i am in the processe of changing my head gaskets on a my 95 uk and i was wondering if i need my head skimmed. any advise will be good because this is my first time and i diont want to do it all over again. cheers jason.

 

Dont have them skimmed,unless the engine has been cooked and they are
warped.It will alter the Combustion chamber volume/Compression Ratio.
A "light" sanding on a surface plate is all they normally need.

 

cheers mate. that is what i thought.

 

you can skim them but it isn't compulsory if they are not warped, best get them checked to see how flat/warped they are first before you make a decision?
raising the compression ratio is not that a bad thing tbh, but you will need to use high grade fuel at all times though after

 

A minimal skim of a couple of thou makes no appreciable difference to CR. While they are off best get them checked but as a said above a lap in on a surface plate is good practice.

 

Get them checked by a competant automotive machine shop to ensure they are flat. Chances are they are warped.
Get them skimmed by 10 thou. As a matter of course, never replace head gaskets without checking the heads are level.