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General Information => General => Topic started by: srgtlord on January 27, 2012, 09:13:26 am

Title: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: srgtlord on January 27, 2012, 09:13:26 am
I pulled the head off of my water seized  1.6 and wanted to refresh the little bits that wear out. How would I go about doing so? P.S. I have no head specific tools.
Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: ORCoaster on January 27, 2012, 11:24:34 am
You're thinking the valve sleeves and stem seals?  Maybe adjust the clearance by slipping in different adjustment shims? 

I go for renting the tools from the local auto shop.  Sometimes called a loaner policy.  You buy, use, return and get money back, no deduction. 


Some on forum have tools to loan if in your area. 

Is this what you had in mind?
Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: rallydiesel on January 27, 2012, 12:23:01 pm
If there is nothing wrong with it, and you are not looking for performance mods, then I wouldn't bother touching it. I would only rebuild it if there was valve damage, poor compression despite good bores/rings, failed lifters, warped head or a damaged stem seal.
Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on January 27, 2012, 01:18:53 pm
If there is nothing wrong with it, and you are not looking for performance mods, then I wouldn't bother touching it. I would only rebuild it if there was valve damage, poor compression despite good bores/rings, failed lifters, warped head or a damaged stem seal.

x2

if it had no running problems, then i would MAYBE replace the valve stem seals, AT MOST..

if its got loose valve guides, or any other issues like that, then i could understand it.. but just rebuilding it because, thats kinda a waste if you ask me.. i would measure everything, and see if anything is out of spec.. or, like was said, if it came off a running engine, just clean it good and drop it on your engine..
Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: srgtlord on January 27, 2012, 08:48:43 pm
There was some slight water corrosion on the valve that was slightly open. The head was from an engine with unknown history.
Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: ORCoaster on January 27, 2012, 08:51:31 pm
I'm with R.O.R on this one.  Clean it up good, measure for within specs and correct only what is necessary.  If head is flat and straight slap it down, torque it up and run with it.  '

Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: bajacalal on January 28, 2012, 10:28:33 am
There's a machine shop in my town that will only charge you $20 if all you want them to do is replace the valve stems seals.

That makes buying the special tools uneconomical. Call around to places, it's not hard to replace the seals but you need the right tools.

I would replace the valve stem seals and the front cam seal and run it.
Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on January 28, 2012, 11:47:41 am
There's a machine shop in my town that will only charge you $20 if all you want them to do is replace the valve stems seals.

That makes buying the special tools uneconomical. Call around to places, it's not hard to replace the seals but you need the right tools.

I would replace the valve stem seals and the front cam seal and run it.

you can make a tool to do it in about 10 mins, for free..
Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: 8v-of-fury on January 28, 2012, 02:48:42 pm
It's only $20. At that price, I'd pay for it to be done just out of convenience.
Title: Re: Used head, no cracks, Now what?
Post by: rs899 on January 28, 2012, 05:58:47 pm
Has anyone here ever replaced valve guides by themselves?