Lancia Beta Forum
Technical stuff => Engine => Topic started by: Ferrit on January 26, 2026, 03:33:55 PM
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How do you know when a cylinder head has been skimmed too many times? I have a feeling mine has been
Engineers called, cant remember the term but he said its been skimmed to a point below the valves. I used Alan's loaned tools without really knowing what I am doing but had my suspicions... I seem to remember that there was a lot of fresh air showing on the combustion camber to face gap and not the 0.25mm
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ahh Alan says the tool for the combustion chamber is for earlier engines
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Hi Mark
MLS gaskets can be ordered in different thicknesses, so you can offset the height issue, but does not solve if the head becomes porous etc due to too much taken off.
Peter
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Jon @ Stanwood says go and find another head. Well at least I know now...
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Hi Mark
Is that because it has been skimmed too often or for another reason?
I have spare ones if you need it.....
Peter
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skimmed to the point the valve seats are through on the inlet side. He said it can be done but you might create more issues skimming again. Easier to find a new (er) head.
Alan is having a look for me, Peter do you have many heads spare?
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Alan is having a look for me, Peter do you have many heads spare?
Hi
Yes, have a couple spare which you are welcome to pick from.
Peter
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I respect Stanwood Engineering on this. If you go looking outside of this group you want a Strada 105/130 TC of Lancia VX Head if you can find one. This gets you larger inlet valves and bigger ports. VX Units had Sodium filled exhaust valves which are now more of a risk of breakage than a blessing. Good new stainless Exhaust valves are not hard to find, but they need new compatible guides. A great core head now gives you options for the future. However there will be good core heads out there very cheaply. Good Luck.
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I have a head (thank you Alan (y) ). Its a VX one. So is AE Car the best place for valves and guides etc?
I will get it checked out before buying items of course.
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Hi Mark
I bought my guides from AE and very happy with them.
Peter
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Thanks Peter. AE Car sell guides and valves, Eurosport UK sell valves and springs.
I am thinking I will need the lot to build up a bare head, valves, guides, springs and collets etc. Re: head gasket, which make should I be buying, a MLS or is this just very a higher state of tune engines?
I was going to buy head bolts, gasket set and maybe guides and valves from AE Car. Leaving:
Head gasket from where - they all seem the same to me?
Valve springs and top and bottom washers
collets
I might give AE Cars a call tomorrow.
I guess I can ask the companies mentioned above?
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There is a late generation FL Astradur Head Gasket on eBay. It is expensive as expected. These are bond on resin gaskets. Note the heavy re-enforcement around the fire rings missing on nasty cheap items. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267543117735?var=0&shprz=EBAY_GB_131090&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&toolid=20006&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338986375&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9046061&adtype=pla&customid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzL1kxpnJynvP7cyKO8VL_DehGkbKUywb1MX6e3KY-VTV1K-J5G81rkaAmX_EALw_wcB|null|null&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20235105561&gbraid=0AAAAADcddnakATq8pHqLdkHJICX-qREj6&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzL1kxpnJynvP7cyKO8VL_DehGkbKUywb1MX6e3KY-VTV1K-J5G81rkaAmX_EALw_wcB#:~:text=Head%20Gasket%20for%20Lancia%20Beta%20Coupe%20Spider%20828BC%207030162%20Original
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There is a late generation FL Astradur Head Gasket on eBay. It is expensive as expected. These are bond on resin gaskets. Note the heavy re-enforcement around the fire rings missing on nasty cheap items. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267543117735?var=0&shprz=EBAY_GB_131090&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&toolid=20006&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338986375&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9046061&adtype=pla&customid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzL1kxpnJynvP7cyKO8VL_DehGkbKUywb1MX6e3KY-VTV1K-J5G81rkaAmX_EALw_wcB|null|null&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20235105561&gbraid=0AAAAADcddnakATq8pHqLdkHJICX-qREj6&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-YvMBhDtARIsAHZuUzL1kxpnJynvP7cyKO8VL_DehGkbKUywb1MX6e3KY-VTV1K-J5G81rkaAmX_EALw_wcB#:~:text=Head%20Gasket%20for%20Lancia%20Beta%20Coupe%20Spider%20828BC%207030162%20Original
Weren't these supposed to be in special sealed packaging prior to use and only opened at the last minute before use? I had some misc fiat bits and there was one gasket in a laminated plastic wrapper probably originally vacuum sealed but unfortunately opened so I binned it
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You mean like this one, but sold out :(
https://raggis.it/en/products/lancia-beta-coupe-hpe-e-trevi-vx-guarnizione-testata-motore-nuova-originale-7030162-5891299 (https://raggis.it/en/products/lancia-beta-coupe-hpe-e-trevi-vx-guarnizione-testata-motore-nuova-originale-7030162-5891299)
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I am thinking this is my best bet so far. I cant get my head around using a possibly 40 year old HG :o
https://www.aecar.co.uk/collections/spesso/products/head-gasket-spesso-racing-1-8mm-fiat-lancia-twin-cam-1982
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I am thinking this is my best bet so far. I cant get my head around using a possibly 40 year old HG :o
https://www.aecar.co.uk/collections/spesso/products/head-gasket-spesso-racing-1-8mm-fiat-lancia-twin-cam-1982
My NOS gasket didn't seal as per my posts. Got a new one from Germany (Historic Racing).
