1972 Series III 2.25 Petrol Cylinder Head Compression Quandry!

Hi I wonder if anyone can help.

I've got an 8 stamped on the raised centre bolt platform of my cylinder head, so I must have a factory 8:1 cylinder head on my Series III 1972.

However she has always smoked a lot (but it does clear after running for a bit) and I saw the opportunity to buy a refurb head which is already Unleaded petrol ready with hardened valve seats, new valves and valve guides & seals fitted as well as it having been skimmed.

Lovely I thought! Then I realised that the refurb head has a 7 stamped on there!! Can I safely fit this head, or do I have problems if it is 7:1 compression with my pushrod lengths damaging the engine?

Apparently the new head already has been skimmed, but I don't know how much or how to check if it is already 8:1 or 7:1.

I've read a bit online about getting it measured at a machine shop etc, but wondered if any of you experienced landy crew could offer any advice or ways to check etc. I don't fancy trying to figure it out by eye! haha.

have you resolved this?

Hi thanks for the reply. I got a little further but still haven't resolved this...

I took the head down to a local machine shop who said they'd have no problem skimming it but they'd need the exact measurement of how thick the metal lip at the base of the head needs to be so they can skim it down to that measurement. They said they don't measure the cylinders for cc values or anything like that and I need the measurement / thickness of what to have it skimmed to.

I can't seem to find any information on what that should be for a 8:1 series 3 head.

If anyone knows it would be a real help. Thanks again!