I had my heads cleaned and inspected at a machine shop. It only cost $30 each so I figured it was worth it. Unfortunately they found a few hair line cracks between the glow plug port and the closest valve on two different cylinders. The machinist tell me this is the common place for them to crack. Can anyone confirm? He says if they are cracked like this they need to be replaced because they will leak. Makes sense to me but I'm just looking for opinions. Do you think they need to be repaired or replaced?

Does anyone have any recommend shops to purchase re-manufactured heads?

 

not common but not uncommon either. I belive Rickatic may have a set for sale not sure. send him a pm.

 

Is it practical to repair hairline cracks?

 

all cyclinder head cracks are different. and as such should be looked at by a person that knows they are doing as removing and installing bad heads adds up quickly.

now there is a bulletin about hairline craks from ford that states something about some small cracks are ok aslong as they dont go into the valve seat. I would have to do some more digging on this.

 

They are small... They don't appear to be into the valve seat I would be afraid that they would propogate into the valve seat before too long... I would be interested to know what if any bulletins said on this issue.

 

Ricatic can help. PM if you like