I know I'm running risk of looking like a complete tool, but, I suspected my head gasket had gone and after a bit of swearing and graft I got the head off and my suspicions were correct. The gasket had blown between bores 3 and 4. There's no damage on the head yet it'll be sent off for a skim.
But my main concern is there looks to be a nice bit of pitting from where the combustion gasses have passed between the two cylinders where the gasket failed.
Would it be safe to go over it with some emory paper to remove the pitting? Or should I just stop being a quim and bang it back together?

I'd attach a photo but the lead has gone missing so I can't upload a photo.

Still any help would be fantastic.

Cheers Si.

It's probably not that bad. I could just be thinking it's worse than it is. I'll get a camera from work and put a snap shot up!

Blocked and decked sounds far too keen if push comes to shove and I pray it doesn't I'll put a fresh lump in

Cheers for the reply though!

I wouldn't even bother putting it back together without decking the block if there is any pitting visible / or if you can feel it if you run a finger-nail over it.

It will just go again.

Particularly as it's between two cylinders.

If it was between a the water jacket and one cylinder it may be OK, but going beween two cylinders is the worst possible place to have any defect on the block or the head - it's the hottest part and subject to extreme pressure from both sides.

You also need to bear in mind MLS gaskets aren't very forgiving and won't 'fill' the pitting well.


Rich.

________________________________________

Contact Details:

rich@lynxpowerengineering.co.uk
07732 822546