cylinder head skim

[thepuddlejumper]

I was advised that a2mm skim for my panda head would be the optimum for a fast road engine build, any comments.  I took my panda 30 head down to my local machine shop and asked the guy for a price to skim 2mm off the head.  I was quoted £80 +. Thought this was a bit high what do you think.
Ralph

[Rusty's Uncle]

Hi Ralph , I have got a skimmed and original Panda 30 heads here so just done a bit of measuring. The skimmed head looks to have had 1.5mms removed which leaves about a 1mm deep gas escape groove. That cost for skimming seems a bit high to me. I would have thought about half that. I have just had some rebores done on 500 & 126 cylinders then I have had some crankshafts reground. I used two different engine machine shops as prices differed a lot at each shop for reboring and regrinding so I would shop around 

[thepuddlejumper]

Rusty phoned about price ranges between £50 -£90+vat ouch! S I will be off to the Borders to a race engine service £50. Just need to decide 1.5 or 2mm.  middle Barton Garage suggested the 2mm. Anyone with more advice?

Ralph

[poxxxy]

I paid£60 here inc valve removal etc

[DEYAN IYI]

According to the measurements I made 1,4mm skimming of Panda head is about 9,5:1 CR (with standard gasket) and it's the minimum for 288* (Swiatek 385) camshaft.

Swiatek says "-1,8/2,5mm head skimming" but no info for the old or for the new(same as Panda) type of head, so I had to choice the old one for a starting point, cos you can always skim a bit more any time. (I want it 700cc one day with the same head, so that's the reason for being careful).

Regards!

PS:

Fiat Abarth 595
9.5 : 1
35/75 - 290* camshaft

Fiat Abarth 595 SS
10 : 1
40/80 - 300* camshaft