Head gasket or packing plate?

[Ihateyoubutler]

I'm trying to set up the squish on my ts1 barrel and don't know which way to go.Crank has 110 mm rod, so with a 3mm packer plate and no head gasket, the squish is about 0.9mm.
What would be the best way to get the squish about right?
Either fit a base gasket, which is about 0.5mm or use a thin head gasket (not keen on that one) or maybe use a 2mm packer plate and a 1.5mm head gasket? Or is there a better way to do it?
Thanks.

[davidblythe]

if you have the port timings you want, then have the head modified (have used a dremmel when desperate) if after more of a tourer then use a smaller packing plate

[sean brady scooters]

i would go for the extra base gasket.............
that would by your sums give you a 1.4mm squish........
any head gasket less than 2mm will sooner or later fail...............better to not have one...............

[corrado]

Sean, is the head gasket just basically a spacer to get the right squish figure or is it there to work as a weak link to fail when an underlying problem happens, like a fuse works in an electrical system?

[byron]

any head gasket less than 2mm will sooner or later fail.....................

how soon is later ?
to get the squish at 1.2mm, I've got 0.8mm on my mugello, haven't needed to give it any attention for over 2000 miles

[sean brady scooters]

a lot depends on the kit you have ............the quality of gaskets .....and the squish you are trying to attain.........not to mention the affects on port timings..........
the fact is ,......is some applications ...............your better off without a head gasket....................
std vespas dont use them dont forget...................
as far as lambos are concerned............much depends on the kit /set up in question.....................
most of the readily available head gaskets are not of the right quality.........
they are not heat treated..........and are made of a soft and shiny material that does not last long..........as explained in stickys book......page 90.........
and so its maybe better to not use these at all............
depending on such things as deck height etc............it may be that to achieve your desired settings.......you will have to use a head gasket...............if so ,make sure its a high quality one...............as MB sell..............
its only my oppinion......as i say ......but i,d rather not use one at all than use a thin one................
glad yours is ok byron.........and i,m sure it is cos you have a good quality one.......

[byron]

thanks for the reply sean
of course i have had them blow before, so none is good, but I did need to on that top end.
gaskets were from camlam.
the 240 i am gathering bits for can hopefully do without by having the head machined to suit.

[sean brady scooters]

on the bigger cc kits of any type...........its very important to make sure your cylinder head gasket surface is as wide as poss................
i,ve seen so many recently..........that are barely not much wider than 3mm ...........between the nearside two studs..............