Folks,
In removing the head from my 64 TR-4 this weekend I discovered both the
normal copper head gasket and what appears to be a "shim" or spacer of some
sort made of steel (or perhaps aluminum). It's about a sixteenth of an inch
think and is shaped exactly as the head gasket. Am I correct in deducing
that this is the shim that was applied on some 4's to reduce compression? I
can't recall the exact story, but I seem to rember something to do with a
factory option as a racing mod...
Anyway, does anyone know what I can expect if I don't replace the shim when
I put the head back on? It doesn't appear that valve/piston clearences will
be a problem. Should I expect problems with detonation? Is this some kind
of rare option that I should retain for originality?
Also, a near encounter with a somewhat larger vehicle than my four has left
me convinced that I need louder horns. I'd like to use some electric
Hellas, but no one seems to know if I can put them on my positive ground
car. Anybody know if I can do that?
Thanks in advance,
Greg Schuett
64 TR-4 Surrey
Citrus Heights, CA
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