Cylinder Head swap ?

[perfectpercy]

Hi Guys, brand new to this forum as i have just bought a brava 1.2 16v for my daughter. I new that the haed gasket had gone when i got it, so thats not a problem. I have talked to a few of my friends that are mechanics, but dont know a lot about fiats in particular. I have been told off them that if i get the head t skimmed on these cars, it never really works properly after that, which i find very strange. i have two options here, 1. I can get a second hand head from a friend who owns a breakers, or, 2. I can get it skimmed. All you people out there are obviously very knowlegeable with these cars. Any ideas on the best approach ?
Btw the head is on a r reg punto 16v, it looks the same head, is it ?

 

[GWBoes]

Just skim the head. In theory the engine could run a bit rougher but you'll never notice it.
And even if you use a second hand head you should get it skimmed. You never know where it's been.

 

[dave]

welcome,
your friends must be crap mechanics, probably not fitting new head bolts. it will be fine skimmed if the job is done right.

 

[perfectpercy]

Thanks guys, that is what i could not understand, that is the idea of getting the head skimmed , so that it is known it is flat. i have been round engines all my life, i could not understand why it would be a problem getting it skimmed. i was thinking on the lines it was i little idyosyncrisy with these heads, as i know that they will not take much punishment in the overheating department. So its now down the local engine man and get it skimmed. Are the head bolts stretch bolts, and have to be renewed ?

 

[dave]

Are the head bolts stretch bolts, and have to be renewed ?

yes

 

[craigb244]

Just skim the head. In theory the engine could run a bit rougher but you'll never notice it.
And even if you use a second hand head you should get it skimmed. You never know where it's been.

why? unless you have loads skimmed off the compression is hardly effected... you might gain 1hp maybe

but it wont run any rougher.

Timing wont be effected on the 16v engine because the cams are not keyed in position.



Reason engines usually fail after a head gasket job is usually people reusing the same bolts....not doing them up to the right torque.... using a cheap £7 head gasket, not cleaning the block surface well enough. or even over doing it causing scratches on the block

 

[perfectpercy]

Thanks for all your replies on this subject, your help is much appreciated. i will no doubt be asking further questions on this job as i get further into it. craigb244 you say that the timing is keyed, has this got something to do with one of the posts that i read, regarding expensive tools to do the job, of is it just a simple mark set up on the cam ?

 

[craigb244]

no the 16v is NOT keyed. you need the cam locking tools. ask about in here and someone will borrow you some or you can make your own easy enough

 

[perfectpercy]

no the 16v is NOT keyed. you need the cam locking tools. ask about in here and someone will borrow you some or you can make your own easy enough

Oh dear, i have already took the cambelt and the pulley off the camshaft. All is not lost. IS IT ???

 

[fingers99]

No. Just needs re-timing on assembly. Wise to replace the water pump while you're in there, and check the thermostat: head gaskets usually go for a reason.