P38A Head Gasket - is skimming a must?

Changing the head gaskets on my 4.6
I've only just bought it, previous owner states the heads were skimmed 3000 miles ago.
Should it be okay to fir new gaskets without having it skimmed? (as long as the head has no obvious defects)
Thanks

If they where done 3k ago have gaskets gone again,
you can check the heads with a steel rule/ straight edge and bits of paper if ok should be good to go.

d1s said:

Changing the head gaskets on my 4.6
I've only just bought it, previous owner states the heads were skimmed 3000 miles ago.
Should it be okay to fir new gaskets without having it skimmed? (as long as the head has no obvious defects)
Thanks

Click to expand...

you only skim if heads damaged or warped,heads are best not skimmed unless necessary

Just wondering why they have gone again my self ??? Be interested to see what you find when you pull the heads.

Heads were previously skimmed due to burst top hose which caused an overheat

probably incorrectly torqued and not checked after 1st 500 miles or so

tarphenry said:

probably incorrectly torqued and not checked after 1st 500 miles or so

Click to expand...

How do you check head bolts at 500 miles that have been angle tightened?

Got the left side cylinder head off - it's not in bad shape, I'll have a closer examination once I've cleaned the gunk off.
Only problem now is getting off the bastard right side cylinder head; the last exhaust manifold bolt is in a position that neither my wrench nor spanner can reach.

Is it still necessary to use a sealing compound along with the new gaskets?

It is necessary to follow RAVE to the letter.

I appreciate your advice, although it doesn't quite answer my question

RAVE says (in bold):
NOTE: Gasket must be fitted dry
That's for a Thor. Don't know what you have.

GEMS guide says the same.

gaskets are fitted dry now any sealant or lube do any piston crowns look washed ,is there staining over the fire ring, hopefully not a cracked block and is a head gasket

if you are doing the head gaskets, go for the composite gaskets. composite gaskets are must if the head has been skimmed

I think people forget the final torque down, a final 90 degree turn if memory serves me right. Ey up Adam all ready for the new arrival ???

I believe its 20nm -> 90 degrees -> 90 degrees again
Got most of material off with chemical gasket remover, so I won't be getting them skimmed
Thanks for your help

Hi Dave. I'm back from Saudi for good now.

yes the new arrival should be anytime between now and the next 10 days.. the wifelet now just wants to get on with it !

how have you been

That's great news mate, I'm sure she does the last few weeks can be hard on the wimmin lol harder on us men folk putting up with it all. I'm good thanks been a long busy summer I'm looking forward to my winter break starting at the end of the month.

d1s said:

I believe its 20nm -> 90 degrees -> 90 degrees again
Got most of material off with chemical gasket remover, so I won't be getting them skimmed
Thanks for your help

Click to expand...

The bolts must finger screw freely into the block with no binds. Lightly lubricate the bolt threads and under the heads. Then torque to 20 nm. Go over the bolts in correct sequence several times to ensure all are at 20 nm and at correct start point. Doing it once at 20 nm is not good enough. Then 90 in correct sequence followed by a further 90 in correct sequence.