pitted head?

I hope someone can help me a little…

I have just got an '83 1.1 which had a blown head gasket. I have removed the head and am in the process of cleaning it all up before sending it away to be skimmed. During this I have noticed that there is some quite bad pitting at the top of where one of the cylinders would be (between the edge of the cylinder and the indentation that has the valves in). Is this a big problem, or something that I shouldn't worry about? I just want to check before sending the head off to be skimmed…

thanks,
MM

..are you able to post a pic of it? :dontknow:

I'm afraid I can't get hold of a digital camera at the moment. I asked a friendly mechanic to have a look and he said that it would be ok for a bit, just make sure I put some extra sealing compound round when I put it back together.

Thanks anyhow and if I get a chance I'll get a pic of it for a second opinion (I need some pics of the car to post here anyway!).

Its worth taking it to an engine specialist to get there opinion. You dont want to rebuild it all up and then find the gasket goes again. Its not a good idea to use sealing compound on the head gasket.

Heads can be welded to sort that sort of thing out. I've had this done to a polo head before. After its welded it will probably need skimming if its the area I think you mean.

Cheers,

Ross

Thanks Ross,
I think there is an engine specialist up the road so I,ll go and investigate tomorrow and see what they say.

Why mess around?  You can find a small block head or even full engine in pretty much any scrap yard in the country and it'll cost you buttons.  No point in reconditioning something that's knackered now is there?

If its RIGHT it WILL NOT NEED extra jointing compound - in future I'd avoid that mechanic!!