should a let head always be skimmed when removed or using cometic

[mirpur]

head has been removed from the let having only covered 400 miles to inspect the engine, it was removed when engine was cold
the head will have some work don to it and bene told it doesnt have to be skimmed unless needed, is this the case or shold it b skimmed, it also will be having a cometic gasket dont know if that makes any difference

[Pitstoppete]

That's good advice for once!
if it is flat enough and within spec do not bother skimming it.
most places you could take it to will just skim away without a care in the world because most places are utter con artists and just want your money.
all you need do is check it yourself and re-assemble it if all is well.

[Tathan]

don't usually need skimmed unless been overheated. i would avoid it if possible as could pull cam journals slightly out of line when refitted.

[mirpur]

I didn't realise a skim could misalign cam journals, would undoing the head in the wrong sequence cause it to warp

[B8 GHY]

Yeap^

[mirpur]

yeap to wrong sequence or misalignment lol

[Astra Dan]

Hah hah hah.

Heads only need skimming if there's physical damage. The rest is product of fear, old wives tales and, in the case of the 1970s when most engines were still all iron, old fashioned fear.

[mirpur]

ok ill get it checked rather not skim it if i can get away with it

[debeerd]

If the head isn't warped or damaged then no need to skim.

[steveboyslim]

I would skim the block if it has never been skimmed since the rebuild.
There is often a slight twist in the block or low points between the bores all of which are difficult to check and will only show as the block is machined.

Steve

[mirpur]

Block was decked 500 miles ago but hasn't been used for two years head has only been off for three months