I think I'm just gonna have a local shop redo mine they claim they can do it for about 400 for basically everything new and hardned seats so we'll see.
head companys
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 1
From: NE Ga
not sure about their engine heads but i know the heads of the parts guys usually don't listen, tend to shake alot, and are quiet if the screen in front of them doesn't tell them what to say...mostly autozone and the napa near me.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
In general, brand-name places that sell rebuilt heads or motors, the quality isn't that great.
The valve guides may be knurled which will only last 10-20K miles, the seats are "touched up", the valve faces are touched up, and never checked for contact width. The valve stems may be worn but never checked, etc. etc. They are "dime store" heads, if you know what I mean.
Whenever I did my own heads (at my friend's machine shop) and no matter how good his equipment was kept, I always put some valve lapping compound on the valve and spun it around a few times to make SURE the seat width and contact was perfect all the way around. (I know, sounds antiquated, but it doesn't hurt to check).
If your local shop is doing guides and hardened seats for $400, that sounds VERY reasonable. Try to get a magnaflux out of them too
The valve guides may be knurled which will only last 10-20K miles, the seats are "touched up", the valve faces are touched up, and never checked for contact width. The valve stems may be worn but never checked, etc. etc. They are "dime store" heads, if you know what I mean.
Whenever I did my own heads (at my friend's machine shop) and no matter how good his equipment was kept, I always put some valve lapping compound on the valve and spun it around a few times to make SURE the seat width and contact was perfect all the way around. (I know, sounds antiquated, but it doesn't hurt to check).
If your local shop is doing guides and hardened seats for $400, that sounds VERY reasonable. Try to get a magnaflux out of them too
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,430
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From: NH
A go the local parts store (4 or 5 stores state wide) that has a machine shop. Haven't done much with them but have been happy with there head work(4 cyl sohc) and drum turns. I also get a great price after I started an account with them.
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: CT
When you order heads from these places can you specify the type of heads your looking for? Like low riser or meduim riser etc...?? Or do they just send you whatever castings are available? I've never sourced heads from these places and just curious what they have available.
G.
G.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by FFR428
When you order heads from these places can you specify the type of heads your looking for? Like low riser or meduim riser etc...?? Or do they just send you whatever castings are available? I've never sourced heads from these places and just curious what they have available.
G.
G.
I wouldn't expect them to give you a C7 head for a '74 360, but they just might.
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Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Krewat thanks for the info. I did go on NAPA online and see they offer a C7 and or D2 casting. I saw some mention of a C8 there also. I didn't see any heads earlier than the C7's though.
G.
G.
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