Lancia Beta Forum
Technical stuff => Engine => Topic started by: Bumbizzled on October 15, 2026, 12:15:30 AM
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Hi all. After having to focus on my other car for a road trip and waiting for my head to get done, it's finally time for me to get it back together. Just hoping I can get a couple questions answered.
My head has had a bit of a life and has already been skimmed previously. The guy that did it said he's taken off as much as he can so it's basically at the limit. Do I need to make sure I get a thicker head gasket to counter act this or does it not really matter? I have found a 1.8mm gasket that seems OK but don't know if I need to go thicker or not.
I've also seen that depending on the head gasket material, you need to re-torque the bolts after a certain amount of miles. Is this actually necessary?
Another question is regarding the cylinder bolt heads. I am planning on buying some new ones but the only ones I can find are ones that are Female Splined Ribe-CV ones. The ones I took out are normal bolt heads. I take it there's no downside to the newer style bolts?
I'd appreciate any tips or things to look out for during re-assembly as well :)
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Have you taken it to an engineers and get it assessed and tested for cracks? My old head I was told was skimmed to the max. Valve seats were starting to show through into the combustion chamber. My engineer said there is a way around it but its a lot easier to just find a better head.
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here you go. At the top if you look close you can see the seats are now showing in the combustion area, can you see the same?
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The stretch bolts sold by Betaboyz Parts etc. with the splined heads have been fine on my rebuild and don't need re-torquing.
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Same here. I also found a 1.9mm gasket from AE Car
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Have you taken it to an engineers and get it assessed and tested for cracks? My old head I was told was skimmed to the max. Valve seats were starting to show through into the combustion chamber. My engineer said there is a way around it but its a lot easier to just find a better head.
Currently at work but I think they might just be showing. Will double check when I'm home. The guy I took it to had a look over the whole head and didn't say there were any cracks. Guess I'll just have to see how it goes. Did you end up getting a new head?
The stretch bolts sold by Betaboyz Parts etc. with the splined heads have been fine on my rebuild and don't need re-torquing.
Thanks. Good to know. Will hopefully have it running soon if I can remember how it goes back together
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I did get a new (old), one it needed skimming again and two the cams had started to mashing themselves against the sides where the shim/buckets thingies run in. The shims were hand made undersized to allow for the right clearances. It was all a bit cobbled together
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If you do find you need a head I have a few spare ones
Peter