For instance if my head was skimmed to much and i needed a thick gasket to compensate for the lack of gap lets say, would i be able to use 2 multi layer steel ones or best just 1 thick one??? anyone tried this or think i am a *&^%$"£*& moron lol.

 

1 thick. Top and bottom layers of layered gaskets needs flat surfaces. Gasket to gasket is not likely to work.

 

If you think about it, the gasket is the weak spot on any engine - having two literally doubles your changes of blowing one/both as you have twice the amount of mating faces.

Tom

 

Skim said amount off of pistons? what we speaking? 10-20 thou?

 

So what size is the head?

 

head thickness is also critical for other reasons, i.e. amount of material holding the valve seats in place. if its over skimmed, then its not really ideal to use it without some extensive repair work.

otherwise this can happen

 

how was the nos units are supposed to work tell me anyone

 

There was an engineering firm that manufactured thick gaskets or plates, can't remember the name though. They did them for Fords including the YB.

 

mk motorsport can make a spacer plate

 

Thanks mate i will give them a bell.

Thanks to all the advice above and i was thinking i was being a *&%£""*( Moron lol.

I am not sure on the exact thickness yet as i am away in Afghan right now, i will post size when i return and see what everyone thinks, iirc 138mm is the standard size i am sure it's been skimmed once, i only really want to keep the head because it has has some light port and polish wok done, i will see thanks again chaps.

 

you can get the valve seat re-cut that would be better

 

I think some if not all were 139 new and you have a few skims on them so if it's std and only had one skim then it's fine - if the copper ring on the underside is flush with the alloy then it's had a few skims if not and still sunken then your still fine but still measure it (although some will exceed this with no issues) but you will be told the head is scrap.

 

I will try and get some pics when i manage to get round the shop, hopefully tomorrow sometime, i can make decisions on how to proceed after that, thank guys.

 

i wouldent use a spacer plate or too gaskets just have the amount taken off the pistons if there is a clearance issue much more reliable way of doing it!

 

Ok slight update, stripped and cleaned it today (well as much as i could) before any work has been done on the head and block i have noticed that the valves are already ever so slighty touching the pistons, that was with a 12 yr old gpa gasket, does anyone know the thickness of these compared to the 5 layer multi gasket, when they say 2.00mm is that the compressed thickness that they will be after fitment or starting thickness???