Dilema - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JPCY72 · 06-26-2009, 10:58 AM

Hey Guys,

as some of you know I have a 72 k20 with a 350/350,
the engine runs good but I think the valve guides are going bad. It burns oil pretty bad, my wife wont let me do anything further unless I fix it and cheap... Its got the 339x heads with the 1.72 intake valves and 1.5 exhaust vavles. I just got quoted 230 to knurl the guides and install new seals with a 45degree grind on the valves, I told the guy I didnt want hardend seats cause the motor isnt perm as I am going to build a 383 or a 400 down the road maybee a year. So with that said is that a good deal? I just need this thing to be reliable, I just put a new gmpp zz4 intake and a hei conversion on it so I am stuck cause I could get some heads the old vette powerpack heads for 120 but they need rebuild but will bump my compression blablalba the guys telling me that it might tear up my bottom end etcccc so I am heeding his advice and donig it conservatively. My big thing is I dont want to wast money.... Thanks -Steve

vectorit · 06-26-2009, 11:32 AM

Personally, I would see the route of doing the repair a waste of money and effort.
Since you have plans to upgrade the motor, I would go buy the heads you want to run on the new one and put them on the current engine. Then when you get the dough to do the new mill, you just have to worry about doing a short block.

Thats just me though...

danw210 · 06-26-2009, 12:05 PM

I totally agree with Vectorlit, I wouldn't bother with the head repair, I would start upgrading for the new motor that you have in mind. I too think that it would be a waste of money. Invest in the new motor but getting the heads that you want for it and put them on the current motor. My wife is he same way. She doesn't see the big picure, fix it cheap and quick, and did I mention cheap.

Ackattack · 06-26-2009, 12:20 PM

if it were me, I think I'd look into a new set of vortec heads. You'd have to get a new intake too, which kinda stinks, but I think it would be worth it.

JPCY72 · 06-26-2009, 01:10 PM

I totally hear you guys but Im towing you dont thing that vortec heads and a new intake are going to hurt the bottom end? also where can I find a set cheap??? Im on a budget I noticed that there are some replica castings on ebay not sure what to make of that though. I may scrounge in the pick a part though...

jay6891 · 06-26-2009, 01:34 PM

I would get the heads that I want to run on my new engine. Whether they be vortec or not. Not the point. Putting new head on an old engine will just put more pressure on the rings and they may start the oil burning problem all over and maybe even worse. So it doesn't really matter what you do, rebuild or new. The rings are going to take the heat. So to speak. So spend your money where it will do the most good in the long run. Brand new heads that you want, or rebuild a set that you will probably scrap when you get your dream engine. Just my opinion

Ackattack · 06-26-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPCY72

I totally hear you guys but Im towing you dont thing that vortec heads and a new intake are going to hurt the bottom end? also where can I find a set cheap??? Im on a budget I noticed that there are some replica castings on ebay not sure what to make of that though. I may scrounge in the pick a part though...

I don't know why the vortec heads would neccessarily hurt the bottom end. I recommended them cause they'll make better power, are brand new, and are pretty cheap. But like others said, if you're going to rebuild the whole engine eventually, just get the heads you really want.

If you do want vortec heads I would look at Pace and Scoggin Dickey.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/product/SD80...merIntake.aspx

Longhorn Man · 06-26-2009, 04:12 PM

I'd start with a compresion test and a leak down test.
Worn valve guides usually only smoke upon start up.... not all the time.

JPCY72 · 06-26-2009, 05:16 PM

Wow thats a good deal, I think longhorn is on the track im on. I am going to test it and see what I get. I did call the pickapart and its about 400 buks used cause he has to order them. He also said that it wouldnt be a good idea to put fresh heads on a old motor cause of blowby. Well see what kind of numbers I get from the compression test. thanks I will keep yall up to date.

06-26-2009, 10:58 AM	#1
JPCY72 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Morongo Valley Posts: 130	Dilema Hey Guys, as some of you know I have a 72 k20 with a 350/350, the engine runs good but I think the valve guides are going bad. It burns oil pretty bad, my wife wont let me do anything further unless I fix it and cheap... Its got the 339x heads with the 1.72 intake valves and 1.5 exhaust vavles. I just got quoted 230 to knurl the guides and install new seals with a 45degree grind on the valves, I told the guy I didnt want hardend seats cause the motor isnt perm as I am going to build a 383 or a 400 down the road maybee a year. So with that said is that a good deal? I just need this thing to be reliable, I just put a new gmpp zz4 intake and a hei conversion on it so I am stuck cause I could get some heads the old vette powerpack heads for 120 but they need rebuild but will bump my compression blablalba the guys telling me that it might tear up my bottom end etcccc so I am heeding his advice and donig it conservatively. My big thing is I dont want to wast money.... Thanks -Steve

06-26-2009, 11:32 AM	#2
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Dilema Personally, I would see the route of doing the repair a waste of money and effort. Since you have plans to upgrade the motor, I would go buy the heads you want to run on the new one and put them on the current engine. Then when you get the dough to do the new mill, you just have to worry about doing a short block. Thats just me though... __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

06-26-2009, 12:05 PM	#3
danw210 69 K20 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Elizabethtown, KY Posts: 426	Re: Dilema I totally agree with Vectorlit, I wouldn't bother with the head repair, I would start upgrading for the new motor that you have in mind. I too think that it would be a waste of money. Invest in the new motor but getting the heads that you want for it and put them on the current motor. My wife is he same way. She doesn't see the big picure, fix it cheap and quick, and did I mention cheap. Last edited by danw210; 06-26-2009 at 12:09 PM.

06-26-2009, 12:20 PM	#4
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Re: Dilema if it were me, I think I'd look into a new set of vortec heads. You'd have to get a new intake too, which kinda stinks, but I think it would be worth it. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

06-26-2009, 01:10 PM	#5
JPCY72 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Morongo Valley Posts: 130	Re: Dilema I totally hear you guys but Im towing you dont thing that vortec heads and a new intake are going to hurt the bottom end? also where can I find a set cheap??? Im on a budget I noticed that there are some replica castings on ebay not sure what to make of that though. I may scrounge in the pick a part though...

06-26-2009, 01:34 PM	#6
jay6891 Car Knocker Join Date: May 2001 Location: jefferson,arkansas Posts: 664	Re: Dilema I would get the heads that I want to run on my new engine. Whether they be vortec or not. Not the point. Putting new head on an old engine will just put more pressure on the rings and they may start the oil burning problem all over and maybe even worse. So it doesn't really matter what you do, rebuild or new. The rings are going to take the heat. So to speak. So spend your money where it will do the most good in the long run. Brand new heads that you want, or rebuild a set that you will probably scrap when you get your dream engine. Just my opinion __________________ 68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit.

06-26-2009, 04:12 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Dilema I'd start with a compresion test and a leak down test. Worn valve guides usually only smoke upon start up.... not all the time.

06-26-2009, 05:16 PM	#9
JPCY72 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Morongo Valley Posts: 130	Re: Dilema Wow thats a good deal, I think longhorn is on the track im on. I am going to test it and see what I get. I did call the pickapart and its about 400 buks used cause he has to order them. He also said that it wouldnt be a good idea to put fresh heads on a old motor cause of blowby. Well see what kind of numbers I get from the compression test. thanks I will keep yall up to date.



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