and for the past couple of days got an exhaust blowing sort of noise coming from the air filter when the engine is revved.

[bmcecosse]

The noise is more likely to be a valve not seating - have you checked the gaps ?? best bet would be to clean up the spare head - grind in the valves -and then fit that head. Then you can take time to investigate the head that comes off......