Which Headgasket? HELP!

[MattCyclone]

As some may know, I have rebuilt the head on my twinspark GTV, due to having a burnt out valve and infact almost circular exhaust cam lobes in cylinder 4!

With lots help from the forum and the members I now have a nicely (wet in the rain!) polished black GTV, though there is still a nagging thought in the back of my mind... I might have the WRONG head gasket in there!

The story is that the car had a replacement Engine by Autolusso almost 4 years before and I don't think it was particularly well cared for since, esp regarding oil changes! Anyway - this means I have a TS Engine (with a plastic top) which the invoice reads 'reconditioned engine from a 147'.

I, in my haste and excitement, threw away the old head gasket and couldn't remember what it was when I ordered my new set - I spoke to Ned who said I needed to know - so I took a guess at a composite one (esp as thicker one is better as no valves touching pistons will happen) but there are a few things nagging me...

1. I has a small white smoke incident last weekend (see this thread - http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...n-exhaust.html (Thick white smoke in exhaust...)) which has seemed to have disappeared, though I am keeping a beady eye on the coolant and oil (looking for mayo anywhere!).

2. I think, though I am not sure, that the previous HG was metal...

Sorry for the length of post - but what I need to do (without taking the head of AGAIN preferably) is figure out whether I have a CF2 or CF3 engine - where can I see the relevant codes as all the sensors and exhausts match a 1999 P2 GTV I imagine now... Also, do I need to change it, if I have the thicker one I assume I would just be down a little on compression and hence power...

The final issue is I want to use the car for my wedding, which is on the 30th of June!!

All help gratefully received.

[MattCyclone]

Bump... quite urgent... Bit of white smoke again tonight!

[Turtle4288]

How far have you driven?

Go for a drive, give it a thrashing and see if the water goes down...

If not, then it must be oil.

Oil burning makes quite a distinctive oily smell...

[jim hazell]

A composite gasket is thicker and as you rightly suggest there is less of a chance of valve to piston contact.Ive had several mix and match twinspark block and head combinations over the years and if a multi layer metal head gasket is used the pistons may clip the heads but this would not cause head gasket failure just poor running or a clatter.The composite gasket compresses better so its possibly better to use and is unlikely to fail any quicker than a multi layer steel gasket.This is my experience and also the wisdom of my local engineering co .

[David C]

If it is a 147 engine (32310) it takes the thin metal head gasket.

[MattCyclone]

Originally Posted by David C

If it is a 147 engine (32310) it takes the thin metal head gasket.

Do you know where I can find the numbers on the actual engine?

As it seems ok at the moment then I will just keep an eye on the oil and water - more importantly I will not try ripping the head off again before the wedding!

Many thanks...