Sorry, more head questions: sunken valves! What to do???

[Super Blue 72]

Sorry guys, another bunch of questions about a set of 516 heads I'm looking at.  Thanks in advance!!!!!

Here's the details of an email.  My questions and his answers in BOLD:

"What condition are they in?  THEY ARE IN NEED OF REBUILDING  I understand they need a rebuild due to 100k miles, but were they in working order when they were pulled off the engine? YES, THEY WORKIED , BUT THE EXHAUST VALVES WERE BEAT UP  Were they on a 383? 361C.I. How do the valve seats look? DIDNT LOOK AT THEM ,  Any pitting?  Have the exhaust seats been updated to hardened seats? NO , THAT WAS THE ISSUE Any pics? NO Do they come with the rocker assembly? I COULD FIND A ROCKER ASS. FOR THESE Any possible cracks? I WOULD SAY NO ,  Where's the engine they came off of? I HAVE THE ENGINE Any other details on the heads?
 
THESE ARE COMPLETELY ORIGINAL. NEVER WORKED ON. I,VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT HAD 80,000 ON IT. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. ALMOST ALWAYS ADDED THE ADDITIVE TO COOL THE EXHAUST VALVE, JUST WASNT ENOUGH.. AS EXPECTED. I KNEW THE EXHAUST VALVE WOULD SLOWLY RECEED INTO THE HEAD."


Soooooo...... with this info in mind:

--Are they salvageable???

--what is involved in fixing the exhaust valve seats?  Is it just having them machined for hardened seats?  Is this expensive?

--Do these heads seem like they're still worth $100?  Seems like they'll need some work! 

Thanks for any advice!!!!   

[HP2]

You just add the hardened seats to them and the recession is fixed along with any future problems.

Costs, well, I've noticed they tend to vary pretty widely depnding on location, shops, experience etc. For $100 set of heads, I'd probably do it.

[Super Blue 72]

Cool, thanks HP2!  You always have great advice!   

[ViperMan]

I'd tell him that the abbreviation for "assembly" is "assy," not "ass."

I'd say for $100 bucks, you won't be losing much if the machine shops they're a no-go...  Are these desirable heads?  I mean are the 516's open or closed?  What year were they built?

Jeff

[Super Blue 72]

I'd tell him that the abbreviation for "assembly" is "assy," not "ass."

I'd say for $100 bucks, you won't be losing much if the machine shops they're a no-go...  Are these desirable heads?  I mean are the 516's open or closed?  What year were they built?

Jeff

     I'll mention it to him!  J/K 

From what I understand, 516s are basically similar 915 heads except they have the 1.60 inch exhaust valve.  They are closed chamber heads.  I think they were used pre '68 but not sure when they started using them.  From what I understand the '67 383 I have may have had them stock.  These are froma '65 361ci engine.

Oh, here are some #s to look at:

Cast #2406516,  used on 361/383/413/426   from 1964-67   Int/Exh=2.08 1.60

I don't know how desireable they are but at the moment my engine doesn't have heads and I don't see Mopar heads around here too much.  If I can get them cheaper I might get them.  We'll see....

[Super Blue 72]

I just talked to the guy and he was a real nice, honest type of guy.  We talked about the work that these heads would need and he had a quote last year of over $800 for a rebuild, bigger exhaust valves, hardened seats, new guides, a little porting.....  Taking into consideration how much heads are new, this is reasonable but too much $$$ for my blood at the moment, so I think I'll chicken out at this point.

I'm in no hurry about this so I think I'll wait on this head situation.  Don't have too much moolah to play with.

[ViperMan]

That really doesn't seem too bad...  Maybe I can have 'em... 

Jeff

[bordin34]

Any used head you find should get rebuilt or at least checked over by a professional.

[ViperMan]

I know they need to be worked on, but finding a set of closed-chamber for a good price is kinda tough.


Jeff

[HP2]

We talked about the work that these heads would need and he had a quote last year of over $800 for a rebuild, bigger exhaust valves, hardened seats, new guides, a little porting..... 

So when you consider you can get new Edelbrocks with all of those features, plus lighter weight for another $400, you can see why not many people want to spring for a iron head rebuild. Porting usually costs big bucks when you pay someone to do it. With the MP porting templates, it does become considerably more affordable since the template kit is something like $25, plus carbide burrs to do the work and a months worth of weekends sniffing iron dust.

[ViperMan]

With the MP porting templates...

Do you mean Mopar Performance?  'Cause I saw those templates and I was wondering if that was just for Mopar heads or if it would apply to any aftermarket head (FOR mopars of course).

Jeff

[Super Blue 72]

That really doesn't seem too bad...  Maybe I can have 'em... 

Jeff

If you want them, you can have them.  They are in Massachusetts so shipping might cost you a couple of bucks.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/pts/541144750.html

The guy was real nice, explained me my options.  I called a local machine shop to check out how much for a rebuild and he said close to $1000.         So much for wanting these heads and being able to slap them on....

I didn't realize heads were sooo expensive.  If I'm going to go with iron heads, instead of getting used heads that I know need to be rebuilt, I would rather have someone else do all the foot work and get a set of Aeroheads or something for like $600 all done, oh toss in $80 for hardened valve seats.

http://www.aeroheadracing.com/id6.html

Like I said, I'm in no hurry so I'll just play with my headless 383 for tinkering purposes.  Autozone has a ridge reamer and honing blocks for free rental so I've heard.  That'll keep me busy for a bit. 

Thanks for your input guys!    I'm learning a lot about heads!!!

[HP2]

Do you mean Mopar Performance?  'Cause I saw those templates and I was wondering if that was just for Mopar heads or if it would apply to any aftermarket head (FOR mopars of course).

Jeff

Yes, Mopar Performance templates. They were designed specifically for stock, iron, non max wedge, mopar heads.

[Moparal]

If you want them, you can have them.  They are in Massachusetts so shipping might cost you a couple of bucks.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/pts/541144750.html

The guy was real nice, explained me my options.  I called a local machine shop to check out how much for a rebuild and he said close to $1000.         So much for wanting these heads and being able to slap them on....

I didn't realize heads were sooo expensive.  If I'm going to go with iron heads, instead of getting used heads that I know need to be rebuilt, I would rather have someone else do all the foot work and get a set of Aeroheads or something for like $600 all done, oh toss in $80 for hardened valve seats.

http://www.aeroheadracing.com/id6.html

Like I said, I'm in no hurry so I'll just play with my headless 383 for tinkering purposes.  Autozone has a ridge reamer and honing blocks for free rental so I've heard.  That'll keep me busy for a bit. 

Thanks for your input guys!    I'm learning a lot about heads!!!

I tried to reply back to your pm. It took me 10 minutes to type out and your pm box was full

[EVIL72]

 $800.00!! for 100.00 more you can have some aluminum heads from 440source that will come complete and ready to bolt on. (Id still have them checked out though)
http://www.440source.com/heads.htm