head skimming???
Turbo Mini Forums

looks like my head is warped! just about to run the engine for the first time tonight and when i'd filled all the fluids i gave it a once over and could see water seeping from between the head and block around #2 + 3 cyliders.

what i'm wondering is, is it gonna fuck up me compression ratio when i have it skimmed tomorrow, i know it wont help any but do i risk doing any damage? i'm only going to be running this engine at 4.5 psi as i haven't got a bleed valve yet.

cheers, Nick

Depends what the compression ratio is already! If its standard then its a bit of a risk running it even higher. Be worth having the chambers measured after the skim to see what you've got. Cant really do anything but that. Then it maybe a case of having to enlarge the chambers to reduce CR

Must be mega warped if its losing fluid, from just filling it.

You sure the head is torqued correctly? or nothing silly has happened? Is your torque wrench in good condition?

You need to check how badly it's warped before deciding what to do.

Getting another head might be the best bet if it needs a big skim, cos theres no way you'll be happy with 4psi for long!

Hope you get it sorted soon mate.

yeah the head was torqued up properly, checked it 3 times, 55 lbft as it says in the metro haynes, torque wrench is ok as i brought it brand new just to do up the head on this engine.

i'll ask the dude at the machine shop if he'll open the chambers up a bit for me then to compensate for the skim. will it be ok though at 4psi cos i really need the car on the road for the riv run next weekend.

i'm gonna live with the low boost for a while so i can save up and have me old engine turned into a bit of a beast hopefully!

What head gasket are you using?

I always use the standard metro turbo one, which works fine, but it always pisses water everywhere when you first fill the engine up with water. After one heat cycle (i.e. engine run upto temerature and cooled again) the leak stops.

I've never really worked out why?

Wil

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

I had a similar problem on 2 engines with the AF460 copper gasket. It was leaking between head and block to the front of the engine between cylinder 2+3 on freshly biult engines.
Changed to the black GUG812632HG head gasket - no troubles since then.
Harry

Bimmer Twinky headed and turboed A-Series:
http://www.minifreunde.at/harry/projects.htm

had 10 thou skimmed off the head and i've used one of the payen head gaskets this time and no leaks. just fired it up for the first time ever and blew the oil filter housing gasket but thats cos we re-used the old un.

but wahey! it fooking works!!!!