Head gasket repairs: skimming

[Shadowfax]

Head gasket gone on the 400, confirmed by pressure and coolant test ..... local mechanic can do it but it'll take weeks. He said the head would need checking for cracks and if ok (edit) MAY need skimming. This aint a basic RV8 head though is it? He has worked on RV8s for years so seems to know his stuff.

Any cautionary tales or advice re care when getting skimmed e.g. how much to take off max, would be much appreciated

PS Am still waiting for SHeath's book from the Club so it will be used when it arrives

Edit: Just spoke to mechanic: Reckons the lads he uses are "mustard" and they will clean head first and only skim if warped. Scary deadline of french trip in June .... exhaust needs repair/replacement too.

Edited by Shadowfax on Friday 13th April 10:14

[jagdpanther]

Shadowfax said:

Head gasket gone on the 400, confirmed by pressure and coolant test ..... local mechanic can do it but it'll take weeks. He said the head would need checking for cracks and if ok will need skimming. This aint a basic RV8 head though is it? He has worked on RV8s for years so seems to know his stuff.

Any cautionary tales or advice re care when getting skimmed e.g. how much to take off max, would be much appreciated

PS Am still waiting for SHeath's book from the Club so it will be used when it arrives

Edited by Shadowfax on Friday 13th April 09:56

Get on the blower to Andy Turner in Leeds, he's been working with, on, around and using RV8's of all shapes and sizes for ever

Ask him what he thinks

0113 2784003

07771 767854

[adam quantrill]

They _always_ say this. Truth is that the heads are usually fine.

I would just get a composite head gasket on there and bolt it back together.

[Shadowfax]

Thanks chaps. I think the guy is genuine so let's see

[JR]

adam quantrill said:

They _always_ say this. Truth is that the heads are usually fine.

I would just get a composite head gasket on there and bolt it back together.

Yep. Took my first Wedge to 120+mph and 120+ degrees :-( Got the heads checked three times before reassembly because I couldn't believe that they were still perfect - waste of money. Check it but don't be surprised if they're a lot tougher than you think. Also consider a face rather than a skim.

[wedg1e]

Modern heads are more prone to warping because the foundries have been developing thin-wall casting techniques in order to use as little material as possible.
The RV8 heads (and the inlet manifold too!) have huge amounts of metal in them, hence the radical porting that is possible.

[rev-erend]

Are you doing Le Mans Shadow .. I'm under a similar time pressure..

[shadowfax]

How is a "face" distinct from a "skim"?

No Rev, nothing related to Lemons...it is a week long there and back with a few days stay near Nice in a friend's converted power station, now a chateau. From 2Oth onwards.