head gasket

[Carlos]

Hi lancisti,

Can anybody tell me the reason why the head gasket holes does not match the engine block and head holes?
This cause the water to damage the cast iron!....

Thanking you,


Carlos

[Randy Adams]

This always mystified me too. I think I even punched out a hole on one occasion to give water flow between passages in the head and the block. If I remember right, this is toward the rear of the engine. Is there a big difference between the S1 and S2 castings that explains this? Huib?

[Carlos]

I even tried several gasket manufacturers (series 2), but the result is the same: the water flow holes in the gasket do not match the holes in the block!!!!
Should I remake the gasket holes, or should I ignore this problem?

Carlos

[Huib]

Ignore the problem or rather the position of the holes. I don't think it is a problem but done on purpose to regulate flow.
Also the hole for the oil channel has a long shape. This is because the oil channels in block and head don't line up.

[william]

I have a copper original gasket for a fulvia 1C and that gasket has no misallignment. I've been to a company near milan which makes gaskets and they claim to have a Lancia written modification from the early 60's to 'misalign' the new gaskets in order to improve even cooling. So Huib was right. It is cheaper to modify a gasket than cilider or head castings. Not very lancia though!

[James S]

Somewhere we have a copy of this technical letter from Lancia, eventually I will try to dig it out and scan it for anyone who is interested.

[Carlos]

Dear James,

I would be glad if I could have a copy of that technical letter.
Regards,

Carlos

[Paul de Raymond Leclercq]

Perhaps it could be posted here? What do you think Huib - I for one would love to see it.

Paul

[Huib]

Sure. I will be seeing James day after tomorrow and drag the thing from him. What tactics would you allow me to use on James? And which do you specially recommend?

[Paul de Raymond Leclercq]

Er,

"Tactics"?

I don't understand - or perhaps the question wasn't for me?

Rgds,

Paul