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You should definitely speak to Darren Cooksey at Monte Servicing and Repair about the price for a Cometic MLS Gasket. There is no resin to decay and you can re-use them. Interesting that Spesso will not support their gasket used on a VX. FL had so many head gasket fails with the VX they introduced these full resin bond gaskets. Neil's experience shows the scary reality of finding one fit to use.
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Indeed odd given they should be ideal. My concern with the resin bonded gaskets was how thick the damn things were. With limited crush on them it made a real difference to the CR. The spide (when I finish the thing....) will be getting MLS
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Hi Mark
Given the cost of that gasket, I would pay a bit more and go for a MLS, the pain in it failing again is a lot more than the extra you will pay would be my view.
Peter
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I have a sneaking suspicion that the most recent issue I encountered on my Beta engine (after a full top end rebuild) was head gasket related. I can't be certain until I get the car up on ramps and start it up, but it has all the hallmarks. I used what I thought was a good quality head gasket from a sealed package but having read stories on here, I should have bought new from someone like Gloria Croft or used an MLS. Live and learn...
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You should definitely speak to Darren Cooksey at Monte Servicing and Repair about the price for a Cometic MLS Gasket. There is no resin to decay and you can re-use them. Interesting that Spesso will not support their gasket used on a VX. FL had so many head gasket fails with the VX they introduced these full resin bond gaskets. Neil's experience shows the scary reality of finding one fit to use.
They do (or did) a different one for the VX
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You should definitely speak to Darren Cooksey at Monte Servicing and Repair about the price for a Cometic MLS Gasket. There is no resin to decay and you can re-use them. Interesting that Spesso will not support their gasket used on a VX. FL had so many head gasket fails with the VX they introduced these full resin bond gaskets. Neil's experience shows the scary reality of finding one fit to use.
Called him. Darren thinks just get a good quality one and he wouldnt suggest a MLS one for my std engine. News from the engineers, baring one thread the head is in almost perfect shape
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So guide and valves now with the engineering co, ordered new springs from Eurosport. Valve stem seals...
Darren Cooksie mentioned that Delta HF Turbo stem seals are better. I called Tanc Barret and left a list with Neil on Monday but so far no news. I thought I would investigate this myself and maybe just order these items and get to the engineers
Valve stem oil seal - Part No: 7553637; seems to be the same for all the performance 8v Delta's and are 8mm the same as my valves ordered. Any thoughts or comments while I am waiting for more news?
https://www.deltaintegrale.com/shop/delta-integrale-8v-engine-components/7553637
Mark
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Assuming they are FPM type, then those seals were also stock for the Uno Turbo back in the day, but equally compatible with any SOHC and DOHC 8mm valve, more here:
https://www.eurosport-uk.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=51_64&products_id=763
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I have just read the same somewhere! Brilliant I will order those then.
Thank you.
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So head should be done in the next 10 days with new valves and guides. Now camshafts... Trying to figure out what is difference between all the engines std cams? So Avanti are selling these and they say they are the same - https://ebay.us/m/vnJrxx
In my Tech Manual it says this, any thoughts will be appreciated.
Mark
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Guy Crofts books go into detail on this and Brian Long's Beta Book has a section at the back that is helpful. Your technical book is a great item, but published late on and partial. Later 2000 and 2000 IE cams are the sound choice but 2000 IE have a peg drive needing a different cam box. Avoid VX cam shafts because they are lower lift and duration. US cams might also have been detuned, but I would have to check through the books. It is hard to tell the condition of those ebay Cams. In all cases measure each cam lobe to base with a vernier looking out for worn lobes. This shows as a misfire in a running engine. Clean the lobes top to bottom with scotch bright and brake cleaner. Pitting will trash your bucket shims so avoid cams with this kind of rust damage.
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Evening. Head is ready for collection, so aim to get it on Monday. Something struck me tonight, how do you tell which are exhaust v inlet cams? Its been such a long time since I did this ;D
I have a pile of used cams now. We think I have 1x 1600, 2x 2000 and 2x 130tc. I am getting them checked over on Monday when I collect the head. I am not sure whether I can or should run the 130's. I have searched and searched for information. Any thoughts would be appresiated.
Mark
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Hi Mark
When I checked the cams I sent you, the pin which locates the cam wheel is oriented slightly different on exhaust v inlet, that was the only way I could tell. So on the ones I sent 2 will be exhaust, one will be inlet.
Peter
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That helps, thanks Peter. I will get them out again today
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Use the 130TC cams if they are in good condition, but factor in a rolling road carb calibration. NB you would probably want to do this anyway with your new head as it has bigger valves and ports. Read GCs workshop manual on timing cams to the cam boxes and follow it with the right marks on the cams and interior cam boxes to ensure your cam wheel markers work at TDC. If not get vernier wheels
Accurate TDC and Accurate cam timing gives real power and stops you banging valves into each other or the pistons. You will not need a dry build with 130TC cams if you put them in the correct place. You would with long duration cams like GCs 3A cams. With standard pistons you would only ever go with a 3A on the inlet side to prevent he power band and rev range being to high. 130TC cams have higher lift without long duration making them great for supercharged cars like the VX and inlet side on 8V Integrale.
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Thats really good news Eric, thank you.
I was always planning to take to L&M as soon as it was roadworthy. I think it was the only place I could find near that that could help
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To close off, it runs and it drives - once the cam pulleys were on the right way around it was all good from there I have done about 25 miles in the last week and it starts on the button and ticks over. I think ii needs tuning now
https://youtube.com/shorts/qEcRmVhwbDI?si=CLmwnESmVt9NwZaO
Thanks for all your support
M