The machine shop is done with the head and I should be able to pick it up tomorrow.
I aquirred a "new to me" offy c to add to the mixmix with studs. Have some felpro intake/ exhaust gaskets ready but are their better options?
Pretty sure I'll have to get some pushrods too. But am not 100% on that yet.
I've never done a head change before but am not scared of it since I recently picked up a used 325i and no longer am required to have the truck back together daily. I Plan on following a Haynes manual for the install but is their anything that I should pay particular attention to. Best head gasket, should I use new head bolts, any solvents or soaking/trimming of the gaskets recommended?

 

The biggest issue you'll run into when installing the head is how heavy it is. It's a LONG reach out into the engine bay with that head in your hands. Trying to put it out there without damaging the headgasket is not easy. Granted, having an engine hoist negates all that since you can just chain it up and swing it out.

If you don't have one, this is how I did it:

 

Oh, and a good gasket to use is the Mr. Gasket #260.

 

I picked up a #260 gasket, thanks. Still waiting on the head though. They said it'd be done, its not, you all know the story.

Anyways, I'm trying to make sure that I'm ready when it is done and the only thing that I'm questioning is pushrods.
Will I need to or would it be wise for me to get some new and stronger pushrods?

 

You really should get a push rod length checking tool. With a head that is unknown ( as far as the amount it has been decked in the past ) you might need custom length pushrods to keep the correct valvetrain geometry. I wouldn't buy new ones until you confirm the length that is needed.

 

I agree that the lengths will have to be determined and I will be borrowing a length tool to figure that out. What I'm asking is if its worth it to buck up and get chromoly versus steel? I know that the chromoly is more expensive but don't really know the benefits, if it's worth it or needed.

 

They are long push rods. So if you have heavier valve springs, higher ratio rocker arms or a higher lift cam then stronger push rods are a very good idea.

I'd step up to 3/8" push rods. But that will require getting the pushrod guide slots in the head machined larger and possibly longer.

 

I made some headway today as far as getting this done. My guy has been ill and I've been patient.
The head is cleaned up, reseated and done as far as machining goes.

The issues delaying now:
1: the machinists can't find 1.73 rocker arms that fit the 7/16 studs. Switch to 3/8 or are they available in 7/16th?
2: roller tipped or full roller? He claims about $100 difference and durability as a bonus. Any performance advantage worth $100 for tipped versus full roller?
3: the previously stated pushrod length that I will deal with later. Race shops everywhere here in Charlotte so I'll be able to get some off a shelf somewhere when I need them. Pushrod length check tool to be acquired. Gonna cross my fingers and hope new 3/8 will clear or that the passages had already previously been cut. Thanks for the heads up on that.

 

I'm using Comp Cams BBC rockers for 7/16 stud

Comp 1620-12 are the full roller 1.7 rockers

The 1823-16 are the 1.73 full roller but only seem to be available in sets of 16.

The 1411-16 is the roller tip 1.72

 

Is this catastrophic?

 

how did it happen??... did you do it on assembly, or was it previously cracked while the engine was together

 

My machinist was giving me a steal of a deal on some rockers and 3/8 studs that those rockers fit. My studs are 7/16. I sprayed pb blaster, waited 5 minutes and then slowly started backing out the old stud. It cracked almost immediately. It was glued in and the old stud broke off.

 

fixable
remove broken stud
spot face
re-tap
install a longer stud

 

That lifts me out of a deep depression. I almost cried when it happened. I was all set to get everything back together and measure the pushrods for ordering.
That's what I get for trying to save a buck. It was the first one I attempted so I'm not risking anymore. I will be ordering the comp cams 1823-16 rockers now that pmuller had suggested as they fit the 7/16th. I found an 8 pack of rockers and they sell singles on amazon so I won't have to buy 16 of them. I'll just have to save up a little longer now.

 

The chambers ended up at 68cc.