Heads rework - cost?

[Trip59]

Hi folks, hoping you can give me a rough idea of what I'm looking at. I stripped the 67 327 heads today. I know I need new valves, prices on them is easy, same with springs, rockers, etc. What I'm wondering is what kind of price range are guide replacements, maybe seat replacements now a days?

Trip

[tim21391]

like grind seats and knurl the guides?

[rsavage]

I made the mistake of taking a set of heads to my NAPA store for the machine work. Told them nothing fancy. $450 later I had a nothing fancy valve job. Just a few guides needed to be done and a few valves replaced. I will definitely go somewhere else for my next set.

[Trip59]

Originally Posted by tim21391

like grind seats and knurl the guides?

Replace the seats and install liners... knurling IMHO is half-assing it. Seats, well, 67 was leaded, I'd rather put in new seats.

Originally Posted by rsavage

I made the mistake of taking a set of heads to my NAPA store for the machine work. Told them nothing fancy. $450 later I had a nothing fancy valve job. Just a few guides needed to be done and a few valves replaced. I will definitely go somewhere else for my next set.

That's what I'm trying to avoid...

The heads are solid, there was just a little play in the stems, don't even know if it was too much, maybe I ought to buy a set and check the play...

[HOGDADDY]

By the time you have all that work done for a few hundred more could have got some vortecs or even Edelbrock heads and have a better head too.

[Trip59]

Ok, send me a few hundred... LOL

Actually, part of it is that I want to run them, it's a 1967 300hp 327c.i. motor. Wasn't looking to overdo it, figured stock would be nice. How bad could guides and seats be? Surely not close to a grand...

Trip

[vectorit]

If I were you, I'd find a shop that understands your point of view.

Places like Napa could give a flip about what year or how valuable the heads are.

When I did my engine work, I had a shop that worked on all kinds of old stuff. Plus they had a racing heritage that went back to the 50's, so they knew all about what I had and what I wanted. I probably spent more money in fixing upwards of 4 decades of wear, but I wanted my original stuff so that everything down the road "worked".

Those kinds of shops are getting harder to find unfortunately.

If I were to do it all again, I'd probably be looking at a set of new cast iron heads. Personally I'm not a fan of vortec heads on a stock builder, and the aluminum Edlebrocks are cool but not what I'd choose for a engine that I wanted to look like a 1960's era stock looking engine.

I think Summit had a really nice package deal on their new cast iron head kit, which from what I have read from other members here they were very pleased.

[cdowns]

i'd spend the money for modern technology in the long run it's the cheapest way out

[tim21391]

well i know its half assing it.. but i was just wondering but they showed us how to do that and its a piece of cake.. took like 2 hours..

[Trip59]

Originally Posted by tim21391

well i know its half assing it.. but i was just wondering but they showed us how to do that and its a piece of cake.. took like 2 hours..

Meant no offense man, hope it didn't come across that way. IMO, knurling is a good thing to do to stretch it a bit longer, keep something on the road, etc.

I don't want to go new, I want to keep the motor original, I scored some script Chevy valve covers and a road draft... an OEM one, to use instead of a PCV, just swapped in an Ignitor II to use a points style distributor, etc.

In fact, the only change I'm making is to use a modern carb (probably a performer) I'm going to use a modern air cleaner but am planning to chase in 'Chevrolet' in script to match the valve covers. Low alt bracket to keep the top clean (no holes on heads).

I'm thinking about buying a set of valves and checking the play, though I imagine it might be the guides that wore more than the valves...

The seats look fine to me, but I figured it'd be worth doing if they were in already. Mainly just looking for references so I don't get ripped off.

Trip

Trip

[truckdude239]

the 67 heads are good heads problem with witht the valve seats. if they have never been touched you'r looking at having the seats cut out and new hardened seats installed i was qutoed 350 a head to fix mine they are still sitting on ym work bench

[tim21391]

no man its cool no worries i agree with ya though we just knurled mine because we didnt know if we wanted new heads at the time.. but i ditched the stock ones and bought brand new aluminum heads

[BarryB]

heres what I would do for sure. Have the valve seats replaced absolute must to run this gas we have now. new valves but only if they are worn,If they can be cleaned up and aren't warped run them. Have bronze valve guides installed. reason for those is so if you ever want to, you can run stainless valves without a problem. I would say take them to a local older machine shop, and look to spend roughly 300 bucks or more. I had mine dome , but I had the whole nine yards done to them, I had right about 700 800 bucks into them with all the new parts.

[Trip59]

Originally Posted by BarryB

heres what I would do for sure. Have the valve seats replaced absolute must to run this gas we have now. new valves but only if they are worn,If they can be cleaned up and aren't warped run them. Have bronze valve guides installed. reason for those is so if you ever want to, you can run stainless valves without a problem. I would say take them to a local older machine shop, and look to spend roughly 300 bucks or more. I had mine dome , but I had the whole nine yards done to them, I had right about 700 800 bucks into them with all the new parts.

7-8 each or 7-8 for the pair?

The valves were worn to hell, I had hoped to just clean the heads up and run, but they had a noticable slop to them.



Trip

[Diablo de la Noche]

I have a '86 GM Goodwrench 350 and I was quoted 400 on rebuilt heads (total for the pair) with stiffer springs, that's if I trade in my old heads. They are in pretty good condition. I was told that was a little steep, though.

[dirtyd_nd]

Trip,
Take them to Dover heads over off of Wells industrial loop. Everyone I've talked to in this area says that's the place to go. I have yet to drop mine off. Lack of funds. But I did stop buy and they were going to do the heads on my 454 for $500 with parts. They'll do a port and polish if you want also. But then the price starts to rise fairly quick.
Dale

[Trip59]

Originally Posted by dirtyd_nd

Trip,
Take them to Dover heads over off of Wells industrial loop. Everyone I've talked to in this area says that's the place to go. I have yet to drop mine off. Lack of funds. But I did stop buy and they were going to do the heads on my 454 for $500 with parts. They'll do a port and polish if you want also. But then the price starts to rise fairly quick.
Dale

Awesome! I'll call them today!

Not looking for port/polish, might gasket match them myself, but it's great to know they CAN do it too...

Trip

[Trip59]

$350 for the pair plus parts...(valves, springs, etc. the guides and seats are included)

sounds damn reasonable to me.