New old Cylinder head

[Ferrit]

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

[Ferrit]

ahh Alan says the tool for the combustion chamber is for earlier engines

[peteracs]

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

[Ferrit]

Jon @ Stanwood says go and find another head.  Well at least I know now...

[peteracs]

Hi Mark

Is that because it has been skimmed too often or for another reason?

I have spare ones if you need it.....

Peter

[Ferrit]

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?

[peteracs]

 

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

[WestonE]

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.   

[Ferrit]

I have a head (thank you Alan  ).  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.

[peteracs]

Hi Mark

I bought my guides from AE and very happy with them.

Peter

[Ferrit]

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?

[WestonE]

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

[rossocorsa]

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

[Ics19]

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

[Ferrit]

I am thinking this is my best bet so far.  I cant get my head around using a possibly 40 year old HG 

https://www.aecar.co.uk/collections/spesso/products/head-gasket-spesso-racing-1-8mm-fiat-lancia-twin-cam-1982

[Neil-yaj396]

I am thinking this is my best bet so far.  I cant get my head around using a possibly 40 year old HG 

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).

[WestonE]

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. 

[HFStuart]

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

[peteracs]

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

[mangocrazy]

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...