Head

It is going to take a hefty cut to get to a smooth surface to make the head usable.

Shaving the head is a good thing compression wise. .050 to .060 is commonly done with stock pistons. With 9.0 to 1 stock pistons you will end up just under 10.5 which is perfect for 92 octane fuel.

 

Though once you cut it, you can never un-cut it. You can also increase CR if you're so inclined by cutting the head the minimum needed, and using pistons with a bigger dome, though that has its own issues in how combustion happens, and in valve/piston and head/piston clearance, which the engine builder will need to check. My preference is to cut as little as possible; they aren't making new ones.

There is more than one way to go, of course. What use are you intending?

Andrew

 

Great pics by the way.

Andrew and Richard both have good points.

How pitted are the valve seats? I see one pic where they look pretty good. That may help you make your decision.

How do you want to spend your dough? Refurb that head or find a better one.....

 

Yes the seats look good, and the guides are tight. I'm thinking that if I can straighten out the deck, and lap the valves I'll be all set.
The camera is just a Nikon Coolpix point and shoot. The macro is really pretty good for a snapshot camera.

 

That's .050 to .060 inches right Richard?

 

What would be the minimum height of the head?

 

some of the dents in the head can have the material messaged to the lower spots from areas that don't not act as a sealing surface. it is a work but you may be able to take minimal surfacing. do a valve job and good luck

 

Head thickness

There`s a lot of material available to be removed. .050 - .060 is not a lot. Commonly these old heads are cut .070+ to get compression.
In the early `70s I cut the head ,050, then decked the block, front cover and liners .040 to get the original 1600 in the Duetto up to 12 to one with lightened stock 9.0 pistons. Worked great, no big dome to deal with and better squish and flane travel.

Stock head is 4.410" so less .060 would be 4.350''.

 

Thanks Richard. I did the math, but needed to be reassured that my math skills were up to snuff. Looking for someone I trust in the Syracuse area to do the work on the deck. I think can handle the rest.

 

I have had many heads (16v Saab) tig welded, and lightly milled to fix corrosion areas. 100,000+ mile reliability always. Don't see why it can't be done to an Alfa head by a competent shop.

Jonathan

 

Back from the shop. Measures 4.39 inches.A little concerned with #3 cylinder

 

Place your new head gasket and see how it looks.
All, can a 1750 head gasket work with 1600 liners?
Jim

 

What does the little divot next to the spark plug do? Is that for flame propagation or something similar?

 

Tom,

The best place I know for that work is in Cortland NY. They do lots of Alfa work and they did my head work a few years ago. I think the name of the place is Precision Automotive. I'll get back to you with the contact info when I get back to Syracuse.

Dick